A recipe at last...Apple and Blackberry Crumble....yummy!

I've been away in Glasgow for a few days...did you miss me? 

Anyway moving on swiftly, it's been such a long time since I last posted a recipe, that I thought it was time I did...especially as I have 2.5 kilos of blackberry's to use up now that I've been foraging through the country lanes. 

Jamie Oliver  would be proud of me...although I have to say McMuffy wasn't.

She wasn't happy at all when I kept stopping constantly on HER walk. It's okay when she wants to stop and sniff everything within a 10 mile radius, but that's her calling the shots and not me! This time it was different and came as a shock to her. 

I mean it's not as if she was to get the spoils at the end of it...not like finding bones or doggy chews, but we compromised and had a successful forage! 

Therefore we can now bake an Apple and Blackberry crumble....yummeeeeeeeeeeey!

The apple in the photo below was just to keep me going whilst out foraging. 

I'd eaten enough blackberry's to feed a village, so I thought I'd end with an apple just to keep the balance and to accompany all those berries. 

I couldn't wait for the crumble ;D

Unfortunately at the moment I don't have apple trees in my garden, but I do plan to plant cordons at some stage. I'm quite excited about having my own fruit trees in the future. 

But for now it had to be a quick trip to the local supermarket to buy some Bramley apples. I always like to cook with Bramley's but over the years when I haven't been able to source any, I've had to improvise by using eating apples but omitted adding additional sugar. 

In fact that may well be a better option for some people watching their sugar intake. 

I have to remain strong and focused at this stage...not eating the whole pan full as they stew. 

If you look closely at the wooden spoon below you will see that it's from Melbourne Queen Victoria Market. Oh such memories...I think it's the first time that I've actually used it. 

I'm not even sure I wanted to use it, but I didn't notice which spoon it was until it was too late. 

Sprinkling the crumble on top of the wonderful smelling warm apple and blackberries...mmm...not long now!

The recipe is written below although it's such a simple thing to make, you probably all have your own recipes already. 

But maybe if you are new to baking or have just got the baking bug it might be of some help. 

When time is of the essence a crumble is a quick simple recipe to rustle up, it's easy and doesn't everyone love a crumble? 

I thought I'd use my retro apple dessert dishes to present it to you. 

I thought it would be fun for the photo.

And now here's the serious bit of todays post...(maybe it should come with a warning)...

...it's my potential veggie plot! 

I know...I know...it's going to be a lot of work but I'm not thinking about that right now, otherwise I'll never start. 

I do have a plan but I'll save that for another day ;D

And so finally to the recipe 

Fruit Crumble Serves 4-6
750g (1lb 10oz) fruit (in this instance I'm using apples and blackberries)
45g (1½oz) granulated sugar2tbsp water
For Topping
225g (8oz) plain flour
100g (3½oz) Butter (room temperature), cut into cubes
45g (1½oz) granulated sugar

Method
Preheat the oven to 180C (fan 160⁰C/350⁰F/Gas 4). Put the fruit in a baking dish measuring about 25 x 20cm (10x8in) and 5cm (2in) deep. Sprinkle the fruit with the sugar and water.
Make the crumble topping: Place the flour in a bowl and add the butter. Rub the butter into the flour, then stir in the sugar.
Scatter the crumble topping evenly over the fruit. Bake for 45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and fruit juices are bubbling.
Serve with cream, icecream or custard.

There are lots of variations for a fruit crumble...adding apples, sultana's and nuts, plums, or using half wholemeal and half white flour...the options are endless.

I hope you'll enjoy this perfect pudding for a winter's day after Sunday lunch perhaps or maybe just because?!?!!

Enjoy foraging if you're out and about. 

It is harvest time after all. 

Well in my part of the world it is! 

I hope to see you again soon