For the love of Food - A collection of recipes

Apple Crumble

Apple crumble is one of those dishes that's basic and comforting when it's cold. It also very easy and you can play about with the ingredients without it coming to any harm. Add some blueberries or blackberries to the apples. Add or take away the nuts. Whatever takes your fancy.

Ingredients

1 lb 8 oz (700 g) Bramley apples
8 oz (225 g) Cox's apples
1 oz (25 g) light brown soft sugar
1 level teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ level teaspoon ground cloves

For the crumble:

4 oz (110 g) finely chopped almonds or hazelnuts (or a mix of both)
3 oz (75 g) chilled butter, cut into small dice
6 oz (175 g) self-raising flour, sifted
2 level teaspoons ground cinnamon
4 oz (110 g) demerara sugar

To serve:

custard or pouring cream

Pre-heat the oven to gas mark 6, 400°F (200°C).

You will also need ovenproof baking dish measuring 7½ x 11 inches (19 x 28 cm) and 1¾ inches (4.5 cm) deep.

Peel and core the apples. Then cut them into thickish slices and toss them in a bowl with the sugar, cinnamon and ground cloves, then place them in the baking dish and put to one side.

Next make the crumble. All you do is place the butter, sifted flour, cinnamon and sugar in a bowl and rub with your hands until it resembles crumbs. Next add the almonds and mix again.

Now simply sprinkle the crumble mixture all over the apples, spreading it right up to the edges of the dish, and, using the flat of your hands, press it down quite firmly all over; the more tightly it is packed together the crisper it will be. Then finish off by lightly running a fork all over the surface.

Now bake the crumble on the centre shelf of the oven for 35-40 minutes, by which time the apples will be soft and the topping golden brown and crisp. Leave it to rest for 10-15 minutes before serving, then serve it warm with custard or pouring cream.

posted by Zoozan @ Monday, February 20, 2006