Crumb-Topped Apple Bars
Dorie's Cookies by Dorie Greenspan

These bite-sized bars come as close to pie as a cookie possibly can.  They're a triple-decker affair:  The base is a brown-sugar cookie, that once pressed into the pan, might just as well be a crust; the midsection is apples cut into chunks and tossed with a little honey (raisins and nuts are optional); and the topping is crumbs made from the same dough as the crust.  It's very beautiful and very delicious.

No matter what apples I use; the cookies are always great.  After you've mixed the apples with the honey, taste a piece and add a pinch or more of sugar if you'd like more sweetness, or a drop of lemon juice for bite.  You an also add a smidgen of spice if you want - go for the apple-pie spices:  cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves and/or allspice - but I don't.

​FOR THE CRUST AND CRUMBS
225 grams unsalted butter, cut into chunks, at room temperature
150 grams sugar
100 grams light brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
374 grams all purpose flour

FOR THE FILLING
680 grams apples, such as Granny Smith or Braeburn
1 1/2 tablespoons honey
sugar, if needed
freshly squeezed lemon juice, if needed
40 grams plump moist raisins (optional)
30 grams coarsely chopped nuts, such as almonds, pecans or walnuts (optional)
confectioners' sugar, for dusting (optional)

​1. Center a rack in the oven and preheat it to 375 degrees F.  Butter a 9 x 13" baking pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.

2. TO MAKE THE CRUST AND CRUMBS:  Put the butter, both sugars, the salt and vanilla in a food processor and whir until the ingredients are blended, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.  Pour in the flour and pulse until the flour is fully incorporated and you have soft, moist clumps of dough.  Turn the dough out and knead it gently to bring it together.  Cut off one third of the dough, cover and set aside; you'll use this for the crumbs.

3. Break the other hunk of dough into pieces and press them evenly over the bottom of the pan, making sure to get into the corners.  Prick the dough all over with a fork.

4. Bake the crust for 18 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown.  Although you're going to bake the crust again, this is really the only opportunity you've got to get color on it and to make certain that it's baked through, so take advantage of it; well baked is better than underbaked here.  Transfer the crust to a cooling rack.

5. TO MAKE THE FILLING AND CRUMBS:  Peel and core the apples, cut them into chunks about 1 inch on a side (don't worry about precision) and put them in a bowl.  Drizzle the honey over the apples and toss to coat evenly.  Taste a piece of apple and decide if you'd like to stir in a pinch or two of sugar or a squirt of lemon juice.  Mix in the remaining raisins and/or nuts, if you're using them, and then spread the fruit evenly over the crust, again taking care not to neglect the corners.

6. Pinch off pieces of the reserved dough and scatter them over the fruit.  You won't have a heavy coat of crumbs, and there'll be fruit peeking out from under the crumbs.

7. Bake for 50 to 55 minutes, or until the crumbs are well browned and the fruit is soft when poked with the point of a knife or slender skewer.  If your apples were juicy and they're now bubbling, you're golden.  Transfer the pan to a rack and cool until just warm or at room temperature.

8. Put a piece of parchment paper over a rack, unmold the bars onto the rack and peel off the parchment, then turn the bars over onto a cutting board.  Cut into 24 squares.  These are good warm or at room temperature, and they're not at all bad chilled.  If you'd like dust with confectioners' sugar just before serving.

​​STORING:  The crust can be made up to 8 hours ahead, cooled and kept covered at room temperature.  It can also be wrapped airtight and frozen up to 2 months; no need to defrost before using.  In think that the bars are at their peak within hours of baking.  The crust gets soft, ditto the crumbs, when left overnight - though this seems to be a condition preferred by some cookie lovers, notably my husband, so I leave it to you to discover what you like.  The bars can be refrigerated, well wrapped for up to 2 days or frozen up to 2 months.

 Protein packed tempeh kale salad with lemon dressing is a nice refreshing salad.  I was skeptical of raw tempeh so I made the dressing first and then added the tempeh to marinade.  I was surprised it was quite good!  I sprinkled mine with dried cherries and walnuts.  Definitely a keeper of a recipe...  tastes like it took way more effort that in it did...  so easy!

I love salads but don't make them as often as I should.  This is some great salad inspiration here with this Chickpea, Sweet Potato and Apple Farro Salad. 

Sweet potatoes come local this time of year in North Carolina but the rest can come from Trader Joe's! 

This simple combo is definitely worth a repeat.  I've never myself put farro in a salad but I will do it again!

Apple-Cheddar Soup Better Homes & Gardens

1/2 cup finely chopped onion

1 tablespoon butter

2 medium baking potatoes, peeled and diced

2 cups apple cider

1/2 tsp dried thyme, crushed

dash cayenne pepper

1 medium cooking apple, peeled, coarsely chopped

1/2 cup milk

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (1 cup)

fresh apple slices

green peppercorns

1.  In large saucepan cook onion in hot butter over medium heat until tender. Stir in potatoes, cider, thyme, salt, and cayenne pepper. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, 15 minutes. Add chopped apple; simmer, covered, 5 minutes or until potatoes are tender. In small bowl combine milk and flour; stir into soup. Cook and stir until bubbly. Slowly add cheese, whisking until cheese is melted. 

2. Divide soup among serving dishes; top with apple slices and peppercorns. Makes 4 to 6 side-dish servings.