The person I am right before embarking on a trip is not a person of whom I am proud. This version of Quelcy is frenzied, snippy and probably in need of a happiness project. This version of Quelcy loses her sense of priorities and time management. She thinks it’s an appropriate time to mop a floor or reorganize a shelf. Yet, she doesn’t seem to think it’s an appropriate time to select her outfits and put them in a travel bag.
This Thanksgiving, The Urban Farmer, Julep and I hit the road for a very long drive to the snowy midwest. True to form, that pre-trip Quelcy reared her ugly head, trying to squeeze too much into too little time and naturally, leaving packing for the last minute. In her fits and frenzies, this version of Quelcy thought the best plan for the abundant fruit bowl was a late night baking session.
This may have been pre-trip Quelcy’s only redeeming quality. In the storm before the calm, apples, pears and Chinese five spice combined into a whole grain treat. She packed the maple and spice scents into the car, and off they went. Somewhere between Pittsburgh and Ohio, my saner self re-emerged, appreciative of the treat we’d be able to savor throughout the long journey.
Once settled into our snowy retreat of an Air BnB, the warm crisp was wholesome enough to savor for breakfast with big mugs of slow sipping coffee. If this time of year brings you a fair share of stress, skip pie crust entirely, and try this wholesome crisp. If you’re attending dinner party after dinner party, this is easy to whip up last minute and share, or escape the frenzy and savor it with someone special.
p.s: My personalized pie plate was a gift from Personal Creations. If you want to be sure your pie plate doesn’t get confused with another dessert plate at a holiday party, you can use Personal Creations to add your name. If you’re the more obsessive type, like yours truly, you can even use your pie plate to broadcast your dedication to whole grains.
p.p.s: Stay tuned for posts about my Midwest adventures!
Pear, Apple, Spelt & Oat Crisp
Ingredients
3/4 cup organic sprouted spelt flour (One Degree Organics)
1/4 cup packed organic light-brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup plus 2 Tablespoons organic maple syrup
8 Tablespoons (1 stick) organic unsalted butter, cold, cut into small cubes
1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats (not quick-cooking)
3 pounds organic apples and red pears, cored, and cut into 1/2-inch chunks
2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 teaspoons Chinese Five Spice
Directions
Preheat oven to 375°F..
In a large bowl, mix together flour, brown sugar, salt, and 2 Tablespoons maple syrup.
Cut butter into flour, using a pastry blender or two knives, until mixture is the texture of coarse meal.
Add oats, and use your hands to toss and squeeze mixture until large, moist clumps form. Transfer to freezer to chill while you prepare apples.
In another large bowl, toss apples with apple cider vinegar, Chinese Five Spice, and remaining 1/2 cup maple syrup.
Transfer to a pie plate, and sprinkle with topping mixture.
Bake until golden and bubbling, 55 to 65 minutes.
Let cool 10 minutes before serving.
Serve with homemade whipped cream, ice cream and/or a big mug of coffee.
Enjoy!