Beating high blood pressure with all-time favourite apple crisp

Why not enjoy your proverbial "apple a day" in a satisfyingly sweet dessert? An abundance of apples, a crunchy oatmeal topping and a spoonful of yogurt add up to a crisp that's full of flavour and nutrition. Here's an easy recipe that helps oyu enjoy the nutritional benefits of apples.

Preparation time 25 minutes

Cooking time 40 minutes

Serves 12

• 30 ml (2 tbsp) plus 125 g (1/2 c) packed light brown sugar
• 30 ml (2 tbsp) plus 75 g (1/3 c) all-purpose flour
• 5 ml (1 tsp) cinnamon
• Salt to taste
• 1 vanilla bean (about 12-cm/5-inches long) or 5 ml (1 tsp) vanilla extract
• 45 ml (3 tbsp) fresh lemon juice
• 1.5 kg (3 lb) baking apples
• 125 g (1/2 c) old-fashioned oats
• 90 ml (6 tbsp) cold margarine, cut into pieces
• 1 L (1 qt) frozen nonfat vanilla yogurt

1. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Lightly coat 33 x 23-cm (13 x 9-inch) baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Mix 30 millilitres (2 tablespoons) brown sugar, 30 millilitres (2 tablespoons) flour, 2 millilitres (1/2 teaspoon) cinnamon and salt to taste in food processor bowl. Cut vanilla bean in half lengthwise with paring knife. Scrape out seeds with the back of knife. Add to food processor and pulse to combine, about 10 seconds. Or put in medium bowl and work with hands until well mixed.

2. Put lemon juice in large bowl. Peel apples and cut into 0.5-cm (1/4-inch) slices. Add to bowl, tossing with juice frequently. Sprinkle with brown sugar mixture and toss until evenly coated. Spread in baking dish.3. Combine oats, remaining brown sugar, remaining flour and remaining cinnamon in a medium bowl. Using your fingers, work margarine into flour mixture until coarse crumbs appear. Sprinkle over apples. Bake until topping is golden and apples are tender, about 40 minutes. Serve with scoops of frozen yogurt.

• Make a pear crisp. Substitute 1.5 kilograms (3 pounds) Bartlett or Comice pears for the apples.
• Increase the fibre in this dessert by using whole-wheat flour in place of the white.

• Both apples and oats are great for helping reduce heart disease. The soluble fibre they contain aids in withdrawing cholesterol from the blood.

Each serving provides:

Key nutrients: 270 Calories, 60 Calories from Fat, 6 g Fat, 1 g Saturated Fat, 1 g Trans Fat, 5 g Protein, 50 g Carb, 4 g Fibre, 130 mg Sodium

Blood pressure nutrients: 8 mg Vitamin C, 20 mg Magnesium, 342 mg Potassium, 125 mg Calcium