Orchard recipes

(Serves 10-12 slices)

Ingredients

• 150g/5oz soft brown sugar
• 175g/6oz plain flour
• ¼ tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 150g/5oz oats
• 175g/6oz margarine
• 275kg/10oz fresh raspberries

Method

1. Combine brown sugar, flour, bicarbonate of soda and oats in a mixing bowl.
2. Add margarine and mix to form a crumbly mixture.
3. Press ¾ of the mixture into a 9x9 inch square tin.
4. Spread raspberries over the base. Do not spread it right up to the edge as it will spread.
5. Sprinkle the remaining crumb mix over the top and lightly press into the raspberries.
6. Bake at 180oC, Gas 4 for 25 minutes or until lightly browned.
7. Allow to cool before cutting into slices.

Tips

• Raspberries can be swapped for other berries such as blackberries, blueberries or strawberries.
• Frozen berries can be used instead of fresh ones.
• Try using 3-4 mashed bananas instead of berries.

(Serves 10 people)

Ingredients

• 75g/3oz margarine
• 90g/4oz granulated sugar
• 50g/2oz light brown sugar
• ½ tsp vanilla essence
• 1 free range egg
• 175g/6oz flour
• 10g/½ oz baking powder
• 110g/4oz dark chocolate drops
• 110g/4oz fresh apricots (stone removed and chopped)

Method

1. Place the margarine, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla essence into a mixing bowl and beat together.
2. Gradually beat in the egg until light and fluffy.
3. Gently mix in the flour, chocolate drops and apricots, which have had the stones removed and been chopped.
4. Put dessert spoonful of the cookie mix onto greased trays allowing space for the cookies to spread.
5. Bake in oven set at 180°C, Gas 4 for 13 to 15 minutes or until crisp outside but still soft inside.
6. Cool on baking tray for 2 minutes before moving.

Tips

• Instead of dried fruit, add a mashed-up banana into step 1.
• Substitute raisins for apricots.

(Serves 10-12 slices)

Ingredients

• 300g/11oz self-raising flour
• 130g/4½oz margarine
• 130g/4½oz sugar
• 275ml/½ pint milk
• 50g/½oz baking powder
• 1 orange (zest and juice)
• 275g/10oz fresh plums (stoned and halved)

Topping

• 110g/4oz caster sugar
• ½ lemon (juice only)
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Method

1. Beat the margarine and sugar until light and fluffy.
2. Add the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, orange zest, milk and then the orange juice.
3. Line a 22cm cake tin with greaseproof paper or grease the tin.
4. Pour the mixture into the tin and top with the plums which have been cut in half and the stones removed.
5. Cook for 30-35 minutes on 180 C.
6. Dissolve the sugar in the lemon juice.
7. Whilst the cake is still warm, brush over the lemon mix, coating the cake evenly.
8. Leave to cool and then cut into portions.

(Serves four people)

Ingredients

• 12oz/350g apples, peeled, cored and slice thinly
• 2 tbsp of sultanas
• 2oz/50g sunflower margarine
• 4oz/100g self-raising flour
• 2oz/50g sugar

Method

1. Pre-heat the oven 190c/375f/gas 5.
2. Prepare the fruit and place into an ovenproof dish.
3. Weigh the flour out and place into a bowl.
4. Use your fingertips rub the margarine into the flour until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.
5. Stir sugar into the crumble mixture.
6. Cover the fruit with the crumble mixture.
7. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown

Ingredients

• 3 to 4 lbs of peeled, cored, and quartered apples.
• 4 strips of lemon peel - use a vegetable peeler to strip 4 lengths
• Juice of one lemon, about 2 tbsp
• 3 inches of cinnamon stick
• 1 ½ tbsp brown sugar
• 1 cup of water

Method

1. Put all ingredients into a large pot. Cover. Bring to boil.
2. Lower heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
3. Remove from heat. Remove cinnamon sticks and lemon peels.
4. Mash with potato masher.
5. Ready to serve, either hot or refrigerated.
6. Freezes easily, lasts up to 5 months.

(Serves four people)

Ingredients

• 450g pork sliced into chunks – you could use sausages if you'd prefer
• 2-3 tablespoons flour
• 10 mushrooms – sliced
• 1 onion – peeled and chopped
• 300ml (16 tablespoons) Apple Juice
• 2 cooking apples, peeled and chopped
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• Black Pepper to season
• Mixed herbs – 1 teaspoon

Method

1. Preheat oven to 180°C/350°/Gas Mark 4
2. Mix the flour with the mixed herbs and pepper
3. Toss the pork (or sausages) in the seasoned flour
4. Heat the oil in a pan and add the pork. Cook until browned
5. Place in casserole dish
6. Add the mushrooms, onion and apple to the casserole dish
7. Pour over the apple juice, stir and cover with lid or foil
8. Place in oven for 1 hour 45minutes
9. Serve with potatoes, rice and some cooked vegetables