Nothing Like Country Pub Grub

Christmas is a busy season, with the festive 'holiday' seeming more like a carefully planned military operation than a time of relaxation. But now as everyone returns to work and prepares for the easter eggs to hit the shelves in the local shops, I must get writing the many blog posts I have planned! 

For those who read on a regular basis, you'll know as a country gal I do enjoy a hearty meal so my family and I relish a good country pub and our local fits the bill pretty well, with wooden beams, a roaring fire, and tartan print as far as the eye can see.

The food is simple but tasty with a brilliant Roast on the menu every Sunday and we all love a good Yorkshire pud right? Eat well but in moderation. The friendly staff make it a lovely experience and the secluded little hide aways make it perfect for large parties or intimate, hand holding under the table type meetings! Don't worry though, if you do end up eating a little too much and rolling back to your car as I did, you'll soon burn it off the next day out in the country field when your wading through mud up to your eye balls! 

Roll on the promises of spring, when I can return from a walk without leaving a boot in the mud never to be found again (this has happened on several occasions...)

Anyway, if your ever around my area, I urge you to try The Talbot, walk into the warm and soak up the country atmosphere served fresh throughout the year!

Bye for now, I think I may just have seen the top of the red boot I lost two weeks ago... speak soon with 

Country Kitchen Classics

Let's make it clear from the onset, I love good food, tea in particular... my stomach's rumbling at the thought! I think it runs in the family, my Grandpa used to cook in the Cheshire Regiment so he used to feeding the masses with good healthy food, and living on a farm I wasn't going to let the appreciation of a good meal disappear! So when your sat on a cold, wintery evening after doing everything you need to do for the day, what's better than a country classic Apple Crumble with a steaming custard! 

Now being a farmer ... I tend not to go with weights for ingredients but simply the look and taste of things, but I've managed to find our old family recipe for this quintessential pudding. Enjoy! 

Apple Crumble

FOR THE FILLING 

450g Bramley Apples

1/2 Cup of Water 

2 tbsp Brown Sugar 

1/2 tsp Cinnamon (optional but adds a real seasonal flavour)

 FOR THE CRUMBLE 

• 300g Plain Flour
• 175g Brown Sugar
• 200g Unsalted Butter

METHOD

Now for me, I prefer softer apples and for that I stew my filling. I think this recipe is perfect for children as the soft apples are so easy to eat and have a lovely texture compared to the crunchy crumble top. Aprons at the ready? This could get messy! 

1) Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4.

2)Place the flour and sugar in a large bowl and mix well with your finger tips. Taking a few cubes of butter at a time rub into the flour mixture(it helps if you have colder hands as the butter will stay cool and not melt). Keep rubbing until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. 

3) Core, peel and dice your apples into about 1cm cubes, don't worry if this is done roughly it just may take your apples longer to stew. 

4) Place your apples and water into a saucepan and warm over a gentle heat, once the apples have started to soften, add the sugar and cinnamon stirring often. 

5) Once your apples are soft and stewed to your taste (some people will like a softer filing than others) place the filling in an oven proof dish. 

6) Taking care not to burn yourself on the hot apple mixture, sprinkle over the crumble topping covering all the filling. Be generous with this, in my opinion the golden crumble is the best part!

7) Bake in the over for 30 - 35 minutes or until the crumble is a golden colour and the apple mixture bubbling. 

Custard

FOR THE CUSTARD

1 Pint Milk

• 2floz Single Cream
• 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
• 4 Egg Yolks
• 30g Caster Sugar
• 2 tsp Cornflour

METHOD

1) In a sauce pan, bring the milk and cream to a simmer over a low heat.

2) In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks, sugar and cornflour until blended.

3)Pour the hot milk and cream over the sugar mixture and whisk continuously.

4) Place the mixture back on the heat, add your vanilla extract and gently stir until thickened. 

Slather this over your beautiful apple crumble, sit back and relax with this winter classic . I hope this proves useful, enjoy and happy baking!

Keep checking out my blog for more country side memes, updated regularly. 

But farewell for now my countryside lovers, with