Fruit Crisp

For the fruit:

• 3 cups firm, ripe peaches (6 to 8 peaches) or any fruit or combination of fruit
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 
  

For the crumble:

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup oatmeal
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 pound (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, diced

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Peel the peaches, slice them into thick wedges, and place them in a large bowl. Add the lemon juice, granulated sugar, and flour. Toss well. Allow the mixture to sit for 5 minutes. Spoon the mixture into buttered baking dish.

For the topping, combine the flour, oatmeal, granulated sugar, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, and the butter in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Mix on low speed until the butter is the size of peas. Rub the mixture with your fingertips until it's in big crumbles, then sprinkle evenly over the fruit. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until the top is browned and crisp and the juices are bubbly. Serve warm or at room temperature.

7 Fruit Salad

2 cans (15 oz.) sliced peaches, canned in juice, drained
2 cans (11 oz) mandarin oranges, drained
1 can (20 oz.) unsweetened pineapple chunks, drained
1 cup halved fresh strawberries
1 cup green grapes
1/2 cup fresh blueberries
1 cup reduced sugar cherry pie filling (canned)
In a large bowl, combine the peaches, oranges, pineapple and pie filling.  Add the strawberries, grapes, and blueberries; stir gently.  Refrigerate.

For a healthy alternative, substitute 1 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt mixed with 1 tblsp. honey, for the cherry pie filling.

Family Favorite

These are one of my family's favorite snacks.  They are quick, wholesome, and oh so good and best enjoyed with a cold glass of milk.  This is a very old recipe and both David and I remember loving them as kids.

No Bake Cookies


2 cups sugar
1 stick butter (or margarine if you must)
1/2 cup milk
4 Tblsp. cocoa
3 cups oatmeal
2/3 cup peanut butter
1 tsp. vanilla

Put oatmeal, peanut butter, and vanilla in a large mixing bowl and set aside.  In medium saucepan, bring sugar, butter, milk, and cocoa to a boil at medium heat.  Boil for 1 minute.  Pour hot mixture over oatmeal and stir well.  Drop by rounded tablespoon on parchment paper to cool and set.  Enjoy!
Hint:  a large portion of these never make it to the cool and set stage.  We eat them warm with a spoon...yum.