BRAISED STUFFED BEEF HEART

Steps:

• Season meat inside and out with salt and pepper.
• Stuff heart with prunes and chopped apple.
• Close opening with skewers.
• Melt 2 tablespoons of the shortening in a heavy pan with a lid.
• Brown meat on all sides,
• Remove meat from pan.
• Add onion and remaining shortening.
• Saute onion until softened.
• Return meat to pan.
• Add water.
• Cover and simmer 1 1/2 hours, or until meat is tender, adding more water if necessary.
• Add apple halves to pan.
• Cover and simmer 15 minutes, or until tender.
• Remove meat and apples to serving plate and keep warm.
• Place onion and pan drippings in bowl of food processor and puree.
• Place 2 teaspoons jelly in each apple half.
• Slice meat across the grain and serve with pureed onion mixture.
• Variation: Instead of fruit, stuff heart with fresh parsley.