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Michaelmas dumplings

Michaelmas dumpling with blackberry puree topped with cream in a blue and white soup dish. Two branches of blackberries. Silver jug of cream. Wooden background.

In the British Isles, where the blackberry is a native fruit, there is a myth that when St Michael expelled Lucifer from heaven, he fell down to earth and landed in a blackberry bush.  In his anger and pain, he cursed the berries, scorched them with his breath and urinated on them so that they would be unfit for eating.  It is therefore regarded as bad luck to eat blackberries after 29th September, so Michaelmas is the last opportunity to eat them.  This is an ideal dish to serve as a dessert after the Michaelmas goose.

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl or food processor
  • Lidded saucepan
  • 4 dessert bowls

Preparation method

  • To make the dumpling dough place the flour and salt in the large mixing bowl or processor.
  • Add the butter and rub in with your fingertips, or process for a minute or two.
  • Add the sugar and stir in, or process.
  • Add the milk and stir in (or process) to make a soft, scone-like dough.
  • Place the dough onto a lightly floured work surface and gently knead for a minute. It is important not to overwork the dough or it will be tough when cooked.
  • Roll out the dough to about 1cm thick.
  • Cut the dough in quarters.
  • Carefully wrap the dough around each apple quarter until they are completely covered. It’s advisable to wet your hands for this as the dough can stick to them otherwise.
  • Place the water and granulated sugar in the saucepan and bring to the boil.
  • Add the blackberries and stir in. Continue to boil until the blackberries are tender and the liquid has thickened.
  • Use a masher to mash the blackberries so you have a jammy rather than compote consistency.
  • Lower the heat to a gentle simmer and place the apple dumplings on top of the blackberries.
  • Cover the saucepan and simmer for 25 minutes.
  • To serve, place an apple dumpling in each bowl and surround it with the blackberry sauce. Serve with a generous lashing of double cream.

Victorian

Serves:
4
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 200 g self-raising flour
  • Pinch salt
  • 50 g cold butter, cut into cubes
  • 3 tbsp caster sugar
  • 100 ml whole milk
  • 1 large Bramley apple, peeled, cored and quartered
  • 300 g blackberries
  • 200 ml water
  • 3 tbsp granulated sugar

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Michaelmas dumplings
Serving Size
 
253 g
Amount per Serving
Calories
480
Percent of Daily Value*
Fat
 
11
g
17
%
Saturated Fat
 
6.8
g
43
%
Cholesterol
 
30
mg
10
%
Sodium
 
101
mg
4
%
Potassium
 
218
mg
6
%
Carbohydrates
 
87
g
29
%
Fiber
 
5.3
g
22
%
Sugar
 
46
g
51
%
Protein
 
8.8
g
18
%
Calcium
 
57
mg
6
%
Iron
 
0.6
mg
3
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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Keywords

Blackberries

Michaelmas