Growing up, I didn’t get to see my grandparents on my Dad’s side too often, with them living a 4-hour flight away. Luckily, they were able to travel every once in a while to Ottawa and visit us. Though unfortunate, not being able to visit each other often meant that every time they’d come over felt especially exciting. It was a great opportunity to see them again for the first time in so long.
My Grandpa has always been a great cook. He has this old, fairly torn up cookbook, filled with recipes he’s made over the years. Every time he and my Granny come over, he brings it along and takes out the recipe we’ve been making together for years: apple crumble. The timeless dessert that somehow makes apples much more enjoyable to eat. Though every time he would come over, we’d increase the size of the recipe by two, a great opportunity for little me to do some math and get a lot of extra apple crumble.
Cooking it together was always my favourite part. Though he would cut the apples himself, he would guide me through every step, letting me measure and pour and mix it all together. The smell of sugars and spices mixing with the apples and oats was enticing, though I held myself back from sneaking a few bites, knowing that any uncooked desserts and treats are guaranteed to taste lackluster compared to the final product. Once we shoved it in the oven, the wait was agonizing, especially as the scent of cinnamon wafted the house.
The moment that oven timer dinged I was on my feet and eager for a bowl. The sight of crispy oats and the golden apples, all flavourful with spices and sweetness mixed to create such a perfectly rich dessert, was almost too much delicious goodness for my younger self to handle. The dollop of vanilla ice cream that followed balanced out the heat and tartness of the pie, that every bite felt like a taste of heaven.
Now, every time I even see or hear of apple crumble, I think of my Grandpa and the memories of my childhood, the time we spent together, following these instructions while also putting our own spin on it. I’ll always adore this tasty treat and the many memories attached to it.
My Grandpa has always been a great cook. He has this old, fairly torn up cookbook, filled with recipes he’s made over the years. Every time he and my Granny come over, he brings it along and takes out the recipe we’ve been making together for years: apple crumble. The timeless dessert that somehow makes apples much more enjoyable to eat. Though every time he would come over, we’d increase the size of the recipe by two, a great opportunity for little me to do some math and get a lot of extra apple crumble.
Cooking it together was always my favourite part. Though he would cut the apples himself, he would guide me through every step, letting me measure and pour and mix it all together. The smell of sugars and spices mixing with the apples and oats was enticing, though I held myself back from sneaking a few bites, knowing that any uncooked desserts and treats are guaranteed to taste lackluster compared to the final product. Once we shoved it in the oven, the wait was agonizing, especially as the scent of cinnamon wafted the house.
The moment that oven timer dinged I was on my feet and eager for a bowl. The sight of crispy oats and the golden apples, all flavourful with spices and sweetness mixed to create such a perfectly rich dessert, was almost too much delicious goodness for my younger self to handle. The dollop of vanilla ice cream that followed balanced out the heat and tartness of the pie, that every bite felt like a taste of heaven.
Now, every time I even see or hear of apple crumble, I think of my Grandpa and the memories of my childhood, the time we spent together, following these instructions while also putting our own spin on it. I’ll always adore this tasty treat and the many memories attached to it.
Recipe
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Cookware:
Ingredients:
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Instructions: Heat oven to 375° Fahrenheit Grease bottom and sides of square baking pan with shortening, or line the pan with tin foil/parchment paper Wash and peel apples with vegetable peeler (peeling is optional) Core the apples and cut them into ½-inch slices Places apples in an even layer in baking pan In medium bowl, mix the brown sugar, flour, oats, butter, cinnamon and nutmeg until it resembles coarse crumbs Sprinkle topping over apples Bake 30 minutes or until topping is golden brown/apples are tender when pierced with a fork Serve warm with ice cream, if desired |