James Martin Crumble Recipes

RHUBARB CRUMBLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 180C/160C Fan/Gas 4.
• Cut the rhubarb into 7½cm/3in long sticks and place on an oven tray. Sprinkle with 4 tablespoons of water and the caster sugar. Roast for 10 minutes. Sprinkle over the ginger and mix well.
• Fill an ovenproof dish about 4cm/1½in deep with the rhubarb.
• Rub the butter into the flour then mix in the demerara sugar to make the crumble topping. Sprinkle over the rhubarb and bake for 35-45 minutes, or until the crumble topping is crisp and golden-brown and the rhubarb filling has softened and is bubbling.
• Allow to cool slightly before serving with double cream.

THE BEST APPLE CRUMBLE

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 190C/170 fan/gas 5.
• Toss 575g peeled, cored and sliced Bramley apples with 2 tbsp golden caster sugar and put in a 23cm round baking dish at least 5cm deep, or a 20cm square dish. Flatten down with your hand to prevent too much crumble falling through.
• Put 175g plain flour and 110g golden caster sugar in a bowl with a good pinch of salt.
• Slice in 110g cold butter and rub it in with your fingertips until the mixture looks like moist breadcrumbs. Shake the bowl and any big bits will come to the surface - rub them in. Alternatively, pulse in a processor until sandy (don't over-process).
• Pour the crumb mix over the apples to form a pile in the centre, then use a fork to even out.
• Gently press the surface with the back of the fork so the crumble holds together and goes crisp, then lightly drag the fork over the top for a decorative finish.
• Sprinkle 1 tbsp rolled oats and 1 tbsp demerara sugar over evenly, if you wish.
• Set on a baking tray and put in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, until the top is golden and the apples feel very soft when you insert a small, sharp knife. Leave to cool for 10 minutes before serving.