Monday while I was on a walk after dinner, I passed a tree next to the old tennis courts. There were apples hanging off it, and the smell was delicious. I was amazed I'd never noticed it before. The tree was growing right through the tennis court fence, where probably, a discarded core had been tossed.
On they way to Mount Gambier, on the grounds where the old forestry headquarters used to be, the houses are long gone, but the fruit trees remain. Apples, peaches, walnut and lemon trees still bear fruit, and unless you knew they were there, driving past, you'd have no idea. Just a tip, if you're not sure whether an apple is ripe or not, cut it in half, the seeds should be dark.
An older couple from our cul-de-sac brought over a box of apples in the last week from their trees. It was so nice of them. We've lived here for over 10 years, and it's the first time we've really interacted besides a smile and the odd wave.
Morning tea a few days later were a couple of these apple dumplings. Crunchy on the top and soggy on the bottom. Perfect for the cooler weather we are having. The afternoons and mornings have been a bit nippy. I do hope there are a few more warmer days coming though. I was so not ready to say goodbye to Summer. Not yet.
Apple puff dumplings
Dough:
1 cup self raising flour
10 grams butter
1 egg
2 tablespoons milk
3 apples, peeled, cored and quartered
1 tablespoon white sugar
Syrup:
2 cups boiling water
1 cup brown sugar
60 grams butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla essence
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
White sugar
For the dough, rub butter into flour, until there are no more lumps of butter.
Mix egg and milk. Add to flour and combine to a soft dough.
Roll out into a rectangle on a floured surface, and cut into 12 long strips.
Wrap a strip of dough around each apple quarter and place in the fridge.
For the syrup, melt butter and cinnamon in a saucepan. Add sugar, vanilla essence and boiled water. Stir until sugar is melted.
Pour the syrup in a casserole dish big enough to hold the 12 apple dumplings.
Drop the wrapped apple quarters into the syrup and sprinkle over with white sugar. Bake for 20 minutes.
Serve the dumplings with cream or icecream.
How lovely of your neighbours. This recipe would go down a treat today. It's a bit cooler and apple desserts are the perfect buddy when it's a bit cold. x
ReplyDeleteCinnamon syrup. That's all I read. Sounds yum! :D
ReplyDeleteI love that you have free apples laid on! How great is it to discover a public fruit tree! These look sensational Alicia.
ReplyDeleteOoh, yummy!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it lovely when you start making a connection with a neighbour? So nice of them to give you a whole box! These dumplings will be great for autumn! x
ReplyDeleteThese were great. I did cut down the sugar ( because I have too) and used a total of half a cup of raw but was actually asked to make them again. They reheated very well in the bbq after the pizza was done too
ReplyDeleteThat's fabulous Dee. I am glad they were a winner :)
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