Apple crumble

So I thought I would begin my post in March with phrases like "spring is in the air" or "we can feel spring approaching" BUT it's a different story altogether. SPRING is already here and I find it hard to believe. Last Monday we woke up to thick blankets of snow and today we wake up to new life sprouting from the ground. After six long months we were greeted with a gorgeous sunrise and blue skies. I went out for a long walk and spotted the first spring flowers in private gardens. I could have done a little jig at the first sight of colour!!

Coming back to this recipe, we had first tasted it in the plum form at a friends home two years ago. I had blogged about it here. The fruit crumble is a dish of British origin where fruit either in the raw form or stewed is topped with a crumbly mixture of flour, butter and sugar and then baked in an oven till the topping is brown and crisp. Some of the fruits used in a crumble are apple, plum, peach and blackberry.  The crumble is then named after the fruit which is used in it, as mine would be an apple crumble.
This particular dessert is fast to prepare, can be had as it is or served along with custard, whipped cream or ice cream. It sure is a winner when served at a gathering.

A serving of golden brown apple crumble.

Pictured with a topping of vanilla ice cream.

Ingredients:

• 750 gm or 5 apples
• 50 gm brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon powder

For the crumble:

• 300 gm plain flour
• 175 gm brown sugar
• 200 gm unsalted butter cubed at room temperature
• knob of butter for greasing

Method:

1. Wash, peel, core and chop the apples into small cubes.
2. Mix the chopped apples with the sugar and cinnamon powder. 
3. Sieve the flour. Place the flour and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Taking a few cubes of butter at a time rub into the flour sugar mix. Keep using all the butter and rubbing till the mixture resembles crumbs. 
4. Preheat the oven to 180C.
5. Grease a 26 inch ovenproof dish. Spoon the fruit mixture at the bottom of the dish, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the crumble mixture on top.
6. Bake in the oven for 45 minutes till the crumble is browned.
7. Serve with custard or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.