Apple Crisp

If I am to choose between a night at home or a night out, a large percentage of the time I will choose being at home. There is something about the comfort of the familiar and I would rather indulge at home rather than out. 

Although, I have spent many of nights/days out and about it many fine cities like New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, New Orleans, and DC. All of those cities have a great "going out" life and are wonderful in their own ways. 

Home is where I have a clean bathroom and always have a bottle of wine on the shelf (or a couple).

Home is where I can walk around barefoot and even walk around in my underwear (no peeking). 

Home is a place that is always open and never closed (unless for renovations). 

The comfort of home is something I always miss when I am away. I love nothing more than flopping onto my own bed after not sleeping in it for days and days. Food often comforts people just like being at home and to me my home or at least my kitchen smelling amazing is all the comfort needed. 

This apple crisp bakes up and fills my home with such a soft and delicious smell I think I can eat my walls. That sounds really weird I know but so true. But anyway, the next time you find yourself and home and want to bake something try this apple crisp recipe and then flop into bed and be at home and be happy. Sometimes there is nothing better than just that my friends. 

Apple Crisp

Adapted from Ina Garten
3-4 pounds baking apples (I used granny smiths)
zest of one large lemon
3 Tbls of lemon juice
scant 1/2 cup of sugar
1/4 cup of flour
2 tsp of ground cinnamon
3/4 tsp of nutmeg

1 1/2 coups of unbleached flour
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup pecan bits
1/2 tsp salt
1 heaping cup of oats
2 sticks, cold unsalted butter
dash of cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

First peel and core your apples. Then slice them into chunks. Place the apples in a large bowl and sprinkle with the lemon juice and zest. Toss with your hands. Then sprinkle the sugar, flour, cinnamon and nutmeg over the apples. Toss to combine.

Place the apples in a 9x12x2 inch oval baking dish.

To make the topping, pulse the butter, oats, flour, sugars, salt and cinnamon in a food processor until the mixture comes together.

Sprinkle the topping over the apples. Place the baking dish on a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake the apple crisp for approximately 50 minutes. Or until the top is browned and is bubbling.