FIONA MCGARRY

There are several good reasons to eat plums: they contain a lot of vitamins and minerals; they are particularly high in antioxidants and hence reduce inflammation; also, like prunes, they relieve constipation. 

This year, we’ve had a glut of plums and have overdosed on plum sauces, compotes, chutney and jam. This recipe is a simple but slightly different way to use up the last plums of the season if you like them in cakes and crumbles.

You will need:

  • 7 chopped plums
  • 2 tbsp caster sugar
  • 2 tbsp cornflour
  • 1 tsp cardamom and/or ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground ginger (optional)
  • pinch salt
  • Crust and Crumble
  • 2 cups plain flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup soft butter or margarine
  • 1 cup caster sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

Method:

  1. Sprinkle the sugar, cornflour, spices and salt over the chopped plums. Set aside while you make the crust and crumble.
  2. Preheat the oven to 180°C. Line a 9-inch square cake tin with parchment paper. Cut enough parchment so the ends overhang on two sides so you can lift the bars out after they’ve cooled for easy cutting.
  3. Sieve the flour and mix it with the baking powder and salt; set aside. Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy in a food mixer, about 3-4 minutes; add the vanilla. Then, with the mixer on low, slowly add the flour and mix until just combined.
  4. Reserve about 1/5 of the dough and press the remaining dough firmly into the prepared cake tin. Spread the plum mixture evenly over the dough. Crumble the reserved dough over the plums (add a little extra flour if necessary).
  5. Bake for 50 minutes or until the fruit is bubbling and the top is golden. Cool completely on a wire rack. When it’s cool, lift the crumble out of the tin and place on a chopping board. Slice into 16 bars.


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https://www.hastingsindependentpress.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Food-Plum-crumble-bar-1024x729.jpghttps://www.hastingsindependentpress.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Food-Plum-crumble-bar-150x150.jpgHIPFood & DrinkRecipes Fiona McGarry,Plum Crumble BarsFIONA MCGARRY There are several good reasons to eat plums: they contain a lot of vitamins and minerals; they are particularly high in antioxidants and hence reduce inflammation; also, like prunes, they relieve constipation.  This year, we’ve had a glut of plums and have overdosed on plum sauces, compotes, chutney and...The Hastings & St Leonards non-profit community newspaper