Apple and Bramble Crumble

An easy, seasonal treat that uses up all those brambles ranging around the plots at this time of year. The maple syrup brings one plot holder's connections with Canada to the table.

​Ingredients:

Filling:
3-4 medium cooking apples 
About two handfuls of brambles
4 tablespoons maple syrup or sugar
Crumble:
175g flour
100g cold butter
100g caster sugar
30g oatmeal 
2 tablespoons demerara sugar (optional)

Preparation:

Set oven to 180/Gas 4. Look out a small, deep pie dish or tin. 4 servings.
Apple and bramble crumble made with Warriston produce and some Canadian maple syrup 
Method: ​

  1. Rub the flour and butter together into breadcrumb consistency, with cool, dry hands. Stir in the caster sugar and oatmeal. Set aside.
  2. Core and peel the apples—cut them at the last minute as they will go brown (you can squeeze some lemon juice over them if you want to stop this happening). Wash the brambles and put them at the bottom of the dish. Place chunky slices of apple over the brambles and press down so that the crumble doesn't fall through too much. Pour over the maple syrup (or sugar) to taste (i.e. add more or less depending on your apple variety and your preferred sweetness).
  3. Add 2 tablespoons water to the fruit.
  4. Place the crumble on top of the fruit and pat down fairly firmly. You can make the crumble into a dome shape if you have a small dish and lots of crumble.
  5. Sprinkle the demerara sugar over the crumble for a crunchy topping.
  6. Place your dish on a baking tray to catch juicy spills, and bake for 30 minutes or until the fruit is bubbling and the crumble gently browned. Cool a little before serving. AB