APPLE CRUMBLE BIRCHER WITH A BLACKBERRY COULIS
I was so excited to see the first ripe blackberries of the season, out on my walk this weekend. Remember to always bring Tupperware on your walks, you never know when you might hit the blackberry jackpot! Although I feel sad when summer begins to draw in, I don’t think there is anything more comforting than the flavours of an apple and blackberry crumble. As were not quite there yet (big woolly jumpers, blankets and slippers) why don’t you opt for my apple crumble bircher and blackberry coulis breakfast pot as a transition dish between summer and autumn.
I love how simple this recipe is and how it makes the most of seasonal ingredients. I encourage you not to buy your blackberries but enjoy scouting them out instead (check out my top tips for foraging blackberries below). Plus, as summer comes to an end keep an eye out for boxes of apples on neighbours driveways as they try to give away surplus supplies from their gardens. Not only do these pots taste delicious, but they are also a great example of how we can eat more sustainably (eating with the seasons, sourcing local produce, and reducing food miles).
Servings: 4 (either share amongst the family or make a batch to get you set-up for the week right).
Time to create: 15 minutes (plus overnight in the fridge)
Ingredients
Blackberry Coulis:
500g blackberries
2 tbsp maple syrup
Squeeze 1/2 lemon
Apple Bircher
600ml almond milk
190g oats
60g desiccated coconut
2 apples grated
4 tbsp plain yogurt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp vanilla esence
Toppings:
1/2 apple chopped into matchsticks (add a squeeze of lemon juice over the top to prevent browning)
Handful of blackberries
Crushed pecans
Dusting of ground cinnamon
Method
Blackberry Coulis
Pop the ingredients in a pan and cook over a low heat for 10 minutes.
Allow to cool slightly before pouring mixture through a fine sieve. Using the back of a spoon to break the blackberries down and squeeze out the juice.
Discard the seeds and put the coulis to one side.
Bircher
Mix together the ingredients and place in an airtight jar in the fridge overnight.
In the morning top with the coulis and your choice of toppings.
Top tips for foraging blackberries:
Pick blackberries that are glossy and black and come away from the plant easily
Choose plump fruits and handle gently to avoid bruising
Avoid picking blackberries to close to the ground (where dogs and under animals may have been), those grown on roadsides, and those near fields that may have been sprayed with chemicals
Gently wash to remove any bugs or loose debris
They tend in the fridge for up to 3 days fresh, but also freeze well.
