Autumn is one of my favorite seasons. The crisp cool air and the array of colors that dance before my eyes is a special treat after the hot summer months of steady green.
It’s a joyous season for gatherings with family and friends to share the season’s bounty of autumn fruits, squashes, and vegetables. It’s a time for cooking together and sharing as the sun sets. I love passing by my neighbors’ houses and enjoying quick glances into their windows as I make my way home each evening!
One of my favorite fruits during this season is freshly picked apples.
Apples are picked in the autumn and may be stored quite awhile before they’re sold, so to make sure you’re selecting the freshest apples, check the bottom of the apple (the opposite end of the stem-where the apple blossom used to be). Look for light green instead of a yellow to brown color.
When buying apples, make sure you buy organic. Apples are sprayed heavily with chemicals that penetrate its skin. Since apples are in season, it is easier to find organic ones on sale. If you buy from a local orchard, make sure to ask whether or not the apples have been sprayed. Buying local doesn’t mean organic.
For weeks we have been enjoying an apple cobbler that’s made with no added sweetener in its apple filling and no grain in its topping. The filling’s sweetness comes directly from the sweetness of the apples. The almond flour topping gets its sweetness from the sweetness of the freshly ground almonds and coconut crystals. For added sweetness, this apple cobbler must be served hot to melt the dollop of vanilla ice cream. No, I’m just kidding!! You can add the dollop of ice cream for festive occasions, but serving this cobbler hot will make it taste sweeter. I recently served it cool and it tasted like a totally different dessert. Please serve this apple cobbler hot!
Hot Apple Cobbler
Serves 9
Preheat oven 350°
8×8 inch baking dish
Ingredients for apple filling:
1. four to six organic sweet apples-Delicious or Gala or sweet apples of your choice
2. one teaspoon of cinnamon
3.one teaspoon of vanilla
4. pinch of salt
5. one eighth cup of filtered water
6. one half cup of (soaked and dehydrated) walnuts-optional
Ingredients for topping:
1. two cups of almonds (soaked, skin removed, and dehydrated)
2. one teaspoon of vanilla
3. pinch of salt
4. one teaspoon of baking soda
5. four Tablespoons of coconut oil
6. two Tablespoons of coconut crystals
Directions for filling:
1. Core and slice apples into six wedges lengthwise. Slice each wedge into 1/8 to 1/4 inches pieces. Try to cut each piece approximately the same size for uniform cooking. Place in a pot.
(You may want to place all the apple pieces into your baking dish to make sure there are enough apple pieces. If not enough, add more apple pieces.)
2. Add cinnamon.
3. Add vanilla.
4. Add pinch of salt.
5. Add water.
6. Toss in pot.
7. Cover and cook until desired softness. While the apples are cooking, make the topping.
8. Add walnut (optional)
Directions for Topping:
1. Grind almonds in food processor or blender. Place in a large bowl.
2. Add vanilla
3. Add salt.
4. Add baking soda.
5. Add coconut crystals.
6. Add coconut oil.
7. Mix.
8. Add cooked apples into baking dish.
9. Spoon liquidy topping onto apples. Spread each spoonful with spatula for an even thickness. Leave a slight space between each spoonful to prevent the liquid from overflowing from the sides as it bakes.
10. Bake for 35 minutes 0r until topping is golden.
11. Serve hot!
Suggestions and Accommodations:
1. To enhance your eating pleasure of this delicious hot apple cobbler, may I suggest that you pair it with the viewing of my painting, Apples.
2.. I’ve used soaked hazelnuts in place of almonds for the topping. The cobbler will have a richer taste, a delicious alternative.
3.. For protein types, top with yogurt or add walnuts to the filling.
4. For a festive occasion, add some ice cream or some whipped cream.
5. This is a quick and easy dessert. It doesn’t have to have the exact measurements for each ingredient. Since there aren’t any eggs in this recipe, you can taste-test as you make changes to the amount of each ingredient. Try some adding some nutmeg or allspice.
6. This is a great recipe for baking with children. Taste and experiment as you adjust the ingredients to your taste—a good lesson in creating with your palate instead of following a set recipe. Allow children to participate in adding the ingredients and tasting to adjust the amount of ingredients while they’re cold. Take extra care when the ingredients are hot.
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