Friday, September 30, 2011

Sweater Weather

Fall is officially here on Vancouver Island. Some may be crying out in protest, begging the sunny days of summer to return for just a little while longer. But, I am thrilled.

Don't get me wrong. I enjoy summer as much as the next girl.  But even more than sun-bathing and cocktail-sipping, I love the cool mornings, crackling leaves and harvested abundance of autumn.

Besides, fall is sweater weather! Who doesn't relish an excuse to bundle up in a much-loved sweater? This time of year (in Canada anyway) is the perfect balance of cool enough for a sweater, but not cold enough for a coat. And I love it.

But, let's not let the sweater get all the glory. Fall accessories are part of the fun too. Knitted hats! Fingerless gloves! Boots!  Oh my goodness, the boots! All in lovely warm colours like mustard yellow, burnt orange, chocolate brown and deep red.

I ask you, how could one not fall in love with fall?

Here are some selections from the shop and some other favourites to warm up your autumn style:









Sunday, September 25, 2011

Backyard Bounty : Humble Crumble

Living on the West Coast has many perks. Beautiful mountain views and temperate weather are great, but I have to say one of my favourite aspects of living in Victoria is the bountiful harvest of summer and early fall. Our new place is blessed with blackberry bushes and plum trees that produce a seemingly endless supply of deep purple deliciousness.

Last weekend Ryan and I added to our bounty by collecting apples from his cousin's heavy-hung apple trees. We brought home a box-full and every time I walk out onto the porch I get an intoxicating whiff of fall fruit.

So, what to do with all of this freshness? Near the end of summer, I made lemon-blackberry tarts and plum chutney.  But, with last of the plums hanging about and some apples thrown into the mix, what else could I make but crumble?

Ah, the humble crumble. The lazy-man's pie. Crumble is great because it is simple, delicious and even some-what healthy.  

So here's my version of the crispy dish:

Topping
3/4 cp flour (I used whole wheat)
3/4 cp rolled oats
3/4 cp brown sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp allspice
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/2 cp cold butter (Earth Balance vegan butter works great too!)
handful of walnut pieces (optional)







Filling
1/2 lb Plums (about 10-12 small prune plums)
1 cp blackberries (fresh or frozen)
3 or 4 apples
juice and zest of 1/2 a lemon
2 tbsp white sugar
1 tbsp corn starch



Preheat oven to 375 degrees (Fahrenheit).
Combine dry ingredients for topping. Cube cold butter into small pieces and sprinkle over dry ingredients. Using a pastry mixer or two forks, work into dry mix until mostly crumbly. Set aside in the fridge (the butter needs to stay cold!) until the filling is ready.

First step for the filling is to pit the plums. This can be time-consuming and messy, but think of it as a zen exercise.  Cut the plums length-wise all the way around and twist open. Remove the pit. The riper the plum, the easier the pit will come out.

Next, core and slice your apples into thin-ish slices. No need to peel unless this is your preference - but the peel contains most of the nutrients and fiber. Besides, why make more work? This recipe is for the lazy, remember?

Mix pitted plums, apple slices and blackberries and the remainder of your filling ingredients in your baking dish (roughly 9 x 9 should do), ensuring your fruit is evenly coated.

Sprinkle filling with crumble topping.

Bake at 375 for 40-45 minutes or until topping is golden and crisp.

And what would be crumble without an ice cream accompaniment? Like cocoa without the mini marshmallows. I'm not great with dairy, so I had mine with So Delicious Coconut ice cream and it was delightful. But, any way you serve it, this humble crumble is sure to please your autumn fruit-tooth.

Long time no see, little blog.

Well, I'm back. Nice to see you again my little blog. Don't worry, the whole time I was gone I was thinking of you. You may have been lost, but not forgotten.

I've decided we need to make some changes if our relationship is to flourish. I think we need to broaden our horizons and explore a little more in the world. Vintage fashion is all well and good, but I want to share recipes! DIY projects! Restaurant reviews! My everyday adventures as a communications student!

What do you think? Can we make this work?