Apple Dumpling (Mrs McArthur's Wartime Cookbook)

Mrs McArthur's Apple Dumpling.

Mrs McArthur is Dr Anne's paternal grandmother. Dr Anne's dad loved his apple dumpling and even after he died her mum made one apple dumpling each year.

Ingredients:

2 teacups flour;

1 teacup breadcrumbs;

1/2 teaspoon baking soda;

sugar;

good lump of margarine.

Method:

Rub margarine into flour lightly, add salt and baking powder. Roll out on board. Fill bowl with prepared apples and cover with paper. Steam for 2 and 1/2 hours.

Comment: Today was the day for Dr Anne to make her first Apple Dumpling. She set out the apples, peeled and cored them and put them in some cold water. With no stale bread in the house she crumbed some scones. She added flour, butter, sugar (less than what she thought was required because of the sugar in the scone mixture) and a little water to get the 'right' consistency. She rolled out the pastry and fitted it into a buttered ceramic bowl. She filled the bowl with the apples and a little sugar then put on a pastry lid doing her best to seal the pastry. Instead of making a cover with greaseproof paper she looked out a piece of cloth used by her mother. She then put the bowl in a large pot of boiling water and steamed it for two and a half hours. She even remembered to check that the water did not run dry.

Verdict: The dumpling tastes pretty good. She will do it again next year.