This week I went to my first Holiday party of the season and brought this apple crisp. It was easy to put together, and contains natural, healthy, easy to find ingredients (I found everything for this recipe at the Sellwood New Seasons).

Still have cranberries left over from Thanksgiving? Add them to this not too sweet apple crisp. Fresh cranberries (as opposed to dried berries with added sugars and dyes) provide a host of health benefits. Eating foods like berries that are loaded with Vitamins C, E and fiber may help lower blood pressure, reduce your chance of heart disease and stroke and help protect your gums. Plus they turn the apples in this dish a pretty pink color.

Apples are another nutritional powerhouse. Most of the antioxidants are found in the peel so choose fresh, local organic varieties when possible and leave the peels on for this recipe. Ginger contains powerful anti inflammatory properties, and has been shown to reduce arthritis pain, reduce nausea and boost the immune system – just what we need this time of year.

Try this recipe and let me know what you think…

 

Gluten Free Ginger Apple Crisp

 

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon organic unsalted cultured butter

Filling:
• 6 large baking apples, thinly sliced
• 1⁄2 cup finely chopped fresh cranberries (I used a food processor to chop these)
• 4 tablespoons pure maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 3 tablespoons finely chopped crystallized ginger
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon organic cornstarch

Topping:
• 1 cup oats (not instant)
• 1⁄2 cup demerara sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 1⁄4 pound organic unsalted cultured butter, cold and cut into small cubes

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Generously grease a 9 x 13 baking dish with butter.
3. Toss the apples, cranberries, maple syrup, lemon juice, ginger, vanilla and cornstarch in a large bowl. Mix well.
5. Spread the fruit mixture into the buttered pan.
6. In a separate bowl, combine the topping ingredients.
7. Spread the topping on the fruit, making sure all the apples are covered.

Bake until fruit is cooked through and topping is lightly browned, about 45 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.

This is a great bake ahead dish. Prep and bake it off in the morning (or the night before). Warm it up in the oven while you are eating dinner and it will be hot and ready for dessert!

 

Anne McCranie is a Portland, Oregon based personal trainer and licensed massage therapist. She believes in whole, minimally processed foods, and butter! (yes butter is a health food) Anne is not a doctor or nutritionist. Please see your medical professional for specific dietary advice.