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Sunday, February 20, 2011

Recovery: Ten Minute Apple Crisp

To me, a sure sign of recovery is finding time to take pleasure in the things that you did before whatever life event happened to you, happened.  I'll never forget one of the first things I really wanted to do after I had my son was make an apple pie.  Having a newborn makes finding time for apple pie pretty challenging, especially if you're spending an hour breastfeeding and then have just an hour and change to go to the bathroom and do the other things you need to do before the whole process starts all over again.

This time, I knew I definitely wasn't going to have time for apple pie, especially given that when my son gets home I want to spend time with him, too.  But I did think I might have time for an apple crisp, and I had some apples in the refrigerator that had been long overdue for use.  So I tossed together one that I'm sharing the recipe for below, originally given to me by my friend C. (who also brought the pot pie in my previous post), and was pleased that it came together in about ten minutes, long enough that my husband was able to hold and try to quiet the baby, who had just woken up, hungry, as usual.

We also got out for a few walks this past week, and enjoyed the fact that it was in the 50s and 60s ... warm enough that I found myself taking off my jacket to fully appreciate the warmer weather.  Breathing in what felt like spring, it was hard not to feel like things were back on the road to normal, that I could live with a little less sleep, that I could figure out this whole two-child-family delicate balance.

I know myself well enough to know that this state of mind will probably not last (and it's supposed to snow again tonight), but it was nice to feel a little bit more like myself again.  Perhaps you'll have time to throw one of these together, too, and go for a short walk while it's baking.


Ten Minute Apple Crisp

3 lg. crispy apples (granny smith or other sweet-tart variety)
2 handfuls of dried cranberries(or pears, blueberries, peaches, etc.)
1 c. oatmeal
several dashes of cinnamon
1/2 c. flour
1/3 c. brown sugar (or less, or 1/4 c. agave nectar)
5 T. butter, melted

Chop apples and rub with lemon to prevent browning. Toss in cranberries.

Mix oatmeal, cinnamon, flour, brown sugar and melted butter to slightly moisten mix. You can also add a dash of allspice, crumbled almonds, peanut butter, etc.

Drop mix on top of apples in dish and bake 350 for a little over 30 min. (until the top is slightly brown and apples have softened).

Enjoy with some whipped cream, if you're feeling both hungry and decadent like I was!

9 comments:

  1. inBetweenFebruary 20, 2011 at 10:43 AM

    So wonderful to hear you are feeling pretty good and somewhat yourself! Sorry about the impending snow, hopefully it won't coup you up into the house too long.

    And thanks for the recipe -- I am going to try this one, it is about on my level of quick and easy!

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  2. JennFebruary 20, 2011 at 4:18 PM

    Very glad to hear you are beginning to feel like yourself a bit again! That is a lovely little thing, even if it doesn't last for long. :) Have been thinking of you and hoping the stress from work has died down a bit. xx

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  3. AnonymousFebruary 20, 2011 at 4:54 PM

    Looks yummy - and I'm glad you've had a taste of spring/recovery even if it is only brief. ((HUGS))

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  4. a field of dreamsFebruary 20, 2011 at 7:03 PM

    This recipe is something I have been looking forward too considering my pre-diabetes and acid reflux diagnosis of recent. Thank you and apples are a great source of fibre. So happy that you could venture out in warmer weather even for a brief moment. I love those days and those little walks.

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  5. NFebruary 20, 2011 at 7:08 PM

    Glad all is well. I too am beginning to wonder how I will with take care of two children. Particularly with the breastfeeding each hour part. That is exactly how my daughter was. Apple crisp looks yummy. My mom's specialty is peach raspberry crisp. Yum, I just love those. I don't know if your son likes to cook, my my daughter LOVES to help and even has watched a bit of cooks country kitchen with me. Who knows how long she will like to cook with me but I love it for now.

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  6. AndieFebruary 21, 2011 at 2:26 AM

    I'm so glad that you had some time to go for walks, that spring is springing, and you are starting to feel like yourself. I love the dish.We call that an apple crumble here, yuuuuummmm. :)Now I want one.

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  7. RachelFebruary 21, 2011 at 11:58 AM

    Wow, I'm so impressed that you're cooking again already. While I'm not yet balancing two (maybe tonight? maybe tomorrow?) this recipe looks just about short enough for my current attention span/energy level.

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  8. LisaFebruary 21, 2011 at 6:37 PM

    After you posted this recipe, I made this for friends last night, and it was a huge hit. I served with vanilla ice cream and I liked the fact that the crisp wasn't too sweet. It felt like a pretty healthy dessert. Thanks for sharing!

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  9. AdeleFebruary 25, 2011 at 5:51 PM

    Ah, apple crisp. I love apple crisp. Strangely enough, I have been looking for a good recipe (though we have a terrible oven that does not permit the browning of anything).

    Glad you got out for a few walks. Glad that you had a little time of feeling more like yourself.

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