1. Mama Lenga's Apple Crumble

A first of many traditions with my not so tiny human Aaliyah. This passed Christmas season, I gifted my daughter with her very first recipe journal. To get us started off with tradition, I decided on recreating one of my favourite  childhood deserts with her. Granted I was twice her age, she's 5 now but such a beautiful experience for me to experience this with her!

Ok so I know you're giddy about the specifics so here goes! Hope you love it and let us know in comments when you make or share it with family or someone who would love to try it.

INGREDIENTS

FILLING

• 5 Large crispy pink apples, peeled
• 16 Tablespoon loose brown sugar
• 1 Juice of Lemon
• 1 Tablespoon corn starch, dissolved in 50mls water
• 500mls Water to fill saucepan

CRUST

• 500mls All purpose flour
• 250g Chilled butter, cubed
• 250g Castor sugar (adjust to fit pallet)
• 2 tbsp Ground nutmeg, for a nutty flavour
• 1 tsp Baking powder 
• 1 tsp Salt to taste

METHOD

FOR THE FILLING

1. Thinly slice apples into half moons and place in a medium sized saucepan and fill with water.
2. Add sugar to pan and juice of lemon and bring to the boil on medium heat. 
3. In 15mins, add corn starch solution to pan and let cook for another for 25 mins or until apples are cooked through. Stay close to prevent apples from burning.

FOR THE CRUST

1. Preheat your oven to 180ºC (356F)
2. Sift dry ingredients in a bowl and add chilled cubed butter. 
3. With your fingertips, gently mix the butter and dry ingredients between your fingers, form crumbly texture. Be sure not to over mix as the butter will melt and crumbles separate Place in the fridge for 30mins to allow the crumble to set. 
4. Lightly grease a medium sized oven proof pan and fill it with the chilled crumble about a 1/4 of an inch. Pop the pan into the oven and bake till golden brown at the top. Watch closely to prevent burning.
5. When the crust is browned, its time to add your first layer of cooked apples followed by the another layer of the crumble. 
6. Pop the pan back in the over and bake 15mins or until the top has browned. Repeat the above steps until all the filling and crumble is finished.
7. Remove from the oven and set on a wrack to cool. 
8. Serve with your favourite ice cream and enjoy. We love ours especially with @somethingswirly's 'Dreamy Vanilla' drizzled with fresh caramel sauce!