We’re in the season of British apples.
Living in Kent I am surrounded by orchards of apples and pears, and if you have time to go to a farmers market, you’ll get loads of exciting, unusual and delicious varieties, that are not sold in your standard supermarket.
(I don’t quite understand why supermarkets would sell apples from South Africa and New Zealand at this time of year instead of supporting the local farmers?)
We have our own 100 year old apple tree in our garden providing kilos and kilos of yummy cooking apples.
Here’s one of my favourite apple desserts, that is so easy and quick, it does not need loads of preparation or planning:
Apple crumble
For the crumble: use equal amounts of sugar, butter, flour and oats. Crumble flour and sugar together with your fingers, then add sugar and oats and stir it through.
It’s important that the consistency stays crumbly and does not stick together as dough. In a classic recipe you don’t have oats, but I find the oats give it that special extra flavour and bite (besides you could argue that it’s healthier too.)
Peel and slice (or quarter) cooking apples. Immediately drizzle with lemon juice, to stop them going brown.
Mix with handful raisins, some muscovado (brown) sugar and sprinkle of cinnamon and put into one large dish or individual small dishes.
Add the crumble over the top and cook in a preheated oven at 180°C for 30-40 minutes or until golden brown.
Enjoy warm with vanilla ice cream or clotted cream.
