The Seven Series: Greed

The fourth crippling sin, Greed, spares no one when embraced

A want, need and liking are a part of one’s internal satisfaction and as we transcend from one level to another when procuring these needs or wants, which are intentionally absorbed from our surroundings or caught from what’s thrown at us from the universe, the word “more” comes into the picture. We tend to raise the bar higher with each need and want met and at some point you reach a level when sky’s not the limit and you want the world.

Greed infests our minds like a parasite; it corrupts, breeds and spreads with such intensity that the only reason why it stays and grows is because it makes the embracer feel powerful, unfortunately with treason. Material needs are the ones responsible for developing greed and if ones not pragmatic in life well then he/she invites immorality.

An excessive desire to acquire materialistic needs is a difficult feeling to wave off, all the more since world over, people strive to create needs and wants for personal gain and it’s natural to get swayed. You have to realize one thing, no matter how much you gain and procure, there is never going to be enough. You have to choose to appreciate what you deserve and make it your personal embargo. Limit your choices, see less and think more when scrutinizing other’s wealth, status and power, it’s all an eyewash.

The next forbidden fruit variety which describes this sin perfectly well is the Golden Delicious Apple. A large rotund fruit with a sunshine yellow skin and soft mushy interior, its all shiny and rich on the outside but the internals tend to contuse if kept for too long. Undoubtedly sweet, it’s the perfect apple for baking.

This next course comprises of a full baked apple stuffed with earthy flavors of oats, salt less butter, lemon and brown sugar to compliment the sweetness of the apple. This golden dish shall make other dishes shy away and makes for a royal vision on the dining table.

Golden Baked Apple with Sweet & Tangy Rolled Oats Stuffing

A rich and juicy indulgence in the form of a full fruit stuffed with rolled oats mix building up the earthy flavors with nutty undertones. A perfect side dish with spicy roast chicken or a light braised fish main course.

Ingredients

(For one Baked & Stuffed Apple)

• 1 Golden Delicious Apple
• ¼ cup Rolled Oats
• 1 tablsp lightly toasted Bread Crumbs
• 1 tablsp Brown Sugar
• 1 tsp Lemon Juice
• 1 tablsp Unsalted Butter
• 1 tablsp Chopped mixed nuts (with or without raisins)
• A pinch of powdered Star Anise and Mace
• 1 cup warm water

Prepare the apple but slicing off the top an inch from the top. Take your corer and start coring the apple from the middle, be careful as the flesh is extremely supple and cores smoothly. Leave about a centimeter on the wall of the apple.

Chop up the cored portion place in a bowl. Toss the oats, unsalted butter, lightly toasted bread crumbs and brown sugar in the chopped apple and mix thoroughly, season with spices and lemon juice and mix in the nuts.

In a baking tray, place the apple in the middle of the tray. Pour a cup of warm water in the pan, be careful not to splash any water into the stuffed apple but ensuring it’s around it like a shallow pool. The pan should be large enough (about 6 inches) so as to not make a deep pool.

Place the baking tray in the oven and set the temperature to 160C. Bake the apple for about 30 minutes or until the wall feels tender when touched. Remove from baking tray and serve hot as a side dish with spicy roasted chicken, steamed rice and brown sauce.

Hold on for the fifth series as they get wilder in the next course …