A few weeks ago, I was part of CBS Morning's The Couch. It was me, three talk show hosts, and a lot of apples. Thank you to my friend Paige Davis for her generosity of spirit that made the opportunity possible. She graciously called and emailed the producers making sure my cooking segment could be on the date she would be guest hosting. On a day that should have been all about her, I was made to feel like a super star!
I acquired a good number of the apples from the Union Square Farmer's Market here in NYC. I used them as props for the show as well as to make my featured recipes. My friend Sara Savage, super star Mom and designer, donated a bag of apples from her tree in Connecticut to add to the apple pile. They were misshapen, spotty, and sweeter than any I bought from the market! As she handed me the bag, she said, "The ugliest ones taste the most delicous!" She was right. Thank you, Sara, for your generosity adding to my television spot. It comforted and grounded me to pick up one of your apples and talk about the nutrients being in the skin.
We all know when life gives you lemons, you have to make lemonade, right? But what do you do when life gives you apples?!...
...You make Apple Crisp! You may already have a favorite recipe for apple crisp. If so, please share with us in the comments below. Maybe it was handed down through generations in your family or you might have just stumbled upon it on Pinterest. Perhaps you are a who-cares-about- crisps- buckles- pan dowdies- and cobblers- Bring- on- the- Pie- kind of person. Well, I would never be one to say put down the pie, but have I got a sweet treat for you!
I am extremly fortunate to be neighbors and besties with a real live baker, Darren Dunstan of Poof Pastry. His recipe for Apple Crisp WINS! He has been gracious enough to make it for me on several occasions. He so charitably gave me the recipe to make on my own when he was too busy. AND, in the spirit of generosity, I get to share Darren's special recipe with you today! If you are in the New York City area and need help with the dessert options for your holiday buffets, or if you plan on giving sweet gifts to friends and family, or if the office or your children's school need seasonal treats, place an order with Poof Pastry. Let him do all the work. And as an act of charity to the most important person in your life, make this apple crisp just for you to enjoy all by yourself!
Apple Crisp with Brandy
Ron’s Brandy Apple Pie (whomever Ron is, I thank you!)
Preheat oven to 350°F.
The Filling
Combine:
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup firmly packed dark-brown sugar
1/4 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
8-10 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
1/4 cup brandy
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Place this mixture into a pie plate.
The Crumble
Combine:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
pinch of kosher salt
2/3 cup oatmeal
8 tbsp cold unsalted butter, diced
To make the topping, combine the flour, sugars, salt, oatmeal, and cold butter. Scatter evenly over the apples.
Place the pie plate or tin of on a sheet pan and bake for 1 hour until the top is brown and the apples are bubbly. Serve warm. (With ice cream, or whipped cream or honeyed sour cream!)
