Monday, August 27, 2012

Apple Crisp



We've been having a terrible drought here in Missouri.  Just awful.  And yesterday we got the smallest bit of rain, but we did get some good mist and clouds (just a break in the baking heat is enough to be thankful for).  And what does a little bit of "cozy weather" do to me?  Makes me want to cook something, of course!  It wasn't cool outside but inside I was lazy, laying around watching TV, crocheting.  Just looking outside at the mist made me crave fall food.  But, in my laziness I definitely didn't want to go to the store.  I was out of eggs so baking cookies or a cake was out of the question (although I actually could have made my eggless, Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake).  What could I make? 

I always have lots of oats on hand (for making my favorite Chocolate Chip Baked Oatmeal), and I had three apples in my fruit bowl starting to look a little puny, so Apple Crisp was on the menu!  I love finding ways to use what I have in my pantry.

I drug out my old trusty BETTY CROCKER'S COOKBOOK and found an easy recipe for making Apple Crisp.  It turned out great.  Chewy and sweet with yummy cinnamon.  Easy, and perfect for using the three apples I had in my fruit bowl.

Here's how I made Apple Crisp AT HOME MY WAY:


Apple Crisp
 
  •  4 cups sliced, peeled tart apples (3 large or 4 medium apples)
  • 2/3 to 3/4 cups brown sugar (I used closer to 3/4 but could have used less)
  • 1/2 cup flour (all purpose, unbleached is best)
  • 1/2 cup oats (quick or old fashioned would work here)
  • 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (original recipe called for 3/4 teaspoon)
  • 1/3 cup margarine or butter, softened
 
Instructions:  Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Arrange apples in sprayed square pan or pie plate (8 inch).  Mix remaining ingredients, adding margarine/butter last.  Cut in the margarine/butter with a fork until all crumbly.  Pour topping evenly over the apples. 
 
Bake 30 minutes.  Serve warm (with ice cream if you have it).
 
 
 
 
 
One of the things my mom taught me in all things frugal is never to waste a hot oven.  So... while the oven was hot, I also baked a loaf of homemade White Sandwich Bread.  Oh man!  It was delicious.  I have to confess that I usually save this loaf to cool and slice for sandwiches but my husband just had this puppy dog look on his face when he realized we weren't going to eat any.  Pitiful!  What is wrong with me?  You should never, ever, let a loaf of hot, fresh bread cool without sharing a couple of slices slathered in melted butter with the one you love! 
 
 
Here's what it looked like BEFORE we sliced it.  And it WAS delicious!  Job security, that's what I tell my husband.  He could never find another woman who would bake him fresh loaves of bread, right?  LOL!