Rhubarb Crumble

     

I don't know whether it has been the "summer" or the lack of free time on my hands but I haven't really done a lot of baking lately. I have done the odd cake here and there but not my usual baking obsession. I have ventured into making my own condiments and dressings with great satisfaction. I was surprised by the ease of making from scratch, I honestly don't think I could go back to store bought dressings. I will admit my first two attempts at mayonnaise were a DISASTER! I just could not get it right, I still don't know where I went wrong but hey eventually I got there and that's all that matters :)

As promised rhubarb crumble! I adore rhubarb, always have always will! So when my Uncle Joe stopped by with a big bag from his garden, I could not wait to get baking! Yaaay for Uncle Joe, What a gem :)

Recipe for Rhubarb Crumble

Ingredients

 

• 12 stalks of fresh rhubarb, washed, cut into 5cm/ 2" pieces
• 4 tbsp water
• 8 tbsp fine sugar
• 110g  butter, cut into small cubes
• 110g fine sugar
• 180g plain flour

( I actually adjusted mine by eye,so if you feel you need less or more rhubarb or sugar, please do so!)

Instuctions

1. Heat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4.
2. Place the rhubarb, water and sugar into a 4cm/1½in deep ovenproof dish.
3. In a baking bowl rub the butter, sugar and flour together until it resembles fine sand, then sprinkle over the rhubarb.
4. Bake in the oven until light brown on the surface, approx 45 mins - 1 hour.

Serve or eat straight away with a spoon which what seems to happen in my house!

The caramelised edges are always my favourite. How fantastic with a big dollop of ice-cream!

Enjoy!

Shirley x

My First Wedding Cake.

My very first wedding cake!

I have come to the realisation that summer and blogging do not work out so well for me, I'd love to say it is because I am out enjoying the sun all the time but unfortunately in Ireland, that's not the case. Never the less the weeks seem to be flying by and I always seem to have something on or going somewhere...busy bee!

I have also become a bit of an insomniac.....yawn! I sleep for about 3hrs and then I'm up for about 4hrs and just when I start to get sleepy, its time to get up. It's a good thing G is a sound sleeper because I'm pretty sure I would be single right now :) I truly miss blogging and used to spend these "awake hours" reading my favourite blogs but it would send my brain into overdrive with ideas and wanting to be uber-productive, so it had to stop :( I now watch "The Big Bang Theory" re-runs, easy on the brain!

blurrrrrr..................thanks iphone :)

Anywho on a baking note as the post title suggests, I made my very first wedding cake...YAY! I thought I was going to be more nervous than I was, to be making someones wedding cake, because it has to be perfect but I was happy with the results and the bride was even happier and that's all that matters really :)

On the Birthday Season,I have to wish a Happy birthday to Aoife, Barry, Carmel and Harry! And to myself....28...sooo old...argh! Also on a side note, Our family dog Tyler died 2wks back. Any of you animal lovers out there will know how heartbreaking that is! My sister Jacqueline did a lovely post to her on her blog ( I don't know where she got the strength to write it, I could barely read it ) so you can check it out here if you wish. Love you Ty xxx

On a brighter topic my Uncle Joe hit us up with some fresh rhubarb straight from his garden which was automatically made into crumble and tart within hours. I'll be posting soon.........I promise lol!