The apple has enjoyed a long and storied role in the development of human society. We are all familiar with the apple as the object of the temptation of Adam by Eve. A lesser-known tale is the origin of the apple dessert, which I describe below, and is attributed to Mrs. Isaac Newton, the wife of the famed English scientist of the 17th century.

I shall enlighten you with a brief synopsis of the story: In 1666, Isaac Newton was, according to local legend, taking a nap under a tree when a large apple dropped onto his head. Isaac arose, holding his head and muttered, in his best Latin, "gravis", meaning "heavy", which undoubtedly was true. As an aside, it should be noted that, at that moment, passing in the lane, was a member of the Royal Physical Society of England, who misinterpreted Newton's utterance as "gravity", and immediately assumed that Newton had just discovered the origin of celestial mechanics, the concept of gravitation. But I digress.

Upon hearing the commotion in the orchard, Mrs. Newton did what every housewife would do in this circumstance, ignored her injured husband and searched for the fallen apple. Finding the apple, she was irritated that Isaac's cranium had left a bruise, which made it unsuitable for sale at the local market. However, being both frugal and inventive, she took a knife and sliced the apple, removing the bruised section, and with some condiments she had in the Newton kitchen, concocted the following, legendary recipe:

Newton's Apple Dessert:
8 apples*
2 cups sugar
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
2/3 cup melted butter
Cinnamon
Vanilla ice cream

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Peel and slice apples, then transfer them to a 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Set aside.

Sift together sugar, flour, baking powder and salt into a large bowl. Work in eggs until mixture looks like a crumb topping. Sprinkle mixture evenly over apples. Pour melted butter over mixture and sprinkle with cinnamon.

Bake until apples are bubbling and topping is golden, about 40 to 45 minutes. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream. Serves 8

*Any variety of apple, or combinations of varieties work with this recipe.

Author's note: I have nearly exhausted my meager recipe file. My remaining recipes are entitled: "Hot Dogs Provençal" and "Squirrel Tartare with Bud Light", the latter contributed by my game-hunter husband.

With the Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, and New Year's holiday celebrations coming soon, I would, seriously, appreciate your favorite family recipes for this column. Please send your recipes with any real or, since we are in the political season, grossly exaggerated stories about them, to me at: Sweetrevenge@mbecc.com