Autumn, the weather cools, the leaves change, rain comes and things begin to get cosy again... Autumn; wishful thinking!!
If you aren't familiar with what the climate is like here in Darwin, allow me to enlighten you. According to the Bureau of Meteorology; the average temperature at 9am, throughout the month of April, is 27.4c and the relative humidity is 74%. At 3pm the average temperature is 31.8c and the relative humidity is 52%(the overnight average temperature is 24c). The day starts warm and sticky and gets warmer, and SLIGHTLY less sticky by the afternoon. At this time of year everyone is hanging out for the dry season, which is due to bring relief in May.
We don't really experience four seasons here. It really is more of an endless summer, the changes that occur in the weather are more to do with fluctuating humidity than temperatures. Our 'winter' is defined by clear, sunny days and cool nights where relief from intense humidity is enjoyed. 'Summer'= very high humidity, very steamy, sticky day and nights- relief is found only during the monsoonal downpours which may last a week or more. During a monsoon it's still tank-top weather but the lack of sunlight brings the temperature down considerably, allowing the air-cons to work more efficiently and perhaps even relieved of duty (the fans are still going full bore of course!).
It is a unique climate. One that many people struggle to live with, including myself- a self confessed lover of winter (how did I end up here?!). Despite its intensity there are things that you come to appreciate, even love about life in Darwin's 'forever summer'. The rains, the amazing wildlife, amazing green everywhere, long guilt-free showers (yes, no water restrictions here!), never having cold feet, never having to take a jumper with you 'just in case', phenomenal cloud formations, sunsets and thunderstorms. A change in the weather, when it comes, is like the very kiss of heaven and you can hardly imagine appreciating anything more.
I do TRY to be a happy camper, and focus on the blessings- of which there are many. I have to say I am EXTREMELY grateful to have a house fully air-conditioned, after nearly 5 years of only having the bedrooms climate controlled, (and fairly poorly at that) to be able to keep the whole house comfortably cool is bliss! It has meant that my culinary creativity is unleashed more frequently as I am no longer so concerned about the oven's affect on the household temperature.
That said, I am slowly coming around to my point which is; autumn baking. No, I don't get to experience traditionally autumn weather, like so many of you lucky ducks out there! I hear your facebook posts about stoking up the fires, getting out the flannelette sheets, enjoying the cool nights and fine days, sigh... BUT I can still whack on the air-cons and cook up an autumnal feast and enjoy it as heartily as anyone warming their toes-ies by the fire! We still get to enjoy the seasonal low prices on stone fruit. Oh how I love stone fruit! Peaches and nectarines cooked til tender in butter and brown sugar and dolloped with cream- YUM! Even the most bland tasting fruit is transformed into something amazing by this process. However, my absolute favourite dessert of the moment would have to be; Plum and Pecan crumble. A Nigella recipe of course! This is a perfect way to celebrate and savour the autumn weather (whatever the weather might be for you!). You must try this recipe! I have made it about 5 times now, it is so easy and so delicious I had to share it with you all.
FILLING
approx 1 kg plums
30g butter
2-4 tablespoons brown sugar/demerara (depending how sour fruit is)
1 tablespoon of corn flour
CRUMBLE TOPPING
150g cold butter diced
250g self-raising flour
150g demerara sugar (look, its there on the sugar shelf somewhere! I found it!)
200g pecans, roughly chopped (even left whole is good)
20cm round pie dish
Preheat oven to 190c. Halve the plums and put them, cut side up in the dish, squeeze in as many as will fit comfortably. Dot with butter, sprinkle with sugar, sprinkle corn flour over as well (to help soak up juices). Put the plums in the oven for about 20mins as they need a head start to be cooked properly. While the plums cook, start the crumble; Rub the butter into the flour with your fingers, you want the butter rubbed in creating nice pebbles of mixture, lumpy is good! Now stir the sugar and pecans in with a fork. When the plums are softened, pull them out and sprinkle over crumble mixture and put back in the oven to cook until the top is nicely browned.
serve with custard, cream or ice-cream (or maybe all three?)
I made a nice whipped cream with vanilla extract, a tablespoon of caster sugar and a teaspoon of cinnamon. Mmmm!
Try it and tell me what you think! Happy Autumn baking!
That said, I am slowly coming around to my point which is; autumn baking. No, I don't get to experience traditionally autumn weather, like so many of you lucky ducks out there! I hear your facebook posts about stoking up the fires, getting out the flannelette sheets, enjoying the cool nights and fine days, sigh... BUT I can still whack on the air-cons and cook up an autumnal feast and enjoy it as heartily as anyone warming their toes-ies by the fire! We still get to enjoy the seasonal low prices on stone fruit. Oh how I love stone fruit! Peaches and nectarines cooked til tender in butter and brown sugar and dolloped with cream- YUM! Even the most bland tasting fruit is transformed into something amazing by this process. However, my absolute favourite dessert of the moment would have to be; Plum and Pecan crumble. A Nigella recipe of course! This is a perfect way to celebrate and savour the autumn weather (whatever the weather might be for you!). You must try this recipe! I have made it about 5 times now, it is so easy and so delicious I had to share it with you all.
FILLING
approx 1 kg plums
30g butter
2-4 tablespoons brown sugar/demerara (depending how sour fruit is)
1 tablespoon of corn flour
CRUMBLE TOPPING
150g cold butter diced
250g self-raising flour
150g demerara sugar (look, its there on the sugar shelf somewhere! I found it!)
200g pecans, roughly chopped (even left whole is good)
20cm round pie dish
Preheat oven to 190c. Halve the plums and put them, cut side up in the dish, squeeze in as many as will fit comfortably. Dot with butter, sprinkle with sugar, sprinkle corn flour over as well (to help soak up juices). Put the plums in the oven for about 20mins as they need a head start to be cooked properly. While the plums cook, start the crumble; Rub the butter into the flour with your fingers, you want the butter rubbed in creating nice pebbles of mixture, lumpy is good! Now stir the sugar and pecans in with a fork. When the plums are softened, pull them out and sprinkle over crumble mixture and put back in the oven to cook until the top is nicely browned.
serve with custard, cream or ice-cream (or maybe all three?)
I made a nice whipped cream with vanilla extract, a tablespoon of caster sugar and a teaspoon of cinnamon. Mmmm!
Try it and tell me what you think! Happy Autumn baking!
