Discovering new allergies is never a fun experience.
Now, I am a person known for having interesting allergies. Pool chemicals make me look like I’m still wearing my bathing suit for hours after I’ve taken it off (if I don’t pre-dose with benadryl and shower immediately afterwards, that is). The adhesive from cardiac monitors made me look like I had lyme disease on my chest and abdomen for a week after surgery. Eating blue cheese can land me in the hospital with my entire GI system waging war. Hyacinths, my grandmother’s favorite flower, at her funeral made me appear to be sobbing uncontrollably for the entire day.
And yet somehow I’m not allergic to the average things. Go figure.
It was the Fourth of July and I was in living in Phoenix at the time. At Tempe Town Lake (which I might add isn’t even a lake at all, but essentially a man-made channel that brings water all around the Phoenix metro area), they would do a 45 minute fireworks show to celebrate our nation.
Since I was only living in Phoenix for 3-4 months in a furnished condo, I didn’t have anything that even mildly resembled a picnic blanket to lie on while watching fireworks. So, my ex and I headed down there, figuring we would just sit on the grass.
When the fireworks started, we realized that lying down on the grass was a better idea. About halfway through the show, I realized that my back was really starting to itch. At first I thought it was maybe just a bug crawling on me (after all, we were lying on the grass), or maybe it just was that the dry grass (come one, this was grass in Phoenix) was just scratching me.
Upon getting home. I went to wash my face in the bathroom. I then, after turning, saw my back and gasped.
I was allergic to grass. My entire back from my head to my toe (beside the parts covered by clothes) was a mass of angry hives that had started to blister.
Needless to say, in summer I’m always wearing sandals unless I’m at the beach. And I always bring a chair or a picnic blanket.
Hive Free Mixed Berry Oatmeal Cookie Cobbler
well, unless you’re my ex…he was allergic to fruit
Ingredients
- 1 c packed brown sugar
- 1/2 c butter, softened
- 1 tbsp vanilla
- 1 egg
- 1 c whole-wheat flour
- 1 c rolled oats
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 10 c fresh fruit, or enough to fill up a 9×13 baking dish halfway (I used a container of strawberries and 2-3 pints of blueberries, but feel free to use whatever you’d like…I’ve made this before with cherries, peaches, etc…anything on sale that you can throw in the oven is delicious!!!)
- 1/3 c granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
How-to
- In a large bowl (or stand mixer), cream together the sugar and butter. Add the vanilla and egg. Mix in the flour, rolled oats, baking powder, and salt. Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes (but a few hours works fine, too!).
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Fill a 9×13 in glass baking dish with fruit (it should come up about halfway). Sprinkle fruit with granulated sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice.
- Scoop cookie mixture on top of the fresh fruit. Bake for 40-50 minutes or until the cookie dough looks lightly browned.
- Let cool for at least 10-15 minutes for fruit juices to set and serve.
This is also pretty healthy, too!
domestic diva, M.D. 
🙂 All of allergies are sinus related.
I am not much of a dessert person, but this sounds absolutely yummy.
Such an appetizing photo!
Are you positive that it was the grass and not something seeping out of Tempe Town “Lake”? That thing is pretty gnarly. We once went to breakfast after doing a triathlon in it. I thought that they had cooked something nasty in the kitchen until I realized it was those of us that had swam in the “lake” that were smelling up the place! The joys of living in the desert:)
Haha I did think that at first, but walking in other grass bothers me, too 😉
i have to admit, that you do have unusual allergies. no more lying in the grass for you young lady! your recipe looks delicious!
I’m allergic to really random stuff too. Up until I was 3 or 4, I was allergic to wheat. Always been pretty allergic to grass. At 18 I developed a bad allergy to soy milk, and somewhere along the way also became mildly allergic to random fruits (apples, peaches, carrots…). You’re not alone!
I like the idea of the oatmeal cookie dough…will have to try this…~mkg
Sounds great! I especially like the oatmeal addition – can’t wait to try it. I live in the Phoenix area, so I know what you mean by Tempe Town “Lake” and dry grass; also, I’m allergic to most fresh fruit. The good thing is, if I cook the fruit then I can eat it, so cobblers are a heavenly solution. By the way, if you find an acceptable way to cook cantaloupe, let me know!
Looks delicious!
I’m always glad when you post. Collect all these for a very entertaining cook book. (I know–with all your free time! 🙂 )
I would love to have a cookbook some day…maybe once residency is done… 🙂
Both my sons are allergic to grass. The oldest wanted a job mowing lawns but that was out of the question!
Love cobbler!!!
You have had interesting experiences with men, and I’ve just been following you for a short time.
I’ve been allergic to grass and alcohol for as long as I can remember. I’m a mess in Spring with allergic rhinitis. The Cobbler looks nice. Cobbler is not a well known dish in Australia unfortunately.
Looks fantastic! I love using oats in baked goods.
signed, Someone who came home from a walk yesterday with welts from the knees down. 😉
I live in Phoenix too – the grass is deadly here… ^_^ And don’t even get me started on fire ants.
But the cobbler looks amazing! Will have to give it a try!
Sorry to hear about the allergies. I do like the look of your mixed berry cobbler – I would serve with ice cream for that extra delicious hot/cold combination.
Delish looking! Shame there’s no tasting button in WordPress!
Ouch! There’s nothing like a good dessert to ease the pain though! 🙂
I’ve never heard of being allergic to grass..Learn something new everyday! Hive Free Mixed Berry Oatmeal Cookie Cobbler looks awesome! Just might have to try this one:)
Mmmm looks yummy! I will have to try this. Thank you for following my blog!
http://lovelyseasonscomeandgo.wordpress.com
yes i am allergic to tons of things too, i know how you feel. but that cobber looks really appetizing. I cannot wait to try and make it. Betty
So I’ve been following your blog (and addicted to it) for a while now. That’s why you were one of the first in mind for the Inspiring Blog Award! Congratulations! Your posts are well-written, funny and touching and I love the format and the way recipes are integrated into every hilarious anecdote! Awesome. http://taliamarcheggiani.wordpress.com/2012/07/21/the-inspiring-blog-award/#more-1565 Congratulations!
While I don’t usually make desserts, I do love to consume them, so I may just try to make this and then re-blog it, if Dr. Diva has no objections.
Of course not!
I don’t have any allergies, yay! So, I am able to experiment with all kinds of ingredients. However, have to say the old-fashioned butter, flour, sugar et al is still my favorite way to go. But it’s nice that there are options out there for people who can’t just have anything and everything.
Your dessert looks delish! And it doesn’t veer away from the traditional recipes much at all. I shall try it. 🙂
I used to laugh at people with allergies … now every summer I get hay fever and my pockets are stuffed with damp tissues … this is karma or something … the only other thing I’m allergic to is socks … you’re my Blog of the Month …
Yum! This looks like a must-try, even though, as others have said, I don’t usually make dessert.
I’m not really an eat-dessert person myself, but I love this one!