Salty Medjool Caramel Dip

I've been mildly obsessed with dates lately.  It all started in April with the vegan caramels I whipped up--they were delicious.  Heavens, dates alone are delicious, I eat them like candy.  So when I saw the photograph and recipe at V.K. Rees Photography of salty date caramel, I had to give it a go.  You should too :)  The dip is rich and creamy, and the salt rounds out the flavor exquisitely. 

Cheater's Apple Pie

• 3 lbs apples (peeled and sliced)
• 2 Tbs minute tapioca
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1 Tbs lemon juice
• Dash of salt
• 1 Package pie crust (feel free to make your own... I am no pastry connoisseur..)

1. Heat the oven to 400°F
2. Combine apples, tapioca, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and salt in a large bowl.  Allow to sit for 15 minutes.
3. Line a 9-inch pie pan with first crust and fill with apple mixture.  Cover with the top crust, seal, and flute the edges (curl them in and make them look pretty).  Cut a few slits in the top crust.
4. Bake 45-50 minutes, or until oozy bubbles are forming that pop slowly, and crust is golden brown.

Yields 8-12 servings