INGREDIENTS:
6 medium apples, peeled, cored, and chopped into bite-sized chunks
water
1 1/2 c whole wheat flour (freshly ground is best, with the bran intact)
1/2 c oatmeal
1 c sugar (turbinado, or favorite)
1 t cinnamon
a pinch of salt
1/2 c (1/4 lb.) melted butter
lemon juice (opt.)
butter (opt.)
water
PREPARATION:
(preheat oven to 400 degrees F)
1. Add some water to the apple chunks and cook covered over moderate to high heat until the apples soften and make their own juice (about 15 minutes)
2. In a bowl, combine the whole wheat flour, oats, sugar, cinnamon, salt, and melted butter, cutting in the butter with a wire whisk until a coarse meal-like consistency is achieved.
3. Spread the cooked apples and remaining water in the bottom of a buttered (8-9") baking pan. Sprinkle with a little lemon juice and top with a little extra butter slices if desired. Without pressing down, spoon on all the topping onto the cooked apple chunks and spread evenly.
4. Bake for about 45 minutes or until the topping is golden brown.
Offer hot or slightly cooled, garnished with whipped cream or alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Serves about 6-8 people
Variation: add a handful of chopped walnuts or almonds. Peaches or pears make good replacements for the apples. You may wish to add a little more sugar to the peaches when precooking for extra sweetness.