Warm and pleasant greetings to all. We hope you are enjoying another good week. Hopefully, all are cautiously treading in and out during this very warm weather.
During the season for warmer weather, we don’t stop eating, we just desire something good with a lighter texture, maybe. Some cooks don’t use the oven and slow cooker/instant pot during the summer season, but I use these wares anytime for safety’s sake. For some recipes, you must use the oven for best results. At the end of this article, I will share my Apple Oatmeal Crisp recipe, which is not so light, but good, sweet and even better with black walnut ice cream!
You will have to turn on the oven.
The recipe has few ingredients, melted butter and oatmeal. I like the Seven Layer Salad, too. This salad can be made ahead of time and refrigerated. It makes a beautiful presentation in a large glass bowl. If serving more than a few, I use the punch bowl set and fill the cups with different dressings.
The July edition of The AARP Bulletin features “99 Great Ways to Save.”
For the last six years, the annual bulletin has made this a special feature. So much of saving money is simply being mindful about spending. I like to read about some ways I know or, perhaps, ones that are different than I know.
They are all great tips to beat inflation when considering lower airfares, hotel stays, buying used items, cutting utility costs, free shopping apps, credit card info, paying less for gas and many good shopping tricks.
I marveled at one tip. I had talked with a shopper a few days before. The topic was buying fresh strawberries. She was saying how disappointing it was to get home and find the berries with mold. Of course, I took the opportunity as a teachable moment from natural response. But here’s the tip: flip your berries.
Moisture is the main reason berries go bad quickly. Flip over the container at the grocery store. If berries aren’t sticking to the bottom, they’ll last longer and you can see if the fruit has begun to show signs of decay.
APPLE OATMEAL CRISP
1 cup brown sugar, lightly packed
1 cup rolled oats
1 cup all purpose flour
½ cup butter, melted
3 cups apples peeled, cored and chopped
½ cup white sugar
2 teaspoons or less cinnamon (if you like)
Gather all ingredients. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease an 8x8 square pan.
Place brown sugar, oats, flour and butter in a large bowl; mix until crumbly. Place half of the crumb mixture in the bottom of the prepared pan. Spread apples evenly over crumb mixture.
Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon; top with remaining crumb mixture.
Bake in preheated oven until golden brown, 40-45 minutes.
This dish is good served cold or room temperature with milk or coffee.
It’s better with whipped cream. It’s best topped with black walnut or pecan ice cream! Hope you can try this recipe soon.
You may like fresh peaches or fresh cherries in exchange for apples or a combination of fresh fruit.
Everyone stay safe and cool as you continue to enjoy the summertime.
Enjoy life today. Be blessed.
