The Secret(s) to Heart-Healthy Apple Crisp: Olive Oil & Vinegar

Heart-Healthy Apple Crisp You'll Love

By Cal Orey

"Adam was but human-this explains it all. He did not want the apple for the apple's sake, he wanted it only because it was forbidden."

--Mark Twain

I love apples. Apple cider vinegar to fuji apples--both have perks--can help you stay on the healthy heart track... Eighty percent of the fiber found in an apple is soluble fiber--pectin, which may be of help in lowering blood cholesterol levles. Also, apples are a good source of potassium, which helps provide protection against strokes. And like most other fruits, they're also lower in sodium (for better blood pressure), calories (for staying slim), and fat (for lower cholesterol).

Yesterday, I bought a bag of fuji apples. (I can't get enough of these. Their sweet and tart, juicy flavor has got me hooked. It's a delicious love affair and good for the heart.) Ever hear the saying, "An apple a day means fewer doctors to pay?"

Apples are good stuff. Okay, so I created the following recipe that excludes flour and butter but includes heart-healthy oatmeal, nuts, olive oil, apple cider vinegar--and apples. I'm going to whip up this puppy later today but I will bet you a bushel of apples it's going to taste as good as the good-for-your-heart homemade granola I made with olive oil.

The Sweetest Apple Crisp

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Ingredients

7 apples, washed, peeled, cored and sliced (If you want more fiber and nutrients, leave the skins on the apples)

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (ACV)

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup rolled oats

1/2 -3/4 cup pecans or walnuts

1/2 cup raisins (optional)

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. (If you live in high altitude it may be a bit higher.) In a mixing bowl, combine prepared apples, olive oil, ACV, and vanilla. Layer fuji apples in your fave baking dish (I use my mother's from the fifties). Combine light or dark brown sugar, cinnamon, nuts, and uncooked oats in a bowl. Sprinkle sugar mixture over apples. Bake approximately 45 minutes. It will be done when the topping looks brown and crunchy, apples are tender. (Go ahead and toss in raisins once removed from the oven.) Serve with a single scoop of all-natural real French vanilla ice cream.

For more info about heart-healthy apples, ACV, and olive oil, check out my two books--The Healing Powers of Vinegar and The Healing Powers of Olive Oil published by Kensington. (A discount is provided if you purchase 'em as a pair.)