FINAL Strawberry Crumble

I am a massive tennis fan… Not massive as in XXL.. but I just LOVE tennis. It would have been a childhood dream to play tennis professionally had I not discovered I had shit weak ankles. Why??? But for all you fellow tennis fans out there the Wimbledon final is upon us! Serena Williams vs Muguruza and Federer vs Djokovic round 2! I must admit I’m rooting for Roger and Serena all the way, but both of their opponents are such epically great players you just know it’s going to be an amazing spectacle to watch.

Of all the grand slams Wimbledon has to be my favourite, the history and pageantry (the all white uniform rules) just give tennis that spectacle stage that the World Cup gives football. But one of my main reasons for making Wimbledon my favourite is the strawberries! STRAWBERRIES! I love strawberry season, at they may be generic and not as interesting as gooseberries or goji berries but they are my favourite berry. I’ve used strawberries in a previous post for the United States of American Pie which I have to say in all my time baking is the first time I’ve made a strawberry fruit pie. Usually I tend to go for apples, cherries or blueberries, but I thought I’d mix it up a bit with the fresh strawberries I bought.

STRAWBERRIES! I love strawberry season

Speaking of which… fresh strawberries and cream whilst watching tennis? Yes please! But I decided to try something slightly different this year. Something perfect for a Wimbledon Final party. A strawberry crumble. I know, I know, crumbles are just such a winter kind of thing, but fresh, sweet, juicy strawberries instantly transform this winter warmer into a summer treat perfect for the sunshine. This makes it the ultimate FINAL strawberry crumble!

This recipe requires a light brown sugar, and whilst I advocate using up any that you already have in your pantry. If you do need to buy some I highly recommend Tate and Lyle’s Mediterranean Inspired Light Soft Brown sugar. It has a great soft buttery taste and just caramelises so well. It’s also fair trade so that extra bit of love has already gone into your bake. But as I aforementioned, please use anything that you already have. As the saying goes waste not, want not. It also calls for porridge oats, though it’s tempting for ease and speed of baking please do not try to substitute the oats for instant oats… That right there is a massive mess waiting to happen in your oven. Also if you’re on a health kick the golden syrup can be substituted for a clear honey. So lets make like busy bees and get baking before the final starts!

Prep time 15 minutes
Cooking time is approximately 45 minutes

INGREDIENTS
500g fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
75g light brown sugar
25ml fresh orange juice

For the topping
150g rolled porridge oats
100g plain flour
100g unsalted butter, chilled
2tbs of golden syrup
100g light brown sugar

METHOD
Begin by preheating the oven to 350F/180°c, gas mark 4.
1. Put your halved strawberries, orange juice and sugar into a large oven proof dish.
2. In a separate bowl mix the rolled oats and the flour, then begin cutting in the butter. Use your fingers to crumble the oat and flour mixture with the butter until it resembles breadcrumbs.
3. Then add your golden syrup into the mixture and continue to crumble it until it begins to form small clumps.
4. Pour and evenly spread out your katy crumble mixture over your strawberries, and place into the oven, leaving it to cook for around 45 minutes The best way to tell it’s ready, is when there is bubbling around the edges, the fruit has tenderised and the top is a crunch golden brown colour.
5. Remove from the oven and leave to cool or a few minutes. Serve by itself or with crème fraîche or vanilla ice cream.

Game, Set and Match! you’re all ready for the Wimbledon final!