Strawberry, Apple and Oats Crumble

You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.

Sharon Salzberg

We homemakers, mothers, wives, caregivers, usually forget that we need some me time to unwind, relax and pick ourselves up too. It sounds selfish but believe me its not, especially when you are the person keeping things in order for everyone else. Keeping in mind this, we at
foodies+ decided to run a Valentines for One theme this February.

Thinking of the things that help me recharge and relax – besides good music, movies, painting and an afternoon nap – a warm and self-saucing dessert is the first thing that comes to my mind.

I love good old Apple Crumble but I wait all year for strawberry season to make this spiced Strawberry, Apple and Oats Crumble which is definitely a notch above. I don’t know any other dessert that is so richly flavoured, sweetly spiced and yet this simple to make!

The best thing is that it’s a self-saucing pudding. The spoon digs in through layers of crunchy crumble of toasted oats and coconut, then soft fruit to finally reach the sweet and sour strawberry-apple sauce. If you need to make it more sinful and indulgent, you can serve it with vanilla cream custard or ice-cream.

Instead of spicing it up with just ground cinnamon, try the Chinese five spice mix which adds an amazing twist to this traditional dessert. The aromatic mix of ground spices is made from star anise, fennel seeds, cinnamon, cloves and ginger. You can use the store bought spice mix or easily make your own. Sometimes I even add 1/4 teaspoon garam masala to perk up my desserts, that smells and tastes divine too!

So if you are planning to chill alone, with loved ones or even through a party to friends, this easy peasy, feel-good and healthy dessert is sure to please your soul and warm your heart.

Ingredients :

For Fruit Filling :

• 10 strawberries, sliced
• 2 apples, peeled, cored, cubed
• 4 tablespoons brown sugar or 1 teaspoon organic stevia
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 tablespoond ground oats
• 1 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon five spice mix

For Crumble:

• 1 cup quick cooking oats (barley or wheat), ground
• 1/2 cup dessicated coconut
• 1 teaspoon organic stevia
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons butter or coconut butter
• 1/2 teaspoon chinese five spice/ground cinnamon or garam masala spice blend
• A pinch salt

This Is What Do :

1. Heat oven at 175 degrees C. Lightly butter a small oven proof pan of 3-4 cups capacity.
2. Grind quick cooking oats in electric grinder/dry mill to a coarse texture. Keep 2 tablespoons aside to mix into fruits.
3. Toast remaining ground oats and all the dessicated coconut on a skillet till they smell nice and toasty.
4. Add strawberries, apples, sugar/stevia, 2 tablespoons of ground oats, spice, maple syrup and lemon juice in a big bowl. Toss to mix.
5. Mix all the dry ingredients of crumble in a bowl, cut in cold butter till mixture is all crumbly.
6. Spread this mixture evenly over the fruit.
7. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes or till the crust is golden and juices from fruits are bubbling underneath.
8. Serve warm in its own sauce or with vanilla cream, custard or ice cream.

Serves 2 for dessert, 1 for breakfast