HAIL TO THE VICTOR

Not even the University of Michigan's fight song, "Hail to the Victors Valiant" would have helped McCain turn that state red last night. I'm sure many Michiganders, including my Uncle Randy who sends endless emails about Republican nonsense, is feeling a bit blue today. I, on the other hand, say "Hail Hail to Michigan" and all the others who finally saw the light. As one of our dear friends said this morning in an email, "Obama is our walking apology to the rest of the world." Amen! Change is in the air and so is the smell of delicious Apple Crisp! After all, nothing is more American than voting and Apple Pie so I thought I'd bake up one of our favorite desserts to celebrate our countries big win. Joe's made this a few times and it's simply fantastic and incredibly easy to make...even Sarah Palin, now with a little extra time on her hands, could make it!

OH MAMMA THIS IS GOOD!

TOPPING:

6 Tablespoons unbleached all purpose flour

1/4 cup packed light brown sugar

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon salt

5 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2 inch pieces

3/4 cup coarsely chopped nuts (almonds, pecans or walnuts)

FILLING:

3 Medium Granny Smith apples

3 Medium Mcintosh apples

1/2 teaspoon grated zest and 1 1/2 tablespoons juice from one lemon

1/4 cup granulated sugar

FOR THE TOPPING place the flour, sugars, spices and salt in a food processor and combine. Add the butter and pulse 10 times, about 4 seconds each pulse. The mixture will first look like dry sand then like coarse cornmeal. Add the nuts, then process again four or five one second pulses. The topping should look slightly clumpy. DO NOT overmix. Refrigerate for at least fifteen minutes and move on to next step:

Adjust oven rack to the lower-middle position and heat oven to 375 degrees.

FOR THE FILLING peel and cut the apples into one inch chunks (approx 6 cups). Toss the apples, zest, juice and sugar in a medium bowl. Scrape the fruit mixture with a rubber spatula into an 8-inch square baking pan or 9-inch deep dish pie plate.

TO ASSEMBLE AND BAKE CRISP distribute the chilled topping evenly over the fruit. Bake for 40 minutes. Increase the oven temperature to 400 degrees and continue baking until golden brown, about five minutes.

TIME TO COMPLETE TASK: 1 hour

COST: Under $10.00

STRESS LEVEL: Winning with a great dessert: LOW