Recipe for Baked Apples

A French Idiom Explained

This recipe for baked apples is called Pommes Bonne Femme in French. You will find many simple recipes in France with the term bonne femme tacked on the end. The literal translation would be Good Woman Apples, but bonne femme, or good woman, has several additional meanings in French.

Often when people refer to a woman as a bonne femme, it is because she is old and feeble. Which is sort of funny because one of the meanings of a bonhomme (or good man) is an old man in robust shape.

You will also hear people use the term bonne femme in a derogatory fashion referring to a peasant woman, or someone who they are assuming to be simple minded. Not too complimentary really.

Apples with a Good Reputation

But it is possible this recipe for baked apples got its name for a different reason. According to some linguists the term bonne femme, when applied to things like recipes or medical remedies, actually derives from the latin words bona fama, referring to something of good reputation. So perhaps these apples are well known for being good.

They certainly are in our house. I made this recipe with Pink Ladies, and although the apples lost all of their pretty blush, the results were outstanding for minimal effort. The house smelt divine!

To give this dessert the extra French touch, sprinkle with a few toasted slivered almonds and a teaspoon of red currant jelly.

Pommes Bonne Femme

• 6 cooking apples (Pink Lady give delicious results)
• 3 tablespoons softened butter
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 cup raisins (optional)
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• toasted slivered almonds and red currant jelly (optional)

Mix the butter, sugar, cinnamon and raisins (if you are using them) and spoon the mixture into the cored apples. Add two tablespoons of water to the baking dish and place in a 400°F oven for one hour. Bake until soft (may take longer if the apples are large).

Serve warm and drizzled with cream and any sauce on the bottom of the baking dish.

Makes 6 servings

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