Just Desserts

I was inspired to try some "healthy-ish" desserts this week by a client. She professed to loving desserts, and really, who doesn't have a sweet tooth for something? Part of my take on eating better is that food is meant to be enjoyed, and tasty and healthy are not mutually exclusive.

I was happy to try this recipe from Vegetarian Times Magazine for an Apple Custard Pie with Oatmeal Crust.

It's a great dessert choice because the oats and the apple are packed with nutrients. Oats contain plenty of protein, B vitamins, calcium, iron and a form of fiber that helps lower your LDL cholesterol. An apple a day of course, keeps the doctor away.

A few recipe hints: if you can't find oat flour or milk you can substitute with whole wheat or white flour (of course I recommend whole wheat flour) and either soy or regular milk. Make sure to use old fashioned oats (not the instant kind) and use an 8 inch pie pan so the crust turns out ok. You can also cut the sugar in half, literally, trust me it will still be sweet. Just use 1/8 cup brown sugar in the crust and 1/8 cup sugar in the filling. You can omit the extra sugar on top. Also the original recipe calls for vegan margarine instead of butter, but I recommend real butter, organic if you can, it's a much better choice health wise...more on the butter vs. margarine debate later.

Apple Custard Pie with Oatmeal Crust

Crust

• 1 cup old fashioned oats
• 1/2 cup oat flour
• 1/4 cup light or dark brown sugar
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup (4 tbsp) butter melted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F, coat 8 inch pie pan, greased with cooking spray or butter

Stir together oats, oat flour, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, in large bowl. Stir in butter and 1/4 cup of water until dough forms. Press dough into bottom and sides of pie pan, moistening fingers with cold water to prevent sticking. Place pan on baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes or until crust is light brown and bottom looks dry.

Filling

• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup plus 2tbsp, divided
• 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup oat milk
• 3 small apples, peeled, cored and cut into 8 wedges each (I used one and a half large apples)
• 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon

Whisk together eggs, 1/4 cup sugar, and vanilla in bowl. Whisk in oat milk until smooth. Arrange apple wedges on bottom of prebaked crust. Pour filling into crust, over apples, and return to oven. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until filling is set. Stir together remaining 2 tbs of sugar and 1/8 tsp of cinnamon, sprinkle over hot pie. Cool on wire rack.

This was a very tasty dessert and a hit with everyone around the dinner table.