Raise Your Spirits: Part Two

"Autumn begins with a subtle change in the light, with skies a deeper blue, and nights that become suddenly clear and chilled. The season comes full with the first frost, the disappearance of migrant birds, and the harvesting of the season's last crops."
-Glenn Wolff and Jerry Dennis

Scare up some healthy alternatives

Veggie Tray with Light Ranch Dressing

Blackberry and Cheese Kabobs

Black Bean Hummus
http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/2008/10/spooky-black-bean-hummus.html

A crumble dish that captures fall flavors 

Cranberry Pear and Apple Crumble takes chunks of sweet pears,tart cranberries and crisp apples and tops it with a streusel-like mixture topping. It is oh so good when served warm from the oven with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. 

Anjou and Bartlett pears are the best for baking because they remain firm and smooth when cooked
Filling Ingredients:

• 6 cups of tart apples, peeled and cut into chunks (about 5 apples)
• 2 cups of pears cut into chunks (about 4 pears) 
• 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
• 2/3 cup white sugar
• 2 tsp. Saigon cinnamon
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1 tsp. orange zest
• 1 tsp. fresh lemon zest
• 1 TB. orange juice
• 1 TB. lemon juice

Filling Directions;

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Mix flour, sugar, both zests, juices and cinnamon in a large bowl
• Add cut up fruits and pour into a 13 x 9 baking pan

Topping Ingredients:

• 1 cup of flour
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 cups of quick cooking dry oatmeal
• ¼ tsp. baking soda
• ¼ tsp. baking powder
• ¼ tsp. salt
• 2 TB.Saigon cinnamon
• ¾ stick of cold butter (6TB) cut into small pieces 

Topping Directions:

• In a food processor pulse ingredients 4 times just until mixture crumbly but chunks of butter still visible. 
• Sprinkle crumble mixture over fruit filling.
• Bake uncovered about 3o minutes or until apples are tender.