Grape and Apple Crisp

Yes.  Yes, it does say grape and apple crisp.  Never cooked with grapes, you say?  Well neither had I, until today.  Grapes are #2 on my list of favorite fresh fruits, right behind ripe, juicy pears.  I love them so much fresh that it had never occurred to me to ever try to cook with them.  But in the process of making this recipe I learned something about grapes.
 They behave a lot like cherries when they're cooked.  They hold their shape pretty well, and they like to hold on to their juices, which is nice because it doesn't make for a runny dessert.  Then when you bite into them, it is an explosion of flavor.  Y-U-M!!

Grape and Apple Crisp
12" dutch oven

Topping:

3/4 cup flour
3/4 cup old fashioned oats
6 Tbs. sugar
6 Tbs.  brown sugar
1/2 cup cold butter, cut into small pieces (I used frozen butter and grated it with my box grater)

Filling:

6 cup tart apples, peeled and thinly sliced
2 cup seedless red grapes
1/3 cup orange juice
1/2 Tbs. flour 1/4 cup granulated sugar

To prepare the topping, combine the flour, oats and sugars.  Add the butter and combine until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

To prepare the filling, toss the apples in the orange juice and drain well.  Combine remaining ingredients and pour into a 12" dutch oven.  Sprinkle with the topping mixture.

Bake at 375° for 45 minutes or until  golden brown and the fruit is tender.  Use 1 ring on the bottom and 1 1/2 rings + a couple of coals on top.  Serve with ice cream.  Serves 8.

The Finished Product

The Review

I have eaten so much of this dessert that I'm sick  The grapes and apples really compliment each other.  Talk about yummy.  I'm going to add a little more sugar to the because I like my desserts a little sweeter.  I've already adjusted the recipe to what I think would make it perfect.

Source:  Adapted from Relish magazine March 2007