The Difference Between Me and Julia Child

how are you, friends?

i am doing very well, thanks to a delish dessert i just had that included no sugar, no butter, and no onions (thank goodness for that dodged bullet...) however, there were tons of flavor, tons of ooey-gooey melted marvelousness, and tons of "mmmmm"s heard round the apartment.

interest perked?
thought so ;)

however, before we get to the baked good, let me tell you the story behind it. rather, the conundrum. luke and i were eating at one of our favorite restaurants the other night, and while perusing the dessert menu he commented on how he loves apple crisp, but hates how it always tastes overly buttery.  he lamented how his only wish in life was to eat an apple crisp that wasn't soaked in butter. hearing the sorrow in his voice, and looking at those distraught eyes, i decided to work some kitchen magic. i am a great girlfriend, after all. (he may deny this story, and claim he simply stated a desire for a not-so-buttery apple crisp, but we all know the true version.)

so, a few days later i searched for some recipes online and came across this one. it sounded interesting because of the healthy and hearty ingredients which would promise both the warm, comforting taste of an apple crisp, yet had not one ingredient i would regret putting into my body. and most importantly? no butter.  (sorry, julia child...we share a lot of things in common, but i'm afraid we'll have to agree to disagree on this one.) (still love impersonating you though.) it's a bit of a twist on the classic apple crisp, but i quite like it.

here is the recipe according to how i tweaked it:

3 apple halves
1 tb coconut oil
2 tb agave nectar+some for drizzling over the baked apples
1/8 ts nutmeg
1/4 ts cinnamon
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup granola
1/4 cup oats
1 tb flax seed
honey for drizzling

~preheat the oven to 425 F
~core the apples and slice a bit off the back of them to keep them stable on the cooking sheet
~melt the coconut oil
~combine the melted coconut oil with the rest of the ingredients
~pack the crumble mixture into the apple wells good n tight
~drizzle with honey
~cook in the oven about 15-20 minutes, or until the apples are softish to the touch (depending on how well cooked you like your apples)
~once cooked, move to a plate, drizzle with more agave nectar or honey, and ENJOY!

the cored apples. i used a knife and it was moderately easy-the first apple half i demolished though because i dug too deep. sad.



add that coconut oil with enthusiasm and a little dance!



the crumble mixture, full of cinnamon, oats, and flax! holy healthy yumminess. i could have just eaten this alone!

stuffed to the brim with granola goodness!

ready for the oven!

i'd like to take a pause and show you a very exciting addition to my kitchen that arrived in the mail the other day...

a yellow frying pan!! yellow is my favorite color, so obviously i needed one of these. it matches my yellow mixing bowls and measuring spoons! i sleep well knowing this.

and now, the final product: warm, aromatic, perfect.



his.



hers.

 the kitchen smelt soooo good while these babies were cooking.  the final product was a was a perfect serving size, with ingredients that were completely guilt free.  and most importantly, butter free :)

when you cut into them, the oats come spilling out into a pool of agave nectar/honey, a very satisfying event to watch...and even more satisfying to eat!



dominated.

try these, friends. you will not regret it. i even had some oats mixture left over, so i've been making them for dessert a lot. it's very easy and you can start the process and be sitting down to eat it within a half hour. ahhhh, instant gratification.

i can't wait to make this all the time in the fall with apples i've picked!

now go bake, readers! bake and embrace healthy ingredients that are as incredible for you as they are delicious!

julia