Apple Cinnamon Packages

I forgot how hard it is to cook in this city, especially when your sporadic work schedule requires a lot of travel time and a decent meal is one click away.  My take-out binge has been a bit out of control these past few weeks and there simply hasn't been enough time between my travels to do a proper grocery haul.  I really was craving  something — anything —homemade.  I had some leftover phyllo pastry in the freezer that I meant to use before my trip to Europe in September, and a few apples that have been living in my fridge for who knows how long. This recipe, inspired by the berry packages recipe from French Cookbook's berry packages, is better than apple pie.  These simple, delicious packages are the ultimate holiday treat, that even novice bakers (myself included in that mix), can throw together.

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Apple Cinnamon Packages in Phyllo Pastry Makes 4

3 medium apples (baking apples, check out the best types here), sliced

8 sheets of Phyllo dough 1 tablespoon cinnamon

2 tablespoons of honey (alternatively, use brown sugar)

1 tablespoon of vanilla

4 tablespoon of melted butter Fresh cracked black pepper

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl toss together apples, cinnamon, honey, and vanilla.

Unroll phyllo pastry dough and spread it out on a lightly floured work surface.  Brush each sheet of dough with melted butter and fold in half, creating 4 stacks of 4 dough rectangles.  This will help prevent them drying out and ensure the dough is crispy.

Arrange apples in the middle third of each dough, leaving a 1-inch border along the edges and remaining dough free to fold over.  Top each apple portion with black pepper.

Working with each dough-and-fruit stack at a time, brush the edge of the dough again with some of the remaining butter.  Fold the righ-hand side of the dough over to cover the fruit, then fold the left-hand side over to cover the dough and frui.  Gently pinch the open top and bottom edges together and tuck them under to make sure the package is well sealed.  Repeat until you've assembled 4 packages, using all fruit.

Transfer the packages onto a greased baking sheet and sprinkle with cinnamon.  Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown.  Serve warm.