Ingredients (serves 6):
Filling
8 conference pears, skin on, cored and cut in to medium chunks
4 plums, stone removed and quartered
170g sugar
1 whole star anise
1 vanilla pod, split and seeds scraped
Zest and juice of 1 orange
125g chopped dates
1 cinnamon stick
Topping:
125g granola
275g plain flour
125g unsalted butter, diced
125g caster sugar
125g macadamia nuts, roasted and chopped
Oven temp 180˚
Place all of the filling ingredients in a suitably sized pan and simmer on a low heat for 25-40 minutes, stirring occasionally
Once the fruit has collapsed remove from the heat
Meanwhile, rub the flour, sugar and butter together in a bowl or electric mixer with a k beater attached until it resembles breadcrumbs
Transfer the breadcrumb-like mixture to a roasting tray and bake for 5-9 minutes in the oven until the classic crumble like appearance is achieved
Add the granola and nuts to the crumble topping
Pour the fruit mixture into an ovenproof dish and top with the topping
Bake until warmed through
Absolutely delicious with custard, ice cream or chocolate sauce with a few flecks of sea salt chucked in to be different!!