Apple Crisp

Desserts

By Dixya

Last week I got a news, an unexpected and a devastating one. A person I have known of for almost a year or so suddenly passed away. I am sure we all have or will lose people to illness, aging, and accidents but a suicide..it was something no one saw coming. We as an outsider assumed that the person had a pretty perfect life and was living the dream…only to find out we were so very wrong.

I have been having many thoughts and questions repeating in my head. I just want to ask the person..What was so hard in your life that you chose to end it? You are no longer here but did you for once think about your family? Your friends? Everyone is looking for answers…but there aren’t any. All there is left are parents without a child, confused relatives, and friends who are still in shock and sorely hurt.

We all have problems and fair share of ups and downs but even if you are in your lowest of the lows, please don’t choose death over life. Talk to your loved ones, ask for help, if one door closes, look for another one…no matter how big the problem is there is always a solution. Always.

I am guilty of taking things for granted and you will find me complaining about things that really don’t matter..but when faced with calamities such as this one, it makes you really appreciate little things in life. Today I am just thankful to be here writing this..and thankful to have all of you reading this from where ever you are.

Apple Crisp

I am pretty boring when it comes to breakfast; its either some sort of oats (toasted oatmeal, Bircher museli) or scrambled eggs tucked between bread. To avoid a breakfast rut, I really needed a change hence I made this apple crisp from Smitten Kitchen with a few changes. I scaled down the recipe to make three-single serving ramekins as well.

Makes 3 ramekin dish

Ingredients
1 large honey crisp ( it weighed about 12 oz) peeled, cored and cut into small chunks
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1.5 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon cinnamon
3 tablespoons butter or coconut oil
3 tablespoons 100% pure maple syrup or use honey
2 tablespoons 100% whole wheat flour
1/2 cup + 2 tablespoon old fashioned oats
3 tablespoons chopped nut ( I used almond, cashews, and pecans)
3 tablespoons shredded coconut ( I used sweetened but unsweetened works too

Directions

– Preheat the oven to 400°F.
– In a large bowl, mix apple with lemon juice, sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon and pinch of salt.

– Divide apples equally into three well-greased ramekin dish.

– In a small saucepan, melt the butter, then add maple syrup. Slowly add flour, oats, nuts, and coconut. Add another pinch of cinnamon if desired.

– Cover the apple mixture with oats, dividing them equally.

– Bake them in the oven for about 50 minutes, until the apples are soft and top is toasted and slightly brown.

– Remove from the oven and let it cool down. Cover it with plastic wrap and store in the fridge for your breakfast next morning with a dollop of yogurt..or as a dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream.

Even though I never got to meet you in person, you will always be a very big and important part of my life. May God have mercy on your soul…