Something Sweet

Do you ever feel like something sweet but with substance? Even if on a healthy diet, everyone needs a little comfort treat now and then. So let's do something healthyish and filling for pudding tonight?

Using plums which are in season...at least we're getting some fruit. (You can use whatever fruit you feel like though - I threw in some blueberries too! The end result was very tart...so might try apple or pear next time instead). This pud is cooked under the grill and you can serve it straight out of the frying pan you are going to make it in...preferably with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream if you are feeling extra wicked.

Plum Pan Pud

Serves 4-6

6-10 Ripe plums (depending on size)
2 Tbsp castor sugar
150ml Freshly squeezed orange juice (maybe apple juice to counter the tartness? Will try this next time)
100g Self raising flour
60g Brown sugar
60g Oats
60g Butter cubed & chilled

1. Put the orange juice and castor sugar in a small frying pan, bring to the boil, reduce heat. Add the plums cut-side down and cook for about 5 mins. Turn plums over and cook for another 3 mins until they are soft but still retaining their shape and the liquid is almost all evaporated. Remove the pan and set aside

2. Preheat the grill. Mix the flour, oats and brown sugar. Rub the cubed butter into the flour mix to resemble breadcrumbs. Sprinkle it over the plums and slide pan under the hot grill and cook for 3-4 minutes until the crumble is golden. I switched to convection oven for another 5 mins as I like mine well-cooked.

Don't forget the vanilla ice-cream. Or as I used, frozen yoghurt which has half the calories. Yummy yum.