Now that was a (berry) looong break...

Wow, it's over two and a half years since I posted any posts, despite having multiple half written drafts.  Time to start posting recipes and dad-joke-style punny headlines again!  Especially since I am on my "sabbatical" in Canada and have time to write.

My favourite Canadian foods so far (apart from maple syrup) are the incredible berries... how will I ever readjust to paying $5.99 for tiny punnets in Australia again, sigh.  Blueberries, raspberries,
blackberries, saskatoon berries, I love you all.

Raspberries from Granville Island Public Market

Saskatoon Berry Pie from Waterton

My best Canadian berry tale to date involves picking blackberries on Denman Island with my friend Eli and then baking them in a blackberry and apple crumble that I will never forget.

View from Denman Island

Blackberry and Apple Crumble

Serves 4.  I leave the peel on the apple, but you may prefer to peel it first. 

Two to three cups of blackberries

One green apple

One and a half cups of rolled oats

Half a cup of almond meal

4 tablespoons of butter or non-dairy margarine (or you could use olive oil)

A few spoonfuls of sugar depending on the tartness of the berries and the sweetness of your tooth

1. Heat the oven to 190 degrees.

2. Core and quarter the apple.  Cut each quarter into half lengthwise and then cut into slices a few millimetres thick. 

3. Mix the berries and the apples together.  If the berries are tart, you might want to add a little sugar.  Pour into a baking dish.

4. Mix the oats and almond meal together.  Sometimes I add a tablespoon of sugar, but if I'm feeling wholesome I leave it out, or I add a teaspoon of vanilla essence to trick my brain into thinking it's sweeter than it is.  Rub the butter in.

5. Add the topping to the fruit mixture and bake for around 35 to 45 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the fruit is bubbling.  Check halfway through and if the topping is browning too fast, turn the oven down to 180 degrees.