Skillet Apple Goodie

by Leslie

Wow.  It's been a long time, but I'm glad to announce that I am back!  Things are crazy-busy this summer, but in a good way.  I am taking a couple classes, organizing summer reading at the library, and trying to take care of a garden.  It has been really fun, and now that it actually feels like summer outside, I am enjoying it all the more.

We're also gearing up for guests here, so I have been experimenting to come up with some meal ideas.  My best friend and sister will be here for a couple days, so I've got to give them something inventive, decadent, and delicious.  Jaime's sister and mother will be here shortly after.  For his mom, I've got to come up with something low in carbohydrates with small portions (she says that looking at a huge plate of food makes her full!).  I think I came upon the best of both worlds here.  Although this dessert probably couldn't be considered "healthy", you might be able to call it "healthy-ish".

My grandma gave me this recipe and I jazzed it up a bit with some ground almonds and lemon zest.  She calls it "crustless apple pie", but I am calling it Skillet Apple Goodie because I love to use my cast iron skillet, and "goodie" is just way more fun.  My mom always called her apple crisp "goodie."  I'm not sure if there is a "goodie" category on the whole cobbler/crisp spectrum, but I'm sure it could find its place.

This dish is crunchy, tart, and melt-in-your mouth.  Try it with ice cream, Greek yogurt, or fresh whipped cream.  Or, be like me and eat it solo out of the skillet with a wooden spoon  . . .

 Apples are cooked slightly in water, sugar, and cinnamon.

 Finished product--see those gooey edges?

There is no crust, but the almond mixture gives it a bit of a crunch!

We ate ours with a generous helping of vanilla greek yogurt.  Yum!


Skillet Apple Goody

about 6 apples, peeled and cut into eighths
1/2 c. water
1/2 c. sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
zest of a lemon
juice from half a lemon (about 1 tablespoon)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Cook the first 4 ingredients on the stove over medium heat in a saucepan or small cast-iron skillet until the apples are partially cooked and softened.

Topping:
1/2 cup ground almonds (or flour)
3 tablespoons cold butter, cubed
1/4 c. packed brown sugar
1/2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt

Mix the above until crumbly, then pour over the apples (if not using a skillet, transfer apples to a baking dish).  Bake for around 40-45 minutes, or until the topping is golden and the apples are bubbling.