Forgive the title but needs must in difficult times. Yes, it’s apple day! What with Bonfire night cancelled and apple bobbing practically illegal, we are left with home comforts. So let’s go big this year. If ever we need comfort food as winter approaches surely it’s this year.
I suppose apple pie should be included as comfort food too. The thing is, pastry can be tricky whereas who can’t make crumble? It’s the fail-safe of comfort eating, especially if custard is involved. Of course, there are alternatives to custard; yogurt or oat cream both go well. That’s one of the joys of this dish, it lends itself to dairy lovers and the lacto-avoidant equally.
Even the topping can be made from oats and nuts and oil with no need for butter. It truly is a pudd-for-all.
If you’re lucky enough to grow a few apples, what a blessing it is to turn them into heart warming fare. We have an old Bramley tree in the garden and it has found new vigour over the past few years, having had a prune and good mulch with Lakeland Gold. Our hens enjoy pecking at the windfall apples that bruise whilst I nip in to seize the best of the crop.
So get the peeler out and pan on and let’s celebrate this most British of fruits with bowls full of crumble.
Juliet