Kitten/Lang

This image was just so adorable, I had to share it. A fusion of my two favourite things, cats and Helmut Lang. Can't you just imagine how soft both of them would be?!

Apple, Pear and Blackberry Crumble

Happy Father's Day! As my Dad isn't one for buying or receiving gifts on what he calls "commercial holidays", I always turn to his favourite dessert dish for a Father's Day treat. Come forward, the Apple, Pear and Blackberry Crumble! It's easy-peasy to make, especially when you make it often and get it down to a fine art! All you need is flour, demerara sugar, butter, porridge oats and a selection of your Dad's favourite fruit. A few tasty combinations are Apple & Blackberry, Apple & Plum, Rhubarb, Apple & Sultanas. But I always go for this one. I've never done a recipe post before so I'm testing the water, I love cooking and baking so I'm going to experiment! 

We have an AGA at home meaning the cooking times may be a bit different from a normal oven, but the recipe will still be the same. First, measure 10oz of flour into a large mixing bowl and add in 5oz of butter. Using your fingertips in little pinchy movements, rub the flour into the butter until it looks like breadcrumbs.

Then, using a wooden spoon stir in 2.5oz of demerara sugar.

Get chopping! I usually use two large cooking apples and two conference pears along with a small punnet of blackberries to fill a dish. Peel the apples and pears and wash the blackberries.

Chop, chop, chop...

Arrange your chopped fruit into a large, flat oven dish. I always put a few spoonfuls of water on top of the fruit once it's in the dish to stop it drying out once it's in the oven. Also, a few teaspoons of sugar will stop the apples from tasting too tart!

Then, evenly pour the crumble mixture on top.

I always sprinkle a handful of plain porridge oars on top of the crumble too. To cook the crumble in an AGA, hang the dish at the bottom of the top oven for 25 minutes then transfer to the top of the bottom oven for a further 25 minutes. Oven users, 40 minutes at 180-200 degrees ought to do it!

You'll know it's cooked when it's a light golden-brown on top! Serve with custard and enjoy!