Pumpkin Pear Crisp

It seems like time moves too quickly in the Fall. I thought the summer was just coming to an end and all the sudden I'm pulling on flannel pj's and eating Cream of Wheat for breakfast. That's so not a summer thing to do.

I guess it's time I move out of denial before winter comes. This recipe is most definitely Fall and was inspired by my mom and Mama, who have made apple crisp for centuries, I think, and my good friend Bon Appetit.

Pumpkin Pear Crisp   [click to print]
For the Compote: 
2 c. sugar pumpkin or butternut squash (about 1 small), peeled and cubed in 1/4" to 1/2" pieces
4 c. pears (about 5 small), peeled and cubed in 1/2" pieces
1/4 c. maple syrup
2 T. lemon juice
1 T. brown sugar
1 T. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. cloves
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Combine all ingredients in crockpot and stir well. Cook on high for 2 hours until pumpkin/squash is just tender. Spoon into six small ramekins or other oven safe dish(es).


For the Crispy part: 
1/2 c. oats
1/2 c. walnuts, chopped
1/4 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. flour
1/4 c. butter
1 tsp. cinnamon

Combine sugar, flour, butter and cinnamon in medium bowl. Using a pastry cutter, cut in butter until small crumbles form about the size of peas. Add oats and nuts. Sprinkle over ramekins. Place on middle rack of oven and broil 15-20 minutes until nuts/oats are browned and compote is bubbly.


Source: Adapted from Bon Appetit

Crock Pot Apple Butter

I love the smell of Fall. Warm jackets, crunchy leaves, crisp air, fresh, cold apples. When I was little, my family and I picked bags and bags of apples at a friend's orchard back home in Pennsylvania. I sat on the kitchen floor while my parents worked on making and canning everything appley and proceeded to take a bite out of each and every apple I could get my hands on. 

Last week when I was at the grocery store, the apples were all just staring me down. Gala, Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, McIntosh, Pink Lady, everthing! Now I have about 8000 different apple recipe ideas floating through my head, so here's the first: Apple Butter. I know, I know, it sounds like a long, tedious process, but it really isn't! This recipe will make your entire home smell like the holidays and it only takes a few minutes to throw together and a few hours in a crockpot!

Crock Pot Apple Butter   [click to print]

6 apples

2 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

1/4 tsp. cloves

1/2 tsp. allspice
1/4 tsp. salt

3/4 c. light brown sugar

1 c. apple cider

1 lemon peel

Peel apples and chop into pieces about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick; add to crockpot. Add spices, salt, sugar, cider and lemon peel. Stir to combine. Cook on high for 1 to 1-1/2 hours, or until apples are bubbly. Reduce heat to low and cook for 6 to 8 hours, stirring 2 or 3 times throughout. Turn off heat and allow to cool about 1 hour. Remove lemon peel and pour mixture into food processor or blender; puree until smooth. 

Source: Adapted from Baked Bree