Shh - just between us

Earlier in the summer my mom sent us a Meest package (the only reliable way to send things to Ukraine - my inlaws have been sending things post (no meest in the UK) and not even the marshmallows made it!) Among other things, the package contained a Betty Crocker 40th anniversary cookbook. Not only does it have great recipes (no more running back and forth to the computer to track down recipes) but it also has helpful hints and historic information inset above the recipes. The caption for apple pie read: "An apple pie without cheese is like a kiss without a squeeze" I told that to Alister and gave him a kiss and a squeeze and he was horrified - not at the kiss and the squeeze but at the idea of Apple pie with cheese.

I, however, had a broader mind - for years my favorite apple dessert growing up was Wenatchee Crumble - a scrumptious fall dish with a cheese, flour, and sugar crumble topping. In fact, Alister had probably even tried it, and liked it, when he came to Thanksgiving dinner with me at the Peace House in Philadelphia. Having been reminded of the joys of spiced apples and cheese - I couldn't remember why I wanted to make an apple pie in the first place, and quickly whipped up a Wenatchee Crumble instead.

And Alister like it.

From my mom's kitchen (via somewhere else) . . . .

Wenatchee Crumble

Wash, pare, & slice enough apples to fill a lightly buttered baking dish/pan about 2/3 – ¾ full of apples. (I make the slices across the short quarter of the apples, as it is easier to stir in sugar and cinnamon.

Sprinkle 1-1½ cups sugar, 3 tsp. cinnamon, and ½ tsp. salt over top. Add 2 Tablespoons lemon juice plus 1-2 Tablespoons water. (More lemon & less water if apples are like our delicious in the states.) Gently stir through apples. May cover & freeze at this stage.

Topping* – Stir together 1 cup flour, ½ cup sugar, ½ tsp. salt; add 1 cup Amer. Cheese (I use cheddar) and ½ c. melted butter. Mix all ingredients together. Spread evenly over apples.

Bake 30 - 35 min until apples are tender at 375F

*This amount is for an 8” or 9” square pan. Double for a 9 x 13 pan.

Most cheeses go well with apples. Swiss would probably be acceptable. Would advise against mozzarella.