cranberry apple crisp

One could say, in fact several have, that my living circumstances are very New York. Sometimes life here, in this apartment in Queens, with the Trainer and his family can be difficult. Trying, busy, crowded. Often the morning bathroom schedule gets thrown of and one or all of us are late. Sometimes have such awful misunderstandings with his mother, who doesn't speak English.

And most of all, the kitchen is not my own. I don't have the set of dishes I want. Things don't get stored the way I'd like. I have limited space for the tools I have or want to get. (Not to mention those slices of bread I'm always terrified will get passed over my food or plate) For a girl who grew up as an only child in a house in the Midwest, this is quite an adjustment. It's still an adjustment after almost a year and a half.

Often times when things get intense I retreat to our room and I tell the Trainer that I he has no idea how much I love him. This is my way of telling him how much I deal with for him. Because I do dearly love him. And part of what I love about him is how much he cares for his family, how much responsibility he feels for them, especially his brother. If he didn't insist that we think of his family he wouldn't be my Trainer and I wouldn't love him so much.

I woke at 7am to start and had the turkey in the oven by 7:30. In keeping with my minor obsession with cranberries I wanted to make something special with them for the trainer and I. At home, the crisp is king, and I thought that individual cranberry apple crisps would be perfect. I had them all ready to go into the oven when the turkey came out, and they were just cooled enough when we were done eating.

For once, everyone was home to eat at the same time. After demolishing the bird the Trainer and I were ready for dessert. He turned to me and told me to go ahead and have mine, he would only have a bite of his so that his family could all taste that one. Of course I told him that we could share one and his family could share the other. They're not big on desserts, but this one was hit, served up with a dollop of SCD whipped cream (coming soon). I'm going to have to make two more tomorrow.

These moments when the whole family is together, and the Trainer's father is being charming, and I can give his mom a break in the kitchen. When we really are a happy family. These moments make everything else seem so trivial. These moments are the ones that count. The ones we simply must hold close to our hearts.

And now the turkey's been eaten, the bones are simmering for soup and the Trainer and I have been to the gym and back. On this day of giving thanks I am thankful for my family, my Trainer and my health, which I am steadily regaining through gluten free and SCD eating. Oh, and I'm thankful that the gym is open today too, even if it's only until 3pm.

Cranberry Apple Crisp

makes 4 8oz ramekin crisps
4 apples
1/2 cup fresh cranberries
1/2 cup apple or orange juice
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp ground cinnamon

6 oz (2 cups) blanched almond meal
4 tbsp butter
2 tbsp honey
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Wash, peel and chop the apples into medium size pieces. Coursely chop the cranberries. Mix together in a small bowl with vanilla, juice and cinnamon, stirring to distribute evenly.

Preheat oven to 350°F. In a second bowl mix the almond meal, cinnamon, salt and vanilla. Cut the butter into small pieces and add to the almond meal. Add the honey and mash mixture with the back of a spoon untill it forms a crumbly mixture. Spoon apples into four 8 oz ramekins. Sprinkle crumb mixture over top. Place ramekins on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes.

Serve warm, maybe with a dollop of SCD whipped cream.