Queen of Oats

“You are quite the chef of oats and fruits.”

-One of my favourite compliments, from Stratford Shakespeare Festival actress Dalal Badr

I find the combination of fruit and whole grains irresistible…even dried fruit (especially in winter as an alternative to Ontario apples). This February I stockpiled whole oats and dried cranberries, creating both a gift-worthy granola and a brunch party crisp. Perfect for those cold and sunny winter mornings with friends.

Katie’s Apple Crisp

Instructions are fairly approximate. Throw in what you feel like and I’m sure it will still turn out to be delicious.

Preheat oven to 350 – with rack in the centre of oven
Butter a baking dish or individual ramekins or a deep pie plate…

Topping:
½ cup all purpose flour

¼ cup brown sugar

¼ cup (or less is fine) white sugar

½ tsp cinnamon

¼ tsp nutmeg

1/8 tsp (or a pinch) of salt

¼ cup unsalted butter cut into small pieces

1/3 cup old fashioned rolled oats (not quick cooking or instant)

1/3 cup chopped nuts (I used small pieces of almonds without their skins)

Prepare in a food processor (or use two knives or your fingers) until mixture is crumbly and no large pieces of butter are visible.

Filling:

6 cups of apple pieces (about…6 or 7 sm to med apples, whatever fills your dish), any really will work, I used some Ida Red and Golden Delicious – peel, core and cut.

½ cup dried cranberries or however many you like – or 1 cup fresh berries

Juice of l/2 lemon, 1 tsp lemon zest (optional, if you have a lemon around)

3 tbsps sugar

Place apple pieces in a large bowl, and the berries and lemon zest if using. Toss with the lemon juice and sugar. Transfer to the baking dish and spread the topping evenly over the apples.

Bake for 30-40 minutes or until bubbly and the top is golden brown. (You can use the broiler to brown at the end of baking, but if you do this watch super closely as it can burn fast).

I dust mine with icing sugar, but it is good plain or with whipped cream or ice cream or…anything!



Granola…

This makes me appreciate the Bulk Barn.

5 cups rolled oats (not quick cooking or instant)
2 cups mixed nuts and/or seeds…like almonds and pistachios (my favourite combo), or walnuts, sesame, pecans, flax…) chopped or whole
2 tsps of cinnamon
Pinch of salt
3/4 cup liquid sweeter – I love maple syrup, but honey would also work
1 cup dried fruit – I found dried papaya and cranberry to be delicious, but raisins, or any favourite dried fruit would work

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Place the oats in a large bowl

Add the nuts – stir

Add the sweetener, cinnamon and salt - stir to combine

Spread onto baking pans in a thin layer

Bake for 20-30 min until lightly brown (check often, and shake the pan every so often)

Remove to a bowl, mix in your fruit and allow to cool. Pack in jars or other airtight containers.