This is the season for preparing pies, jams and chutneys. Trees heavily laden with their fruit sigh in the autumnal winds as the evenings draw in and the verdant foliage of summer turns crimson and gold before spiralling to the ground to create a carpeted mosaic of colour and decay.
With this image in mind I thought we might make an apple and plum crumble or an “Applumble” as I like to call it.
Skip to recipe (Applumble)
As a small child I always dreamed of owning my own apple tree. The idea of a tree that bore edible fruits represented in my young mind a degree of independence and freedom from a reliance on others. It also represented something magical and awe inspiring which lives on to this day.
In January my tree is barren and skeletal like with spikes of ice hanging from its branches catching the winter sunlight like a glitzing ballroom chandelier only to relinquish its hold as the sun reaches its midday zenith.
By March the miracle of renewal begins with the first tender green leaves bursting from their buds followed three to four weeks later by delicate pink and white flowers.
By some miraculous sleight of hand these pink blossoms give way to a pea sized bud which eventually becomes a small but distinguishable apple which in turn ,come autumn , will have grown full sized and ripened red or green to decorate or garnish your plate, give body to your chutney, flavour to your jam and relish to your crumble .
Recipe
Three apples
25 plums
175g plain flour
100g dark brown sugar
110g cold butter
1 teaspoon cinnamon power (optional )
Topping
Sprinkling of oats
Tablespoon of sugar
Method
Heat the oven to 190C/170 fan/gas 5.
Chop the apples and plums into bite sizes and put in a round cake tin.
In a separate bowl mix the flour, sugar and cinnamon
Add the butter and mix with your fingertips until the mixture resemble bread crumbs
Spread the mixture over the fruit and press down gently with a fork
Sprinkle the oats and remain sugar on top.
Place in your preheated oven for 35 -40 minutes. to cool for 10 minutes before indulging in this autumn treat.
Tips
Plums and apples available at a very affordable in most East European shops.
Health Benefits
Apples
Lowers cholesterol.
Reduces blood pressure.
Eases inflammation.
Boosts your microbiome.
Satisfies hunger longer.
Plums
High in vitamin C.
Lowers the inflammation.
Reduce anxiety.
Plums, like prunes, can also help keep things moving through your system and act as a natural laxative.
The potassium in plums is good for blood pressure control.
High in antioxidants
Packed full of fibre.
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