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Lucinda Scala Quinn’s Apple Crisps

June 16, 2011

As promised, here’s the recipe for the apple crisp that was baking in the oven last weekend! I got this recipe from this AMAZING BOOK called MAD Hungry: Feeding Men & Boys. I first had this faux apple pie at my cousin’s home – his wife Jackie is an amazing cook! I also had rice crispy bars and banana bread there and I was asking her for the recipe. She said she got all the recipes from ONE book! Whoa. I had to have this book. It was too heavy for me to bring to Jakarta but when I looked around in the English bookstores here (yes not all bookstores have English books) I couldn’t find it! GASP!

Apple crisp
Caramelized crispy oatmeal and almond topping

I couldn’t find the recipe online either so I tried out Jamie Oliver’s recipe but it was not the same. Click here to check out my attempt on Jamie Oliver’s Apple Crisp!

Apple crisp

I was finally able to order MAD Hungry: Feeding Men & Boys from Times Bookstore (my other favorite bookstore aside from Aksara) and after about a month it arrived. Weeeeee! This book is basically a woman’s instruction guide on how to go about preparing simple but crazy yummy food for a pack of hungry men/boys. I may not have a pack of boys but with TD’s healthy appetite and good taste for food, this is the best weapon! Her tips are so useful and all her recipes are winners! How can it not be?

Lucinda is currently the Executive Director of Food and Entertaining for Martha Stewart Living (and has been for many years), has her own weekly food radio show and is a regular face in  and has been a regular on EveryDay Food on PBS (where She was a co-host), CBS’ Early Show, NBC’s Today Show and “The Martha Stewart Show”

This is one of the best recipe books I own (if not THE BEST) and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to impress herself or her loved ones in the kitchen. Order it if necessary. It’s worth every cent!

Apple crisp
Lucinda Scala Quinn’s Apple Crisp

Below are pictures of the baking process and the recipe courtesy of Artisan Books with permission from Lucinda Scala Quinn via her twitter. Enjoy the photos and yes it was as yummy as I remembered it!

Apple crisp

FRUIT

  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 4 apples, 2 tart and 2 sweet (I use whatever apples I had)
  • 2 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp cold unsalted butter
Apple crisp

TOPPING

  • 3/4 cup rolled oats (not instant/quick cook oatmeal)
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, light of dark
  • 1/4 cup walnutts or pecans, coarsely chopped (sometimes I substitute with cashew/almons)
  • 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp course salt
  • 6 tbsp cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces (I use salted so I remove the course salt above)
Apple crisp

OPTIONAL TOPPIN ADD-INS

  • 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • Pinch of nutmeg
  • Pinch of ground cloves
  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Position rack in center of the oven
  2. To prepare the fruit, place the lemon juice in a large bowl. Peel, core, and cut the apples into 1/2-inch wedges, tossing the pieces in the lemon juice as they are cut, to prevent browning.
  3. To the  apples, add the granulated sugar, cinnamon, and flour.  Toss to combine and pour into a buttered  8×8-inch square or oval baking pan (I use round). Scagtter the butter on top
  4. Make the topping in the same bowl. Combine the oats, brown sugar, nuts, flour, salt, and optional spices. Cut in the butter using ta pastry blender, a fork or two knives. Sprinkle the toppping evenly over the fruit and bake on the center rack for 40-45 minutes, until the topping is dark golden and the apples are bubbling. Cool slightly on a wire cooling rack. Scoop out with a large spoon to serve in bowls,*
Apple crisp

*FRUIT AND TOPPING VARIATIONS

The rule of thumb is 3 parts fruit to 1 part topping to create a good texture. The topping is dry to absorb the juices. Fora apear version, use 4 or 5 peeled Bosc pears. Switch lemon juice for lime, omit the cinnamon, and double the ginger in the topping. For peaches or nectarines, peel and slice 6 pieces of fruit, and toss in orange juice instead of lemon. Add 2 tsp of orange zest to the topping and increase the flour to 1/4 cup.

Apple crisp
Ready for the oven

Dark golden brown toppings are perfectly caramelized and crispy! Wish we had some vanilla ice cream!

Apple crisp

Again thank you to the brilliant Lucinda Scala Quinn and Artisan Books for allowing me to share this recipe! I may not have a battalion of boys but this book has definitely helped me satisfy my husbands mad hunger so many times. In fact many of our favorite dishes are from MAD HUNGRY (i.e. the bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich, Newy York City deli style – so simple but SO good!!!)

MAD HUNGRY: FEEDING MEN AND BOYS (Recipes, strategies, and survival techniques)

Lucinda Scala Quinn’s TV show • Twitter • Facebook

2 Comments · Diplo Tummy

Comments

  1. Chuzai Living says

    June 16, 2011 at 6:45 AM

    I love your post!! I love apple crisps!!! I love seeing the making of the apple crisps. I will have to try this recipe!! I’ll also have to check out MAD HUNGRY. It looks like a perfect book for families with teenagers.

    Reply
  2. diplomaticwife says

    June 16, 2011 at 7:27 AM

    It definitely is a book you will appreciate Kaho! She gives so many timesaving tips and tricks for moms that do all the cooking and have super busy lives! Sounds familiar? =D That’s you honey! I’m sure you can find it in Singapore or in Japan! Thanks for dropping by and commenting even if you are on vacation! =) Always lovely to hear from you!

    Reply

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Hello! I’m Ayessa, trailing spouse to a diplomat, mama to DiploBaby and DiploDog and founder of Declutter MNL. I love talking about how to achieve a minimaluxe lifestyle one step at a time.

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