This delicious
favorite isn’t only for apple picking days of late summer and early autumn. It’s
an anytime pleaser.
True confession: We
even eat this for breakfast, if there’s any left over from the night before.
First, gather these Easy Apple Crisp
ingredients:
·4-5 large apples
·1/4 cup water
·1 cup oatmeal
·1 cup brown sugar
·1/3 cup butter (softened at room temperature,
but not melted)
·1 teaspoon cinnamon
·1/2 teaspoon salt
Follow these
instructions to make Easy Apple Crisp:
Preheat oven to 350 (F).
Wash, dry, and peel the apples. Slice them into very thin
wedges, and arrange these in the bottom of a greased square (8” x 8”) baking
pan. Drizzle the water over the apple slices.
In a large bowl, combine the oatmeal, brown sugar, butter,
cinnamon, and salt. Blend these ingredients well with a wire whisk. Sprinkle
this dry mixture over the apple slices.
Bake for approximately 30 minutes. Serve with ice cream or
whipped dairy topping.
VARIATIONS: Any apple variety may be used. Choose sweet or
tart apples, or pick a combination of apple types, depending upon personal
preference. Or substitute sliced peaches or pears for the apples.
NOTE: Written by this author, this copyrighted material
originally appeared on another publisher’s site. That site no longer exists.
This author holds all rights to this content. No republication is allowed
without permission.
Butternut squash soup is not just for autumn anymore. This
hearty favorite is delicious anytime.
Confession time: I like this butternut squash soup recipe
better than Panera’s Autumn Squash Soup (which I love), and it definitely has
fewer calories and less fat because I make it with lighter ingredients. Plus, I
don’t have to worry about having an MSG headache, and it’s available all year
long, if I whip it up myself.
I’ve taken my own Crockpot Butternut Squash Soup to
potlucks, and I’ve poured it into large Mason Jars to pass along to shut-ins, new
moms, and plenty of other folks. It reheats well and makes a super comfort food
for wintry evenings or anytime.
When I have a day filled with at-home projects, need several
hours at my desk in my home office, or simply want to binge-watch a favorite
series, I prepare my ingredients and load up the crockpot to make this family
favorite.
Several friends have asked me for the recipe for my Crockpot
Butternut Squash Soup. So here it is.
First, gather the
ingredients for Crockpot Butternut Squash Soup:
1 butternut squash (about
2 pounds)
1 large apple (I prefer
Granny Smith for the tartness.)
1/2 cup of chopped onion
(or dried onion flakes, in a pinch)
1/2 cup skim milk (or
half-and-half for an even creamier soup)
Follow these
instructions to make Crockpot Butternut Squash Soup:
Spray the inside of a crockpot (or slow cooker) with aerosol cooking oil. (I use
olive oil spray.) Plug it in, and set it for high heat.
Peel the butternut squash. Cut it into 1”-2” cubes. Peel and
cube the apple as well. Toss the cubed squash and apple into the crockpot,
along with the onion, salt, red pepper, and broth.
Cook these ingredients together for 5 hours, until
everything is very soft and mushy. (Crockpot cooking times may vary).
Unplug the crockpot, and let it cool completely.
Scoop about 1/3 of the cooled Crockpot Butternut Squash Soup
mixture into a blender or food processor. (I use the Magic Bullet.) Puree this
portion, then pour it into a large glass measuring cup (at least 8-cup size) or
glass bowl with lid. Repeat with remaining thirds until all of the soup has been pureed.
Add the skim milk (or cream), and stir well. Cover and chill
until ready to use.
Reheat the soup in a large saucepan or soup kettle, or warm
it in the microwave.
NOTE: Soups containing dairy products do not freeze and thaw
well. If you plan to freeze this soup for a later date, it’s best to leave out
the cream until after you thaw it for actual use.
Welcome, October! Who’s loving these wonderful early fall
days? It may be time to stow those tanks and tees, but it’s also finally sweater
weather. Gotta love it!
Empty bird feeder! (Photo c2016 by LAN/Practically at Home)
The birds are organizing a revolt. I have dropped the ball,
when it comes to keeping my bird feeders
filled.
Another empty feeder! (Photo c2016 by LAN/Practically at Home)
Although this picture isn’t too clear on a darker day like
today, I love looking out through this stained glass piece. Here’s why it’s
special. One of my kids helped to make it with a friend who owns a stained
glass shop.
Love this treasure! (Photo c2016 by LAN/Practically at Home)
I am thinking …
It is way past time for me to pull my notes together for a
new book I’ve been planning for a while. I have the outline, the quotes, and
the anecdotes ready to go. It just needs some organization and polish.
I am thankful …
The weather has shifted a bit. The wild late-summer barometric
pressure shifts seem to have subsided somewhat. That means A LOT to someone
with frequent migraine headaches, as this climactic settling can make them less
frequent. And it has.
Seasons shift. (Photo c2016 by LAN/Practically at Home)
One of my favorite things …
OK, I admit it. Seasonal closet changeovers are not really a
favorite task for me. But space is limited in our current home, so this must be
done. It’s time to tuck all those wispy summer clothes away and bring out the
warm and wooly sweaters and fleeces. That’s sort of refreshing, except that the
switch requires a few trips up and down the stairs.
Hey, I need the exercise, right?
I am creating …
In a cubby in the basement is a basket. In the basket is a
stack of random quilt squares, cut out of remnants of nearly everything I have
sewed in the past couple of years. I’ve started assembling the squares into
strips. Next, I will join the strips to make a wild bed quilt that will bring
back tons of memories. We’re talking kids’ toys, Easter and Christmas dresses,
baby clothes, home accents, and much more – all represented in quilt squares.
Now, if I can just finish the thing, and then keep the pets
off it!
Product promo photo - fair use
I am wearing …
These are those mixed-up early October days when everyone
seems confused about what season it is. I do it too. I start the day with long
sleeves and multiple layers. By midday, I’m wishing I’d pulled on something
summery instead. But I’m not complaining. I adore autumn weather.
As I put this month’s SWDB post together today, I’m
listening to Keith Urban’s “Blue Ain’t Your Color.” Just because.
“It’s so black and white.
He’s stealin’ your thunder.
Baby, blue ain’t your color.”
I am hoping …
This fall, I hope to bump up my running mileage again. This
has been a challenge this year, but I’m starting to get there. A friend invited
me to do another half marathon this winter. I’m toying with the idea, although
I don’t relish the idea of trudging through 13.1 miles of snow, slush, slop, or
slippery ice.
Adapted from public domain artwork.
I am learning …
The past few months have stretched me in multiple ways. Dragons
of multiple stripes have tried to face me down. I’m drawing my sword against a
couple of long-time nemeses. (Nope, I’m not talking about people here, although
I certainly could. But these dragons are symbolic.)
I hope to offer upbeat updates on these in the coming
months.
Fall gourds from a friend's farm. (Photo c2016 by LAN/Practically at Home)
In my kitchen …
Here’s another sign of autumn. I’m starting to want to bake
again. Honestly, this is sort of a seasonal thing for me. The latest result is
a big batch of apple-blueberry muffins, including apples from a friend’s
orchard.
Although nearly everyone I know seems to be craving all
things pumpkin, I have a hankering of a different sort right now. Sadly, we are
out of Quaker
Buttered Popcorn Rice Cakes. This is practically a snacking emergency for
me. Those crunchy wonders are better than popcorn itself.
Product promo photo - fair use.
In the school room …
I guess the dragon-fighting I mentioned earlier fits here. (Watch for more to come on that.)
In my garden …
Oh, the garden. It’s
pretty much over for the year. I’m hoping to drop in some new bulbs for spring
blooms. The freakishly overfed wild bunnies did a number on the old bulbs this
year!
Garden path. (Photo c2016 by LAN/Practically at Home)
Board room …
Here’s
a pin from my Finding
Faith board on Pinterest. I love this Bible verse, and I need this reminder
constantly. To Him be all the glory.
Throughout the
month of October, I am participating in a blogging challenge called October
Poetry Writing Month. On my Nickers
and Ink Poetry and Humor site, I am planning to post 31 poems for the 31
days of the month.
