I've been apple crumbling

I can honestly say that I'm not one of the best cooks around.  Certainly I can feed the family without any dramas and entertain on a minor scale.

As mentioned previously, my big addiction is to reading food blogs and cookbooks.  The problem is that, just like decluttering, I'm great on imagery but no real action.

However I can happily say that I tried a new recipe and it was great!  I've been making lots of apple crumble over the years, and with many variation on the theme depending on what fruit was at hand at the time (apple and pear/apple and berry etc).

My usual crumble topping  mix is one I make up as I go along and most times involves a few weetbix, brown sugar and butter.  This recipe looked appealing and I had some ginger snaps in the cupboard so thought I'd give it a go.  Next time, because we all love ginger, I will be adding more - maybe grating some raw ginger into the apple mix as it cooks.

This is my adaptation of the recipe (that's another fault - I never stick accurately to a recipe!).

Gingernut oat apple crumble ( adapted from Allyson Gofton, Slow)

12 ginger nut biscuits roughly crushed (I just broke them up)

1 cup rolled oats

1/2 cup flour (I used wholemeal)

1/2 cup coconut (I used shredded)

1/4 cup sugar (I used raw)

115g butter melted

(I also threw in some toasted pine nuts/slivered almonds which I had in the freezer.  Probably about 1/2 cup)

Mix well together and place on top of stewed apples.  Into a ovenproof dish and 180 deg. oven to bake for 30-40 minutes.  The recipe suggests dusting with icing sugar before serving, but I seemed to have forgotten that suggestion.

Very very nice result, and well received here.  Nice hot or cold with or without custard, cream, ice cream or any of the above.  I even had some on my porridge one morning!  The ginger just seems to take it to a different level.

The original recipe uses more sugar (1/2 cup) and more butter (125g).  If you like your crumble mix to be more soft and clingy I would suggest using the original ingredients.  This mix suited us just fine as I always cut down on sugar.  I've always cooked the apple without sugar too.

Just wish I had some decluttering to report, but because it's school holidays at the moment, my main role appears to be entertaining teenage boys.  Maybe I should re-phrase that - entertaining my son's friends -  and driving -here there and everywhere -  work/  gym / footy training / friends houses / movies / having friends stayover. 

I know that many many people do much more than this with more children and I am certainly not complaining.  In fact I am always putting up my hand to drive/entertain because I know that this time next year he  will be driving!

So I'm happy to cook and drive and happy in the knowledge that he is so sociable..... and that his mates are all good kids too.  However,  Judith - I have to say my level of entertaining is not on the scale of lovely blog you mentioned (My French Country Home).  No piano recitals in this house - music of different decibels here!

I'm now getting cross-eyed from the number of links I've been doing - amazing myself really!  Let me know your thoughts on this commenting thingy - I'll be guided by the concensus.  You are the readers!

 

Cheers for now - Wendy

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Comments on previous post  

HAZEL  - you're right it could get a little busy and I could end up confusing myself with science!  Will just see how it goes, I'm hoping it will settle down into some sort of pattern after a few posts.  Just hope I don't miss out anyone when I do my cut & paste.

Nelly - not sure how the reply button thingy works, I'm just going to try this way and see if people like it!

Judith - Thanks - I'll just have to see how user-friendly it all works out to be. 

...... and because there were a few other comments on the Nasturtiums post ...

delia hornbook - thanks, the colours are so bright and happy.  BTW - I have mailed the vintage pillowcases off to you.  Hope they arrive soon.  

saving for travel  - thanks SFT they certainly are, and much under rated in my humble opinion!

About some Baking and Drooling

Well I thought I'd try Anne's Lemon Coconut slice  and it certainly was quick and easy!  I am not the type of person to quickly whip up a cake.  Although I love love love reading cook books and cooking blogs, my  actual cooking style leaves a bit to be desired.  Actually more baking skills I think.

 So this slice was a real hit.  It was certainly soft and tasty, and despite the fact that I had run out of caster sugar and used brown sugar instead (that's the sort of cook I am) the recipe was very forgiving and it still turned out well.   I will most certainly be using it again, particularly during citrus season.

Photo artfully arranged.  I don't always have afternoon tea like this - maybe with visitors.  However, just as an aside - whatever happened to Splayds?  I happen to be a real fan and think that they are a great implement.  What do others think?  Have you ever used a splayd or do you own a set?

The only items today from home produce was the lousy looking but very juicy lemon and two eggs.  Our chooks are on the 'go slow' again and some days there are no eggs at all.  However, I do have a few at hand luckily.  I couldn't use much of the lemon rind though - my poor lemon tree has only yielded three lemons to date, and is suffering from sooty mould.  So I will have to attend to that in due course (which translates to 'pretty low on the priority list').

Higher on the priority list, in fact the very next cake I'm going to bake will be Ali's Whole Orange Cake which looks scrummy too.  There are certainly plenty of oranges and mandarins in our orchard at the moment I'm definitely on the citrus trail.

I have also tried out Gooseberry Jam's Plain Cake recipe.  In fact I baked 4 at once!  If you know my baking prowess you would be suitably impressed.  I know that my family were.  I then proceeded to transform 3 of those Plain Cakes into this amateurish mess  masterpiece for son's 16th.  If you squint through the alfoil glare, you may be able to make out numeral 16.   Plus I even have one more cake to spare in the freezer for further eating pleasure.  I must say GB it is certainly a handy recipe to have and to vary.

We went to see Mark Seymour on the weekend on the Gold Coast.  Oh so Fabulous.  It was a small theatre with table seating and we had great seats.  Luckily the hubster was there to stop me throwing myself on the stage which was so close - only about 1 metre away.   I did take some photos on my phone, but they are way too pitiful to show.  I have been a long time fan and he just has a new album out at the moment.

Highly recommended.  Also just so nice to have a weekend away together, and to see some live music!  Managed to catch up with friends on Friday on the way to the Coast and enjoy a dinner party.  A neat weekend with beautiful weather as a plus.

 

Cheers for now Wendy