A Dish a Day: Dessert
     Apple Crisp and Angels Unawares

My family and I attend a church with a small membership. I'm talking very small. What we lack in numbers we make up for in compassion and concern for others. A few families gather every Wednesday evening to share a meal, have Bible study, and a time of prayer for people who are sick, afflicted, or have emotional and spiritual needs. It is a great time of fellowship around the table.

The church building is located on a major and busy US highway between two small towns. Sort of out there in the middle of nowhere. Because of this location, we have been visited many times by people who have fallen on hard times and are somewhat stranded, needing gas, food, or a place to stay for the night. We consider these visits opportunities to minister and be a testimony of God's love and care. Only once in  my memory have we been sure we were being taken advantage of.

We were visited again this past Wednesday night by a man and his wife in need of help. They were invited in to share the meal and remain for Bible study. Gentle questioning revealed they were looking for work and had slept in their truck the past three nights. After the meeting was over, gas was put in their truck, money was given for a couple of meals, and they were put up in the local motel for the night. Information was provided as to who in the area might be hiring workers. We left the couple with handshakes and well wishes. They appeared genuinely grateful.

As we left the couple, a verse of Scripture came into my mind. As if my husband could read my thoughts, he spoke the verse in part. "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." (Hebrews 13:2 KJV).

Everyone knows what Thanksgiving Day is about. All of us know how truly and richly blessed we are even when we don't have all that we want or sometimes need. Meeting that couple was like a swift kick in the pants. It reminded me to "praise God from whom all blessings flow" and to say "thank you." Especially, because I don't have to sleep in the truck.

Now you are asking what all this has to do with apple crisp. We take turns planning our Wednesday night meals at church. Because I like to make desserts, it often falls to me to bring one. Apple crisp was the dessert choice this past Wednesday night when the "angels unawares" visited. Very delicious made even more so with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. Since apples are in peak season right now, the crisp will be an easy addition to your Thanksgiving Day dessert table.

Apple Crisp
    from allrecipes.com
10 cups all-purpose apples, peeled, cored, and sliced (I used 6 Granny Smith Apples)
1 cup white sugar
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup water
1 cup quick cooking oats
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350F. Place sliced apples in a 9x13 in pan. Mix the white sugar, 1 tablespoon flour, and ground cinnamon together and sprinkle over apples. Pour water evenly over all. Combine the oats, 1 cup flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and melted butter together. Crumble evenly over the apple mixture. Bake at 350F for about 45 minutes. Serve warm with ice cream or whipped topping.

Happy cooking!
Nan