Jean Safford's apple crisp

Serves 6 to 8

8 Granny Smith apples, peeled and sliced (to make 8 cups)

2 tablespoons boiling water

Grated rind and juice of 1 lemon

3/4 cup flour

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut up

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Set the oven at 375 degrees. Butter a shallow 2-quart baking dish or deep 10-inch ceramic pie pan.

Put the apples into the dish or pan, and pour the boiling water over them. Sprinkle with lemon rind and juice.

In a bowl combine the flour, sugar, butter, salt, and cinnamon. Blend with a fork until the mixture resembles bread crumbs. Spread the flour mixture over the apples and transfer the dish to the oven.

Bake the crisp for 40 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the apples are soft. Adapted from Jean Safford.