Apple Berry Crumble {Recipe}

The weather is definitely warming up, and summer is just around the corner! With warm summer days comes an exciting array of delectable dishes and refreshing beverages. I recently bought a 10" round cast iron skillet, and surprisingly it has turned out to be one of my favorite purchases! I thought I'd share one of my new favorite recipes, which is perfect for any occasion. This mouthwatering recipe was adapted from Happyolks' Cardamom Oat Crumble. I simplified the ingredients a tiny bit to make this recipe more convenient for college students like myself, but feel free to add your own unique touches! This irresistibly delicious dessert is sure to impress at small gatherings and summer dinner parties. Food styling and photography by yours truly. Enjoy! And I'd love to see photos if you decide to try this recipe out for yourself! :)

INGREDIENTS

1 cup flour

1 1/3 cup quick-cooking oats

1/4 cup sugar

2/3 cup brown sugar

1/4 tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

12 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

• ———

1 package Trader Joe's Very Cherry Berry Blend (frozen fruit)

1 apple, thinly sliced

1/2 orange, juiced

1/4 cup sugar

4 tbsp cornstarch

DIRECTIONS
1. Mix flour, oats, sugar, brown sugar, salt, and cinnamon in a large bowl.
2. Add melted butter and stir together. Set aside.
3. Preheat oven to 375°.
4. Butter 10” cast iron skillet.
5. Add frozen fruit and apple slices to just below the fill line.
6. Mix together with orange juice, sugar, and cornstarch.
7. Spread oat topping to cover the fruit completely.
8. Bake for 45-50 minutes until the fruit is bubbling thick, and the oat topping is beginning to brown.
9. Let cool for 30 minutes before serving with vanilla bean ice cream.

For all of you cast iron skillet owners out there, what other recipes have you tried with your skillet? So far, I have successfully made Roasted Rosemary Potatoes (perfect for breakfast!) and this Apple Berry Crumble. Next on my list will probably be Baked Macaroni & Cheese. I'd love to experiment more, so feel free to share! Happy cooking! :)

xx Kristin

Chartreuse Green Doors

Early this morning, I went to breakfast at Selland's Market-Cafe for the first time. I absolutely loved it from the moment I stepped through those chartreuse green doors. The surprisingly large cafe had a refreshingly modern yet somewhat old-fashioned vibe and decor to die for: menu items handwritten on white-framed chalkboards, hanging mason jar lights, trendy lettering, wooden crates, colorful cupcake displays, walls lined with wine bottles, and so much more. The black, white, and green color scheme couldn't have been pulled off any better. I can't even imagine a more perfect look for a cafe. After studying the menu for quite a bit, I decided on French Toast Casserole along with a slice of cheesecake. The cheesecake was heavenly; definitely the best I've ever tasted. I can't wait to go back and try one of their warm sandwiches or maybe even a pizza! Selland's definitely made it onto my list of favorite places to eat. Delicious food, a great variety of wine and desserts, and a delightful interior. Absolutely divine. If you haven't yet had the pleasure of eating at Selland's, I recommend you make a point to try it in the near future. And they're open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!

Think of your favorite restaurant/eatery. What makes it so enjoyable...is it the tasty food, the atmosphere, the service? A combination of those?

xx Kristin

Something About This Place

Some places just have a way of resonating in your heart, capturing your imagination, and inspiring the dreamer inside us all. There are two cafes in San Luis Obispo that I have fallen head over heels in love with: Kreuzberg, CA Book Bar and Coffee Lounge and Sally Loo's Wholesome Cafe, both conveniently located in downtown SLO. Not simply because of the mouth-watering menu, but because of the delightful interior design and the effervescent atmosphere.

There's something about Kreuzberg that made me feel at home the second I walked in. There are hundreds of paintings and books lining the walls, vintage lamps hanging from the ceiling, and antique sofas and chess sets everywhere. The menu items are all named after famous authors; I usually order the Shel Silverstein or the Dante. Cutest place ever. :)

I had often heard about Sally Loo's, but I never actually went there until my birthday earlier this month. I absolutely adored it. It was love at first sight, and the delicious food just boosted my love for this cute little cafe. Let's just say I want my future home to look like that. Light turquoise paint and brick walls, leather couches, wooden coffee tables, abstract paintings, and unique light fixtures. My sister and I ordered a Waffle with Fruit and a Sir Thomas Turkey Panini, and we both ate half of each. It was nothing short of delicious. And to top it all off, they had tiny mason jars to use as water glasses. Pretty sure Sally Loo's and I were meant to be. Can't wait to go back and try the Acai Bowl!

(Update: Finally tried the Acai Bowl, and let's just say it was heaven to my tastebuds. It's my new favorite thing to order at Sally Loo's, and there's never a time when I'm not craving it!)

These photos don't even do them justice, so you'll have to go check them out for yourself if you haven't already! If you like adorable cafes with tasty breakfast food and sandwiches, you'll definitely love Kreuzberg and Sally Loo's. The best places in SLO, if you ask me.

What are some of your favorite places to go to in your city? What makes them special?

xx Kristin