Big Issue Recipe Collection: Jamie Oliver’s thrifty fruit crumble costs just 72p per portion

Beautifully soft berries, sweet apples and a buttery oat topping, this recipe is proof that you don’t need fresh fruit to make a cracking crumble. I’m keeping costs down by swapping in frozen mixed berries and granulated sugar (which is around half the price of caster sugar right now!). If you’ve got any apples lying around that are past their best, this recipe is also great for bringing them back to life.

COST PER PORTION: 72p*
SERVES 8
TOTAL TIME: 45 MINUTES

1kg mixed frozen berries
2 eating apples (300g)
100g unsalted butter (cold)
150g plain flour
75g rolled oats
150g granulated sugar
vanilla ice cream, to serve

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/gas 6. Tip the frozen berries into a large bowl, and place in the microwave on high (800W) for 10 minutes until defrosted. Or leave to defrost in the fridge overnight. Once defrosted, drain and reserve the excess juice (see tip).

2. Meanwhile, roughly chop apples into 1cm cubes (skin and all).

3. For the crumble topping, cube the butter and place in a mixing bowl with the flour. Rub together with your fingertips until it resembles breadcrumbs, then stir in the oats and half of the sugar.

4. Tip the berries into a 30cm x 25cm baking dish, stir in the chopped apple and remaining sugar, tossing until the apples are well coated. Sprinkle over the crumble topping, then bake in the oven for 25 minutes, or until beautifully golden. Delicious served with scoops of vanilla ice cream.

LOVE YOUR LEFTOVERS

Transform the berry juice into a lovely syrup or cordial. Simply add 2 teaspoons of sugar and reduce in a saucepan on medium-low until the sugar has dissolved, stirring regularly. Decant into sterilised glass bottles and keep in a cool place for up to 2 months. Delicious drizzled over ice cream or yoghurt. Or, simply leave as is and dilute in water – it makes a cracking cordial.

*Prices correct at time of creation (January 2024). Recipes © Jamie Oliver Enterprises Limited. 

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