Pear and Chocolate Ginger Crumble

​When I said I would post a series of healthier comfort food recipes I figured that wouldn’t be complete without including a crumble recipe. There’s so much great fruit around in the Autumn and a crumble is the perfect way to enjoy it. I make this crumble topping in large batches in my food processor and freeze – that way you have a quick dessert to hand whenever you feel the need.

So why am I including a crumble in a series on healthy comfort food? Firstly, I don’t believe in excluding food. If you are eating a balanced diet with plenty of vegetables and meals which have a mix of carbs, proteins and healthy fats you absolutely can enjoy pudding as part of that. Secondly, I’ve taken out the refined white flour and reduced down the sugar whilst producing something that tastes just as good.
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The recipe uses buckwheat flour.  Buckwheat is a seed rather than a grain and a complete source of protein for vegetarians and vegans.  It is gluten free but do check cross-contaminants if cooking for a coeliac.  You can replace the buckwheat for wholemeal flour and it will work just as well.

This mix can be used to top your favourite fruit mix.  It is enough for one large crumble (serves 8 – 10) or will freeze really well in a large food bag so that you can make a quick crumble for one whenever the mood takes you! As we are talking favourite comfort food I’ve shared my favourite crumble filling – what’s your’s?

​Crumble topping (serves 8 – 10):
6oz (170g) buckwheat flour
4oz (110g) butter or coconut oil
2oz (50g) unrefined caster sugar
3oz (90g) porridge oats
2oz (50g) ground almonds
1 tsp ground ginger
Pear, Chocolate and Ginger filling (per person):
1 ripe pear, diced
1 ball stem ginger, finely chopped
15g dark chocolate, roughly chopped
Heat oven to 180°C

If you have a food processor blitz flour, butter/oil and sugar until you have a mix resembling coarse breadcrumbs.  If you are doing this by hand then rub the butter /oil with the flour until you get the same coarse breadcrumb texture.

In a large mixing bowl (or straight into a food bag if you are planning to freeze some of the mix) tip the flour mix with all of the remaining ingredients and stir/shake to mix well.
Prepare filling. For suggested filling above this just means chopping and mixing in your crumble dish to evenly distribute flavours.

Put your fruit/filling of choice into the base of your oven proof crumble dish then top with the crumble mix.

Bake at 180°C for approx. 25 mins until golden (this will depend on your oven – check after 20 min)