Yes, I am Vegan

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Apple Quinoa Crumble-For my dearest thatha

by 34 Comments

My thatha (means ‘Grandpa’ in Tamil) passed away 15 days ago. I skype with my mum usually on Sundays. Called her couple of weeks back and dad answered the phone and said thatha had a brain hemorrhage and my heart sank.I just sat there thinking it can’t happen-I remembered the time I hugged him before I flew back to Sydney. I remembered saying I love him. Then, something clicked. He gave me 2000 Rupees and something told me not to spend it. I went searching for my wallet-found the notes.His fingerprints must have been there.I didn’t want to move the notes. Tears streaming down my face, I kissed the notes. Reality hit me. He was on life support and I wasn’t there to hold his hands. Wanted to go to India but sorting my visa would take days. I started sobbing uncontrollably into Sanju’s arms. Life went into a flashback mode-great memories came flooding back and I just wanted to put them all into words.

He is the only grandad I’ve ever knew. My dad’s dad passed away years before I was born. He was my only grandad and he was the best. He was a handsome man, highly intelligent, loved all his kids equally, made every single grandchild of his feel special and loved his wife more than the world itself.

I was his first grandchild. He hired a limo to get me home from hospital 🙂 I am very much like him-Teaching was his profession, loved to paint, adopted pets, has skydived-I followed his track. As a kid, visiting him would be so much fun- We shared a experimenting with physics. We would buy this big piece of magnet and conduct  weird experiments. I still remember me being upset and angry cos he wouldn’t let me solder metals when I was 10. We would make lamps out of coconut shells drilling holes onto them, fitting them with LED bulbs. Have you ever seen 2000 batteries at one place-We collected them. When I was in school, he would come home every evening to see me and ask how my day at school was. E=mc^2 was our favorite equation [I am so going to get a tatoo of this soon]. He spoke 12 languages. He asked me questions on Matrices until the very end 🙂 He loved the fact that I could solve complex maths equations (and laughed at my inability to do simple addition). He taught me how to ride bicycle. He saw me getting married. He got to meet Sanju and they got along so well. I can feel his arms around me.

He used to work for the Indian Military and was very fit. I told him that I would love to run a marathon and when my brother laughed at the idea-he said I should try and I am going to-Thatha, for us- for all you have done for me. My life will never be the same without you. I miss you. More than I can ever put in words. I know you will watch over me and I will make you proud. I love you <3 <3

Thatha LOVED food. He had 32 sweet teeth. Made this amazing crumble thinking about him all the time. This is ridiculously easy and you could put this in the oven when you guests are having their main course-you could put it in the oven-should be ready in 30 mins with aroma of cinnamon and caramelizing apples filling your home 🙂

You need:

For the First layer

  • 3 apples-peeled and cut into small pieces-I love Fuji apples personally, Pink lady should be good too
  • Cinnamon powder-to taste- I added a tsp-that was more than enough for my taste buds
  • Raw Sugar-1 Tbsp
  • Coconut oil-1 tsp

For the Second Layer

  • Walnuts- broken into bits

For the Crust Layer

  • Quinoa Flakes-1/2 heaped cup
  • Oven Roasted Almond meal/Normal Almond meal-1/2 heaped cup
  • Raw Sugar-1/4 cup (more or less depending on how sweet you like it-This is on dot for me)
  • Vanilla seeds-from half bean
  • Coconut oil-2-3 Tbsp melted

Method:

  • Preheat Oven to 200 deg
  • Coat the ceramic dish with some coconut oil
  • Mix ingredients for the first layer and transfer it to the ceramic dish
  • Sprinkle walnuts, that’s the next layer-Crunch of roasted walnuts when you’re having baked apples is amazing
  • Get your hands in and rub all the ingredients for the crust until they look like bread crumbs-More coconut oil if you like
  • Bake until the crust looks browned 🙂

  • Serve with Banana Swirl Icecream [Recipe coming soon]

  • Enjoy a healthy dessert 🙂

I am starting my ‘insanity’ workout tomorrow. I did it for 10 days before the wedding and ended up losing 5 kilos :). Going to take up health even more seriously. Biggest Marathon here in Sydney is our Blackmores. 3rd week of September -usually. I am planning to start my training on the day itself and train for an year. It would be amazing to do it and do it for my grandad <3

Update on the 1st year since thatha passed away: I did not do it Thatha. I am sorry. I am going to try again. Next May, there is a half-marathon that is happening.

Comments

  1. Dear Charanya, My deepest condolences to you and your family. Your post reflects your love and respect for your grandfather. The best we can do for those who leave us behind is live by the principles they teach us.

    Reply

  2. Charanya, I feel so sorry to hear about your thatha. Grandparents shower thr love and being first grand daughter I can very well relate your feel.
    I love apple crumble, when we happen to stay in a hotel for a week every morning I see apple crumble in breakfast menu. After tasting it I loved and tried with all purpose flour long back but like your version with quinoa

    Reply

  3. I’m so sorry for your loss. This dish is a wonderful tribute! Insanity is a a GREAT workout- I’m trying to get back into it it, too!

    Reply

  5. I am sorry to hear about your grandfather, Charanya, but I am glad that you got to know him and spend several amazing years and have wonderful memories with him! I am sure he would have loved your apple quinoa crumble!

    Reply

  6. Hi Charu, words can do little to help, however I wish that you remain strong and continue to live happily by the fond memories that you cherish of your dearest thatha!
    All the best for your training! 🙂

    Reply

  7. How lovely to read about your Thatha, what wonderful memories you have, I’m so sorry that you have lost him xx the crumble looks great, I love the topping. Good luck with your training – you can do it! If you decide that you can, then you will 🙂

    Reply

  8. Very sorry to hear about the loss of your thatha. I could relate each and every word you have written with my thatha who means the world to me more than my parents. His blessings, wishes will always be with you. I know its hard but you have to move on. Cheers sweetie 🙂 Crumble looks very lovely. All the best for your marathon dedicating to thatha, you can do the best girl, go on 🙂

    Reply

  11. While going through I could feel the pain in you charanya….and while writing in words it would be more difficult. ….I went back to my memories with my grandma as I was very close to her than thatha. …n after that loss of my dad was the ever biggest loss for me but beleive they are with me….you are following your thatha so that’s really g8 ….He will be watching you and feel proud. ..cheer up sweetie. …..btwn crumble looks amazing….. <3 <3

    Reply

  12. You took me back to my childhood. I had a string connection with my baba (grandfather).. My dad’s dad! He is gone but I still feel his presence as a guardian angel. May he rest in peace Charanya! Hugs.
    The crumble is super cool!

    Reply

  15. Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful memories of your life with your grandad. I’m terribly sorry for your loss. I lost all my grandparents by age of 23. What I wouldn’t do for one more day with them. I loved this recipe before I read about your life with him. Every time I make this I will remember what you shared, and think of you and grandad, and my own 2 grandmothers who would totally love this. Thank you again for another great recipe.

    Reply

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