Finally back to blogging after a little computer annoyance! Though, I am happy now that I have broadband. So much has happened over the past few weeks, many ups and downs, so in some ways it has probably been a blessing that I had no p.c. I don't know where to start, so I will start with a little autumn warming dessert recipe. I have tried this a few times over the past few weeks and its a bit of a winner in my home, so took a few photos of the creation.
With the price of food shooting through the roof, I am trying to be resourceful with what I can find in the garden. We have a glut of cooking apples and eating apples, therefore my recipe is for Apple and Plum Crumble. The plums are one of the few fruits which are quite cheap in the shops.
This is a dish that anybody can make, and even easier if you have a mini master chef with you to make the crumble.
Now, everyone wash your hands, pop on an apron and pay attention
Can serve 8 (or in my case 1)
8 fresh dark plums, cut in half and stones removed
8 cooking apples, fresh from the tree, or bottom of the tree
nutmeg
cinnamon stick
glass of red wine
4tbsp of caster sugar
FOR THE CRUMBLE
100g butter
100g brown sugar
200g plain flour
Pre-heat the oven to 200 c /gas mark 6
Saute the plums and apples with the butter for a few minutes. Add a teaspoon of nutmeg, the cinnamon stick, red wine, sugar and 50ml of water, then bring to the boil and simmer for about 8 minutes.
As the fruit breaks down to a thick, syrup like texture, place in an ovenproof dish. I am putting some in a large dish and some in a little individual dish (so I can take one to my mothers)
My son is always more than pleased to measure the ingredients, sift the flour and make the crumble.
Sprinkle the crumble over the fruit and bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes or until golden.
This is a before photo, just to show you how sweet the crumble is as an individual portion, in my 1970's dish I bought from a charity shop.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly, before serving with custard, ice-cream or cream. I have opted for cream today. This is such a lovely comfort food and with the cinnamon and nutmeg, you have this glorious warm homely aroma wafting around the house, which make the dark early evenings seem a little cosier.
