It's That Time of Year, Welcome Rhubarb and Some Ideas!

For those of you on my FB you know that yesterday I was gifted with an incredible amount of amazing rhubarb from a family friend again this year. To say I look forward to it is putting it mildly. We love rhubarb in my family, and with a member who now cannot have seeds or skins, which means no berries to go with, I have turned to peeled apples and pineapple to go with in my recipes. I also have to peel the rhubarb, but of course you do not if it is nice and thin skinned. Your choice!

Some of my favorite ways to use rhubarb are in muffins, quick breads, jam/sauce, crisps, rhubarb upside down cake (I just use rhubarb in place of pineapple or a little of both) and of course for my freezer. My next project I am going to try are rhubarb scones some day when the spirit hits me. Today, however, I went with a quick apple rhubarb crisp I like with a simple crust. I like the crust toppings that use melted butter because I am not a fan of mixing cold butter into the mix. I am not what you call a patient baker so always am looking for the easy way out as they say....

Always note that a crisp will thicken as it cools, or it should, and the melted butter toppings harden as they cool also. Because I am all about the fruits and not so much the topping, I keep my topping very thin. Your kitchen your choice! (See note)

Here is what I do: preheated oven 350

Lightly spray my 10-inch skillet

Mix 3 heaping cups prepared rhubarb

2 cups peeled thinly sliced apple of choice

3 Tbsp of cornstarch

1/2 cup of sugar

1 heaping teaspoon cinnamon and set aside

Next, I mix

1 cup of oatmeal of choice

1/3 cup flour

1/2 cup of dark brown sugar

Add 1/2 cup of melted butter until well blended

Place my fruit mix in my prepared pan

Spread topping in a thin layer

Sprinkle with a cinnamon/sugar mixture(optional)

Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes or until bubbly

Let cool before serving

Note: Of course, you could double the topping ingredients if you desire for a thicker topping crust and or even use your own favorite topping recipe.

We love our crisps topped with whipped cream, others prefer ice cream, either way I am pretty sure your family will devour it and think you are the coolest mom ever!

Happy Cooking, Be Safe!!