Cook-tastic mate

I optimistically over-stocked on fruit this week and rather just eat the stuff (that's boring - right?) I'm currently making apple & blueberry crunch AND a banana & blueberry cake. I still think that cake mixture, off the spoon is one of the best pleasures in life. If you fancy giving either a go, here's the recipes.

Apple Crunch
I got this recipe from my friend Jodi in San Diego. It ROCKS! This recipe is really flexible. You can play around with the quantities of syrup and sugar and add other ingedients too if you like. Hence my apple & blueberry crunch. You can also double up the quantities of the crunchy topping if you like lots of it.

For the apple filling
4 large cooking apples or 8 medium eating apples (Cooking apples work best, as you get that tart edge to counteract the sugar.)
1/2 cup of maple syrup, golden syrup or honey (I usually do a mixture of all three.)
1/2 pack of blueberries (optional)

For the crunchy topping
1/4 - 1/2 tsp nutmeg (to taste)
1/4 - 1/2 tsp cinnamon (to taste)
1/2 cup plain flour
3/4 cup brown sugar (or less if preferred)
1/4 cup cold butter

Peel the apples and cut into smallish chunks. Put them in an ovenproof dish, (along with the blueberries if you're using them) and drizzle with the syrup.
Mix the dry ingredients together in a bowl, then add the cold butter and cut it with a knife until it reaches a crumbly texture. Spread over the apples.
Bake uncovered at 190c (375f) for 30 - 40 minutes.
















Banana cake
I found this on the internet when I was looking for a recipe that didn't need eggs. I rarely have eggs in the house. I've adapted it a little here and there. This is my version.

5 or 6 ripe bananas
1/2 pack of blueberries
1 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp whisky
1 tbsp maple syrup
2 cups plain flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda

Mash the bananas and sugar together.
Add the vanilla, whisky and maple syrup and stir in.
Sift the flour, baking powder and baking soda together.
Mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients.
Add the blueberries and stir in.
Line a loaf tin with baking paper (or grease well) and pour the mixture in and level off.
Bake for 1 hour at 175c (350f).