The Dessert We Have Every Day

... or almost every day.

In over two years I don't believe I've ever shared a recipe here in my blog, so I guess it's time for one.

This is a fruit dessert I make for Tom and myself and it's pretty low in everything (as in stuff that's bad for you). And also, it's one of those recipes which doesn't have any exact measurements--you just make it up as you go along.

So bear with me.

This is what I do (it will make two large servings or four small ones).

Ingredients:

1/2 bag frozen fruit (app. 1 1/2 c.)... or 4 or 5 apples, peeled and sliced
2 or 3 tbl. lemon juice

Topping:
1/4 c. flour
1/2 c. uncooked oatmeal
1 tbl. brown sugar
cinnamon, ginger... about 1/2 tsp. each
powdered cloves... about 1/8 tsp.
1 or 2 tbl. lemon juice
1 tbl. oil

Place the frozen fruit in a microwave-safe bowl and add 2 or 3 tbl. of lemon juice (if using apples, add a little cinnamon, too)

Place uncovered in microwave for three minutes on high (2 minutes if using apples).

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix flour, oatmeal, spices, lemon juice and oil. Topping shouldn't be too moist and it's ok if parts are still pretty dry.

Remove fruit from microwave and add topping, pressing gently into the fruit with a fork, so any dry pieces of topping will moisten while cooking.

Microwave on high for three minutes. Let cool.

That's about it. Not everyone will like this, but we do. And besides, it's super fast, easy, is a good way to eat fruit, and it won't kill you.

Which reminds me, I just finished one of the most delightful books I'd read in a long time. It's called The Country Kitchen by Della T. Lutes, published in 1936. 

It's an old book full of kitchen essays and stories about the author's life when she was a child in the 1880's. Such a funny and warm-hearted book--I hated to finish it this morning. Fortunately, there's a sequel which I ordered yesterday.

You can read about The Country Kitchen here. Be sure to scroll down to the raving reviews.

You'll find some copies there at Amazon beginning at around $5, or here for even less.

This week each early morning I could barely wait to make my coffee and rush upstairs to read, yet again, another fun chapter. Her father, though, was often fiesty and selfish (though he could be funny at times). I just chalked it all up to lessons of how not to be and how not to treat others.

Those are vital lessons, also.



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