Plum and Hazlenut Crumble

“There is something about a crumble that everyone adores! This combination uses ripe, juicy plums and has the addition of roasted hazelnuts to the crumble topping. Also works wonderfully with damsons, if you can find them.”

Ingredients
Serves 4

•    480g (1 lb) plums, stoned
•    2 tbsp damson gin
•    2 tbsp sugar

Crumble Topping:

•    225g (8 oz) plain flour
•    175g (6 oz) butter
•    175g (6 oz) Demerara sugar
•    50g (1¾ oz) chopped roasted hazelnuts


Method

Place the plums into an ovenproof dish; sprinkle with the damson gin and the sugar. To make the crumble topping, put the flour into a basin and rub in the butter, then stir in the sugar and hazelnuts. Alternatively put the flour, very cold butter and sugar into a processor and blitz, then stir in the hazelnuts. Sprinkle the mixture on top of the fruit.

2 oven AGA: Place the dish on the grid shelf on the floor of the Roasting Oven and cook for 15-20 minutes until just golden, then transfer to the Simmering Oven for about 35-40 minutes until the fruit is cooked.

3 and 4 oven AGA: Place the dish on the grid shelf on the floor of the Baking Oven and cook for about 35-40 minutes until the crumble is golden and the fruit is cooked.

Serve warm with custard or cream.

Conventional cooking: Cook at 180°C, (350ºF) fan oven 160°C, Gas Mark 4 for 35-40 minutes until the crumble is golden and the fruit is cooked.

 

 

The Red Devil Rides Again

Michelin starred protege and fearsome 'enfant' terrible of the London restaurant scene, Tom Aikens was flying high then two years ago it all came crashing around his ears.  Restaurants went bust and unpaid suppliers went on the war path, but this is one Iron Chef with a nerve of steel.  Now he's back on winning form with new restaurants and a budding TV career.  Caroline Sargent met him at his Chelsea diner, Tom's Kitchen.

> MORE


Fame and Farming

Sunday evening, BBC1 and millions of people all over the UK are tuned into Countryfile.  Sally-ann Bloomer goes along to meet one of the stars of the show, Adam Henson, who farms 1,600 acres in the Cotswolds.

> MORE

The Fragrant Fields of Kent

Diversification into lavender crops has resulted not only in a change in the Kentish landscape but the farming fortunes of the Mitchell family.  Using their own essential oils, they have developed a sophisticated range of bath and body products that is quite unlike the stuff you'll find in grandma's dresser.  Caroline Sargent meets an enterprising farmer with a good nose for business.

> MORE