A New Day.

It's a new day in 2013 people! 

Let's get to steppin'! 

Whatever you haven't done, started, finished, etc. etc. do it, do it now! 

Let's talk food.

Yesterday I needed comfort food. End of story.

Let's begin with sweet apples and fresh, tart, cranberries. 

Let's throw some chewy dried dates in there for good measure. 

Bubbly, bubbly...

I could have just eaten the mixture straight from the pot. 

But what would a crisp be without a yummy, crispy, nutty topping?

Nuttin' I tell you...nuttin'. 

Sorry, I just couldn't help myself. 

This crisp is paleo, people. 

Although Blue Bell...not so paleo. 

Whoops! :)

Ahhhhhhh...balance!

You should make this for dessert tonight. 

Specifically served after a meal of twice baked potatoes smothered in Monterrey Jack and a porter house steak. 

But those are just suggestions.

Cranberry Apple Date Crisp (GF/P/V):

Ingredients:

For the filling:

3 medium pink lady apples (or any sweet apple), peeled, cored, and diced

12 oz. fresh cranberries 

4 dried, pitted dates, roughly chopped

1/3 c. raw honey (maple syrup for vegan option)

1 c. water

2 T. arrowroot powder

For the topping:

1 c. almond flour

1/2 c. raw, unsalted pecans, finely chopped

1 t. ground cinnamon

pinch of sea salt

1/4 c. melted coconut oil 

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9x11 in ceramic baking dish with coconut oil.

2. Place the apples, cranberries, dates, honey, and water into a large sauce pan. Mix well.

3. Heat over medium heat on the stove until the mixture comes to a boil and the cranberries begin to pop. 

4. Lower the heat and let the mixture simmer for 10 minutes.

5. Remove from the heat and stir in the arrowroot powder. 

6. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish.

7. In a large mixing bowl, combine all of the topping ingredients, mixing well until a crumbly dough forms. 

8. Evenly distribute the topping over the filling.

9. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the top is slightly golden and the filling is bubbly. Remove and serve warm with a heaping scoop of your fave ice cream!

Serves 8-12. 

MANGIA!!!