The Forbidden Fruit

I can't wait for Summer. Yeah...most people would argue that Spring is the best time of the year but to me...nah...Summer is special. Because Summer is when I get to taste manna from heaven - those delectable, tastiest of fruits aka APPLES!!! (most people do believe that the apple is the forbidden fruit of Adam and Eve....)

I'm not talking about those waxy old stuffs at the fruit shops. I'm talking about those tree-ripened apples of Bilpin, New South Wales, Australia. Granny Smiths, Royal Gala, Red Delicious, Yellow Delicious, Pink Lady, Braeburn, Jonaton....the list goes on and on. I love them all. And I love visiting the orchards. The delicate late blossoms, the many many branches of the trees....even the squishy fruits that fall on the grounds.

Well, this incident happened last Summer (enter theme from I Know What You Did Last Summer). It was about a week after we came back from Bilpin and the apple stock was diminishing at lightning speed. Somehow, I managed to keep some for my still life project. Hey...this cat is artistic, OK?

Anyway, I changed my mind and decided to practise my photography skills using the apples as the objects of desire. Who knows...I may get to be a pawpawrazzi someday... Oh...but I digress. So, tell me, does the apple look more delectable this way:

....or this way?


Suddenly, "Angelina, stop playing with your food!"

"No, Mama. I'm not playing with my food. I just want to see if I can make these Granny Smiths look more alluring with proper photography technique," I thought I sounded so defensive....

"I'll enrol you at the Uni of Sydney summer course in digital photography if you want to improve your skills, OK? Now, help me turn those apples into something more delicious," Mama continued.

"What could be more delicious than eating an apple in the raw, Mama? Hmmm....I know. You're making apple pies."

"Nope. No apple pies. I don't feel like making pastry today. It will be something equally delicious but less fattening. More importantly, less work," she explained.

"What could it be? You know I love those apple pies we ate in Bilpin. I'll take out the food processor."

"Have you heard of Apple Crumble, Angelina? That's what we're making today. Now, write down the recipe and then take out the ingredients from the pantry and fridge."

"Sounds delicious too, Mama. Let's get started."

Woohoo! So, here's the list of ingredients.

For the bottom layer:

4 medium apples (Granny Smiths), peeled, cored n diced

2 tbsp water

2 tbsp brown sugar

Combine all in pot, heat until apples are soft.

For the top layer:

1/2 cup flour or almond meal (Mama is gluten intolerance, hence the option of almond meal)

3 tbsp brown sugar

1/2 cup oats or chopped nuts (we used walnuts - in abundance in Bilpin around same time as apples)

60g butter or margarine

Mix all ingredients by hand until they crumble like this.

Then, put the bottom mixture in a baking dish. Use the back of a spoon to press the mixture so that you get a firm bottom like the pix below.

Then, spread top mixture evenly. Also use back of a spoon to press the mixture so you get a firm top.

Next, bake 30mins at 170oC or until top is browned all over.


Voila! Now you can scoop the Apple Crumble into small bowls and serve with ice cream. May I recommend Bulla vanilla ice cream? yummm.....

I do agree that this is way easier (and faster) than making apple pies. purrr....meow!


Masterchef Angelina signs off!