My Dutch Apple Pie

It was a rainy afternoon and on the kitchen counter there was a bowl of apples no one was eating. I had no excuse but to bake a Dutch Apple Pie.

(It would have to be Dutch Apple because I avoid rolling pie crust.)

Here's the recipe:

CRUST

• 2 C. flour
• 1 C. brown sugar
• 1/2 C. quick-cooking oats
• 3/4 C. melted butter (I used 1/4 C. butter and 1/2 C. canola oil)

APPLE FILLING

• 2/3 C. sugar
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 and 1/4 C. water 
• 3 heaping cups of peeled and sliced apples
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions

Mix together the flour, brown sugar, oats and butter (oil); set aside 1 cup for the topping. Press the remaining mixture into a 9 or 10 inch pie plate.

Whisk the sugar, cornstarch, and water in a large saucepan until smooth, then bring to a boil. Cook while stirring for 2 minutes, or until thickened. Remove from heat. Stir in the vanilla, cinnamon, and then the apples.

Pour evenly onto the crust. Top with the remaining crust mixture. Bake at 350 degrees F. for approximately 45 minutes, or until the crust is lightly browned.

Here's the finished product:

Serve warm with ice cream or a slice of cheddar cheese. 

I will be using the same recipe with blueberries, peaches, or maybe even strawberries, or strawberry rhubarb, or...

Celebration at Ethan Allen Homestead and Museum

Having lived in Vermont for more than 25 years, today was the first time Geo and I visited the Ethan Allen Homestead and Museum in Burlington. This was a perfect day to go because today, at the museum, there was a 250th anniversary celebration of nine towns (including Williston!) chartered in Vermont.

Here's Geo entering the museum

Director Dan O"Neil introduced the event.

250 years ago, Governor Wentworth of New Hampshire granted charters to nine towns in Vermont located in what is now called Chittenden county (after Thomas Chittenden, Vermont's first Governor).

"Governor Wentworth" did a fine job of cutting the anniversary cake. There was plenty of cake and ice cream for all.

After cake, I took a walk down the path leading to the garden and the original homestead.

The "Three Sisters' Garden" of beans, corn, and squash.

Unfortunately, it was already closed for the day, but I took a few photos through the windows

.

This event was especially meaningful to me because a few months ago, when we visited Jenn and Sean in New Hampshire, Jenn had taken us to see the beautiful Wentworth home in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Now I know that it was Governor Wentworth who gave the charters for towns in Vermont, including Williston. And this is the year we celebrate the 250th anniversary.  

(Oh, I do hope they got some cake and ice cream!)