Comforting Crumble

Comforting Crumble

This gluten free, dairy free crumble was made up of food that needed to be eaten up.  The apples that were a bit soft, the fruit with a blemish and the granola that was no longer ‘nice’ to the children.  There are no specific measurements on these as it’s a dish where left over or near its sell by date ingredients can be used up.  I shall post another recipe soon with exact measurements.

To me this is comfort food.  It always reminds me of big family dinners, fruit picked from the trees or brambles and cooler English days. 

Ingredients:

All the fruit in the fruit basket / drawer of the fridge that looks like it’s past it’s best and which the members of your family don’t choose.  Apples that feel a bit soft, oranges that perhaps have a blemish (fussy children), berries (which have been purchased and deemed too sour by the children and so left).

Water

Gluten, dairy free granola

Added nuts, pumpkin seeds (by choice)

Raisins, dried apricots (by choice)

Spices (by choice)

Method:

Cut up all the fruit into bite sized chunks.

Place water in a sauce pan so that it covers the base of the pan.  Add the fruit and place lid on.

Place on a low heat and simmer until fruit soft and mixture thickens.  Remember to stir regularly and add water as required so that it doesn’t stick. 

Taste and add sugar or a honey as required (I tend not to as the granola topping is often sweet).

Place into an oven proof dish.  The fruit can be cooked in advance and kept in the fridge until you want to make up the crumble. 

In a separate bowl add granola, or gluten free oats, nuts and dried fruit (as you choose).

Add spices such as pumpkin spice, mixed spice, cinnamon as your taste wishes).

Mix these dry ingredients and place over the top of the fruit.  I like to place the topping so it’s at least 1 cm thick all over.

Finally cook in an oven for approximately 20 minutes (until brown) at 180°C / 160° Fan / 350°F / Gas Mark 4.

I personally cook this dish at the same time I am cooking the main meal.   

This can be eaten immediately or kept in the fridge and reheated as required.

Additional Notes:

Delicious with vanilla dairy free ice cream, or warm dairy free custard. 

Any fruit can be used in this dish. 

Add spices such as pumpkin spice for a slightly different taste!

This recipe doesn’t have to be gluten-free or dairy-free. Simply add your usual granola for the toppings and serve with custard or ice cream.

Equipment Used:

Ovenproof dish.

Freezing Notes:

Place into portions and freeze in labelled and dated containers for 4 months.

Use frozen apple or other fruits for the crumble. Defrost the fruit and then follow the recipe before baking.

Recipe credit: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Family.