Apple Crisp

Boo.  Since I am posting on Halloween I had to discuss those black and white movies from the 30's.  I watched "Hunchback of  Notre Dame", last night.  I love all those old black and white movies for Halloween.  How can you not love Quasimodo.  I can relate to Esmeralda of course she was a gypsy.  I have been to Notre Dame in Paris which makes it even more exciting to watch.  So honor of Halloween and Esmeralda let us get on with this gypsy's adventure.

I have been in transition.  This seems like the appropriate recipe especially for this time of year and my new adventure.  I didn't leave Wisconsin just went more north.  Actually I am as far north as you can get in this state.  Up near the Apostle Islands, Bayfield and Cornucopia.  If you look at a map you can see how unusual the area is.  I have a view of Lake Superior the greatest of all the Great Lakes.  I have the pleasure of watching the ferry and sailboats grace the waters daily.

The season is over now for apples, but when I arrived it was the peak of apple season.  Bayfield has an apple festival every year which we had the opportunity to witness.  The main street was lined with apple crisp.  Really, vendors all up and down the quaint village and all the local orchards selling their goods.  Bayfield is "Berry Capital of Wisconsin".  The numerous orchards grow many berry varieties and of course apples.

This again is a recipe from my husband's family.  His favorite after school treat when he was young.  Who doesn't enjoy the smell of apples baking on those rainy October days.  Especially here the Gateway to the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore with its 21 enchanting Apostle Islands.

Changing this recipe to gluten free is pretty simple.  Just use your favorite flour or flour blend.  I changed the butter to Spectrum Organic Vegetable shortening.  Use butter if you can.  Apple crisp is such a simple pleasure.

Apple Crisp

7 or 8 large apples - peel, core and slice into a 7x7 pan or large pie dish.  Tart apples are the best.  The apple variety does affect the taste.
1/2 cup brown rice flour or white rice flour or a blend or whatever you like
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup spectrum organic vegetable shortening or butter
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice or just cinnamon

Blend the flour, sugar, spices and shortening with your fingers until a coarse crumble forms.  Spread over the apples.  Bake at 375 for about 35 to 45 minutes or until apples are done.  Serve hot or cold.

If you can eat dairy this is really good with a little cream or ice cream.  We just eat it hot out of the oven.  This apple crisp was especially good.  We got our apples straight from the local farmer who was happy to give us one of his last bags and a few special apples to try - as he welcomed us to the community.