Apple Crumble

I'm starting a new tag on this blog-Toddler Treats or kid-friendly recipes. I had this idea when some of my friends asked me to put up recipes of dishes I cook up especially for Riyaan. This recipe, apple crumble, is a quick dessert that is generally made with refined flour and served with fresh cream or icecream. Here, I've modified it only slightly to use wheat flour or multigrain flour instead of the refined flour.

It's funny how becoming a parent can suddenly make you health conscious, reading up on vitamins, food groups, organic foods, multigrain flour, etc.! There have been days when I have survived on macaroni alone...but now after becoming a parent, I find it imperative to feed my little one something from all the food groups daily (even if my own food habits are still somewhat erratic!). While I know that being a good role model is more important, I'm keeping that on hold for the time being, at least until he gets to be 2 years old :-). 

For Riyaan, I make sure that, on a daily basis, he gets his carbohydrates (doesn't matter if it's from rice, wheat, pasta or a mashed potato!), proteins (as of now, only eggs, chicken, lentils/pulses and paneer), vegetables, fruits, dairy (doesn't matter if he doesn't like milk-lots of smoothies, yoghurt, and cheese will also do!), and of course, fats (ghee, butter). Plus lots and lots of water (no harm in starting good habits too early, is there?). This recipe, by the way, is a great way to serve both a fruit and a carbohydrate together. Its super quick to make and delicious to boot!

For two servings

For the base:

One apple, peeled, cored, and diced roughly.

1 tablespoon sugar (I used brown sugar)

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon powder

For the topping:

Half cup wheat/multigrain flour (you could also add a couple of tablespoons of crushed wheat/corn flakes or crushed quick cooking oats)

2 tablespoons sugar ((I used brown)

25 grams butter

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon powder

First, tip in all the ingredients for the topping in a mixing bowl.

Rub the butter into the flour with your fingers, to make it into a bread-crumb like consistency (or if you've made "puttu", then puttu consistency!).

In the baking dish, add the ingredients for the base.

Sprinkle the topping on it.

Preheat your oven to 180 C and bake 20 minutes, or until brown on top, or until a wonderful apple aroma wafts out of your oven.

Serve as it is, or with milk, custard, or cream.

TIPS:

If you are cutting the apple beforehand, sprinkle with lime juice to prevent browning.

I cut the apples directly into the baking dish, only at the last minute (some kids don't like the tangy lime taste on the apple).

I also mashed the apples using a potato masher, just to make it smoother.