Tuesday 13 September 2016

The Last of the Apples

Hello Friends!

Just the other day, I mentioned to someone how more like Winter our weather is right now. Much of the rest of the country is experiencing the hottest September on record, with a high of just over 34 degrees Centigrade {that's about 100 degrees F} recorded this very afternoon in Kent, while here in the west the winds are 40 mph and it rains buckets full. As the weatherman said at midday 'The South of England roasts and, typically, the west is cold and wet' which just about sums it up.  I'm glad he said 'typically' ~~~

As I type, there is a lamb casserole in the Crock Pot. Many of you know I am vegetarian, and this is for my Mum. I admit, it isn't complicated and that is just as well because I can't taste it to check for seasoning so I really have to wing it when I cook Mum's ready meals for the freezer.  I am such a chicken {not a pun} and buy trimmed and diced meat from the supermarket so that I don't have to handle it. I just open the box and put it in, along with stock and vegetables. It has been so long since I ate, or cooked, meat that I can't remember much about it now. This week, after it's quarterly defrosting and clearing out, the freezer is being well restocked with hearty, warming and nutritious casseroles {both meat and vegetarian}, as well as lots of Apple Sauce, fresh picked wild blackberries, and more. I love this time of year, preparing comfort food and puddings for the Winter freezer more than any other.

I was speaking to my neighbour over our shared fence this afternoon and she confirmed my suspicions that the blackberry pick just isn't as good as usual this year.  Summer was simply too cold and dry, and this is probably to blame. I'm still picking what I can daily and freezing them and will decide what to make once the season is over. However, if you have plenty and would like to get a really delicious recipe for a scrumptious Blackberry Roll then pop over to the blog of my good friend Martha Ellen's The Joy of Home with Martha Ellen where you will find the recipe ~~~



I have put off decorating, but as September is now midway through and the Autumn Equinox is in a few days, I think it is time to bring out the boxes of Autumn decorations.  I am honouring the imminent arrival of Autumn by making a recipe from my Susan Branch "Autumn" book called Cranberry Apple Crisp.  I am not sure if I can, due to copyright reasons, share the recipe, suffice to say {for my British readers} it is very similar to a Fruit Crumble, but if you own a copy of "Autumn From the Heart of the Home" by Susan Branch, you can find the recipe on page 95.

Here it is ~~~

Getting the ingredients together with my green glazed Mason Cash bowl 
I used frozen cranberries, thawed, and a few blackberries that were to hand ~~~

Ready to work in the butter with my pastry blender before finishing by hand ~~~

Ready to bake on a tray in case it leaks! I used wholewheat flour so it looks quite brown before baking

The finished dish 
Nicely layered with plenty of topping and fruits

This will be pudding tonight served with a warm custard sauce ~~~ delicious!

Not much is happening in the garden, but I'm hoping the blackberries will continue to produce some good fruits for the next few weeks ~~~ there are plenty of buds and blooms  ~~~





but already the leaves are starting to turn colour ~~~


Until next time
~~~Deborah 


23 comments:

  1. It's always fun seeing what you are up to, dear Deb. I've made Susan Branch's recipe and it's a winner! Your ingredients along with the finished Crisp looks delicious. Thank you for mentioning my recipe of Blackberry Roll! It's long gone now...
    I often think I could go vegetarian and would benefit from such a diet. The rest of my family would protest I'm sure. It's nice you can make multiple meals for your Mum and have it at the ready.
    Happy Autumn days my friend! xoxo ♥

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    1. Thank you Martha Ellen ~ do you know, this is the first time I've made Susan's recipe? Oh! it is so scrumptious, I know I'll be making it again and again over the Winter months.
      The secret to good vegetarian cooking is when the meat eaters don't even realise they aren't eating meat! Give it a try, it's delicious.
      Happy Autumn to you too xoxo

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  2. That looks so good, I have just ordered Sweets to The Sweet by Susan Branch, I am going to buy them all eventually. I might have another blackberry picking session next week x

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    1. Thank you. Yes, it was Very Good! We are lucky to be able to get a lot of her books quite inexpensively over here. I pick my berries daily if necessary as they are picked and in the freezer in minutes and it encourages more to ripen. Some days I only get a cupful, but they all add up.
      Do you know Friends of Susan Branch page on FB?

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    2. Hi No I don't really use facebook only for comping.

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    3. Fair enough. You do really well with your comping too so it's a good idea.

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  3. Hi Deborah! Here is Susan's recipe on-line: http://www.susanbranch.com/cranberry-apple-crisp-2/ for your readers. I made it last year and agree, it is very good.

    I've never seen blackberry flowers before. Your photos have captured how beautiful they are!

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    1. Thank you Cathy. You know, I searched her blog but couldn't find it! What am I like?
      Blackberry flowers are very pretty, not unlike miniature versions of one of my rambler roses. I love the pink, but the white are sweet and innocent looking.

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    2. The easiest way to search her blog is to enter her name in the Google search box along with what you're searching for. I usually find what I'm looking for that way.

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  4. The recipe is on Pinterest, just FYI. Looks delicious and easy!

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    1. Thank you, I wasn't going to link in due to possible copyright infringement, but you are correct, it is on there too.

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  5. It was really hot here in Yorkshire yesterday so much so that we only managed a quick visit to the pkot to pick a few things, including apples and blackberries. Then last hight we had a huge thunderstorrn.

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    1. Finally warming up here this afternoon, but so muggy I'd love some of your thunderstorm.

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  6. It's always a treat for me to visit you on here. Your photos are amazing and beautiful. Oh, how I would love to be there to join you with that crisp and to have warm custard sauce on top...heavenly.

    We are finally below the 90's. It has been such a long, hot and dry Summer. But the last few mornings have been deliciously cool. Ahhhhh....

    Darlene

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  7. OH MY !! What SCRUMPTIOUS Photos!!!
    You always have the most ~lovely~LOVELY~ photos!!!!!
    Sending love and warmth xx oo
    Linnie

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  8. I am in a very autumnal mood these days. It is very much autumn outside, so I am lucky. Great pictures. And I love the autumnal dessert.

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  9. Would you consider sharing any of your own vegetarian casserole recipes? I'm sure they are delicious - and I'm going to try these berries! As always, truly wonderful photos. :-) jen

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  10. liked your yummy pics and flavored sharing ,
    best wishes

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  11. I love the fruits at this time of year.

    I also love the photo's you've shared here ... an Autumnal bounty, thank you.

    All the best Jan

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  12. Hi Deborah. I love your photos and I'm waiting for you to email me your address so I can send the September Apron out to you. Love, Susan

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    1. Ah, something has gone wrong. I used your contact form so thought you had it. I will try again.
      Thank you for your kind comments.

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  13. Your apple crumble looks delish! I just made 2 pies from my apples but noticed there are about half dozen left on the tree. I'll get the apple plucker, pull them down and make your crumble. Then, I'll make a warm custard sauce...never have but it sounds like icing on the cake...thanks!

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    1. Thank you, it was. I hope you enjoy your dessert with the custard sauce. It is my favourite accompaniment to many a pudding that has pastry or sponge in it too.

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