Baked

I picked up some of the last of the summer fruits out there, and threw them together to make a quick and easy crumble. If it weren't for my addiction to orange zest whipped cream it would have, almost, been on the healthy heart side!

Cherry Blackberry & Blueberry Crumble - makes one 8x8 pan or 4 small ramekins

Filling:
3 cups mixed berries (if using cherries, make sure to remove the pits)
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch or arrowroot powder
1/2 cup orange juice
1 teaspoon vanilla
Crumble Topping:
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
3 oz unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup almonds or walnuts, chopped (I used almonds this time)

If you would like to add the whipped cream...
Whip up 250 ml of whipping cream with 1 tablespoon sugar, then stir in the zest of one orange. Yum.

Preheat heat oven to 375f. Apply a light spray of oil in pan or ramekins and set aside.
For the filling, mix together the berries and cherries, sugar, cornstarch, vanilla and orange juice. Try not to smash up berries.

In another bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar and cold butter. I used my hands to mix together until a crumbly mixture forms. Fold in the rolled oats and almonds.
Pour filling into ramekins and top with crumble topping. Bake for about 25 minutes until top is golden colour and filling is bubbling. Allow to cool before eating or, take my word for it, you will burn your tongue ;) Top with orange whipped cream, and enjoy!

What fruit combos do you lean towards? Let me know!

Have a great day. Back soon.
janis

Baked

Ah, the sun is shining. Makes it an even better hump day. How's your week going?

I was craving something not quite cake like, more like pudding, and not too sweet, so I baked some clafoutis. Have you tried it? It's so simple and delicious. Here's the recipe...

Blueberry Almond Clafoutis - makes 2 small or one large

1 half pound of fresh or frozen blueberries (I had some in the freezer)
2 eggs
2 egg whites
1 cup milk
1/3 cup raw sugar (or regular granulated)
1 teaspoon almond extract
pinch of salt
1/2 cup almond meal
1/4 cup cornstarch
2 tablespoons sliced almonds for topping

Preheat oven to 350f/180c. Lightly spray two 5 inch oven proof pans, or one 9 inch pan, with oil, and set aside.

Whisk the eggs and egg whites together in a large bowl, until well mixed. Keep whisking while adding milk, then sugar, almond extract, almond meal, salt and cornstarch. Mix until well combined and smooth.

Layer the bottom of each pan with blueberries, then pour batter over berries. Sprinkle the tops with sliced almonds. Bake for about 45 minutes, or until tops are golden brown. Allow to cool for 15 minutes before eating. Enjoy!

Let me know if you give this one a go - I'd love to know what you think.

Have a lovely day! Back soon.
Janis

Last of the Summer Road Trips

Taking off for a few days with a few friends. It'll be so nice.

Have a great weekend everyone! We'll catch up soon!
janis

Baked

Well, it's the start of the week and so far so good. How's your Monday?

I made some Plum Cobbler over the weekend, and tried using spelt flour (I had run out of all-purpose flour) this time. It turned out great, and I know it's just a wee bit better for you too.

Plum Cobbler - serves 6 to 9

7 cups sliced, pitted plums
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
pinch of cinnamon

Biscuit Topping:
1 cup spelt flour or all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
pinch of salt
1/4 cup cold butter
2 teaspoons orange rind
1 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 cup buttermilk

Preheat oven to 400f/200c. Gently toss plums, sugar, cornstarch and cinnamon, in a large bowl. Pour into an 8x8 inch glass baking dish.

In another bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Cut in the butter using a pastry blender, or 2 knives, until the mixture is crumbly. Mix together buttermilk, orange rind and vanilla then drizzle over flour mixture. Stir with a fork to form a soft, sticky dough. Drop dough, with a spoon, in 9 evenly spaced mounds over fruit.

Bake for about 30-35 minutes, until topping is light golden and cooked through.

This cobbler is super easy and quick to make. Not too bad for you either! ;)

Let me know if you try out this recipe, and if you use spelt or kamut flour instead of all-purpose flour.

Back soon!
janis