Grilled Apple Slices with Caramel-Mascarpone Cream (Pacific Northwest)

Ingredients

• 4  pippin apples cored cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger 
• 0.3 cup hazelnuts toasted chopped (see Cook's Note)
• 0.3 cup heavy cream at room temperature
• 0.5 cup maple syrup 
• 8 ounces mascarpone cheese at room temperature
• 3 tablespoons safflower oil 
• 2 tablespoons butter unsalted at room temperature

Equipment

• bowl
• frying pan
• sauce pan
• whisk
• grill
• grill pan

Directions

1. Watch how to make this recipe.
2. Place a grill pan over medium-high heat or preheat a gas or charcoal grill. Spray the grill pan with vegetable oil cooking spray.
3. In a medium bowl, toss together the apple slices and safflower oil. Grill until lightly charred, about 2 minutes on each side. In a small bowl, combine the cinnamon and ginger.
4. Sprinkle the cinnamon mixture over the grilled apple slices.
5. For the cream: In a 1-quart saucepan, combine the maple syrup, cream and butter over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil and cook, until the mixture turns golden, about 4 minutes. Set the pan aside to cool slightly.
6. Add the mascarpone cheese and whisk until the mixture is smooth.
7. Divide the apple slices among 4 small plates.
8. Drizzle with the cream.
9. Sprinkle with the chopped hazelnuts and serve.