PASTRY TULIP CUPS WITH CARAMELIZED APPLE FILLING

Steps:

• In a large skillet, stir apples with butter and sugar over medium heat until butter melts. Add vanilla bean to mixture. Increase heat to medium-high and cook, stirring frequently, until apples are brown and caramelized- about 30 minutes. Remove vanilla bean. Pour off any excess butter and add the Calvados. Cook for 1 minute more over high heat, scraping up any caramel from bottom of the pan. Stir in lemon juice. Whip cream until thickened; add confectioners' sugar gradually and continue to whip until very stiff. While still warm, spoon apple mixture into Pastry Tulip Cups and top each with a large dollop of the freshly whipped cream. Pastry Tulip Cups: Stack phyllo with butter brushed between the sheets. Cut into 4-inch squares. Press each square into a buttered muffin tin, pressing the bottom flat and folding excess dough to create a petal effect on the sides. Bake in the bottom third of a 375° oven for 10-12 minutes or until golden. Remove from muffin tins and cool on a rack. Editor's Extra: Filling is good in pastry cups, too. Yum!