As I edge more into my 30s, I’m finding that Saturday nights snuggled on the couch watching Netflix is my new idea of a good time. Honestly, I can’t remember the last time I went out and painted the town. The last time I ventured outside after 7pm on a Saturday night, I was going to the movies. I was back home and in bed by 10:30pm – and I considered that late. Seriously becoming a nana over here!
Not sure if it’s an age thing or not, but I seem to be embracing my introversion a lot more these days. I’m such a homebody. I love pottering around the house, doing DIY projects, cooking, writing, singing, playing music. I even love cleaning for goodness’ sake! (Only my own place though. So don’t get ideas.) Home is my happy place. And apple crumble makes me feel at home. Growing up we’d often have it for dessert on Sunday evenings, after the usual traditional English Sunday dinner. I guess because it’s pretty easy to throw together and not too labour intensive. It can easily be made with rhubarb too, if you have some of that growing in the garden – I would definitely add a little bit of sugar to the rhubarb though, unless you really like the tartness.
Apple crumble, served with some soy or coconut cream, pjs, cup of tea and a Netflix movie = a perfect Saturday night if you ask me!
Apple Crumble
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup soy/pea/chickpea flour
- 1/2 cup brown rice flour
- 1/2 cup rolled oats* *use gluten-free oats if required
- 1/4 tsp xanthan gum (or guar gum)
- 50 grams dairy-free margarine
- 1/4 cup low GI sugar (or less, if preferred)
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 2 cooking apples peeled, cored and cut into slices
- cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180° C/356° F.
- Peel the cooking apples and discard the core. Cut into slices and put into a saucepan with a couple of tbsp of boiling water. Simmer on a low heat for about 5 mins until the apples begin to soften. Take off the heat and drain.
- In a bowl, mix together all the flours, oats and the xanthan gum, ensuring they’re fully blended.
- Add the dairy free margarine/shortening and, using your fingertips, rub the margarine into the flour. Work through until the mixture has the texture of thick breadcrumbs.
- Add the sugar and the nutmeg and stir through the mixture. If you have a real sweet tooth then aim for about ¼ cup of sugar, otherwise you can get away with a bit less.
- In a small ovenproof dish (about 10 x 10 cm), spread the apples evenly along the bottom and sprinkle with cinnamon.
- Then cover the apples with the crumble mixture until it’s about 1/2 cm from the top of the dish. Press the crumble down lightly to compact the mixture and make the surface flat.
- Place in the oven for about 20 mins until lightly browned on top.
- Once out of the over allow to cool for about 5-10 mins and then dig in and enjoy! Serve with your favourite choice of cream, ice cream or custard – or enjoy it on its own.