Friday, September 19, 2008

Cobbled Together With Love

My husband was one of two boys and my mother-in-law was mighty glad when he got married. She'd been swimming in the testosterone sea long enough and was thrilled to have another woman in the family. When my in-laws crossed the state to visit us, she'd bring over dishes and pans that she found at garage sales (she's the queen of garage sales) to stretch out my meager newlywed kitchen. Then she'd take me to the grocery store and buy treats to stock our cupboards and give me advice and pointers on how to be a homemaker.

One of the best things she shared with me was her recipe for cobbler. This is a wonderfully versatile recipe that you can adapt to fit your tastes, preferences, and whatever fruit is in season. It's not especially elegant, but it's quick to throw together and tastes like the very best of warm, home-made comfort food.

My mother-in-law loves tasting mostly fruit, so she makes this in a 9 x 13-inch pan. I love the dough, so I'll use a 9 x 9-inch pan or double the dough for a 9 x 13-inch pan. You can use a single fruit or pair up fruits. I used peaches and blueberries for this one. I also love apples and blueberries together. You can add extra spices according to your taste. Maybe some cinnamon and nutmeg with apples or some ginger with pears? Play with it and have fun.



Pat's Any Way You Like Cobbler

Your choice of fresh fruit, sliced
Sugar
Tapioca
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup melted butter
1 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup milk

- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

- Fill a pan (9 x 13-inch for mostly fruit, 9 x 9-inch for more dough) about 2/3 full with fruit.

- Sprinkle the fruit with sugar. Just a bit if it's very sweet fruit. Be more generous for tart fruit.

-Sprinkle the fruit with tapioca. This absorbs the excess juice, so you'll need to add more for very juicy fruits or berries.

- For the dough combine the egg, sugar, and melted butter. Add the flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir till smooth. Stir in the milk. Stir till smooth. Pour the flour mixture over the fruit in the pan.

- Bake for about 1 hour, till the top is browned. The time will vary depending on how much fruit, what size pan, and how much dough you used.

20 comments:

Deborah said...

Many of my first dishes were from garage sales, as well - bought by my mother. This cobbler looks wonderful. It's been way too long since I've had cobbler!

Anonymous said...

Never tasted a cobbler before, but yours so yummy.

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

So lovely that you and your mother-in-law share the same love/knack for baking!! That cobbler looks quite sensational.

MyKitchenInHalfCups said...

Lynn do you realize you're throwing out 'pearls' here. This is terrific!

Anonymous said...

i love cobbler dough more than the fruit too! your cobbler is so pretty!

BugnLVoe said...

Oh WOW! Yummy!!! I want to make this.

Peabody said...

Any way you like it cobbler sounds good. I love the ones that are so versitle that you can use whatever fruit you like best.

Fruit tart said...

This looks so good. My grandparents helped me set up housekeeping with some great garage sale finds.

Anonymous said...

Oh, I think that looks so good! What do you mean not elegant? Yummy to me looking!

Katie Zeller said...

Blueberries and peaches together...heaven.
And I love the bit about your m-i-l.. How fun, and how nice of her!

Sara said...

Your cobbler looks great, I love fruit desserts like this.

grace said...

this recipe could've come directly out of my mother's mouth--it's very nearly exactly how she makes a cobbler. cakey and delightful. very nice. :)

Susan from Food Blogga said...

Mmm- Mmm... I love a good cobbler. I've been thinking about apples and pears for the fall.

Karen Baking Soda said...

Cobblers aren't a familiar dish in Holland but ever since I made one it's my help in completing a meal that might or might not be "filling" enough for my herd of menfolk (and walk-in friends/co-eaters).
Love the combination of warm fruit and cakey topping! Holland should know!!

RecipeGirl said...

This looks delicious! I'll take a warm piece with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream, please!

Dee Light said...

That cobbler looks wonderful!! I love cooking with fruit!

Katrina said...

That looks so good! I love that the cobbler crust is spread out over the whole thing!

LyB said...

I would have to agree with you with doubling the dough, it looks so crispy and delicious! And I love when a recipe is versatile like this one, you can use whatever you have in the frigde or pantry and you have a beautiful dessert! Thanks so much for sharing. :)

Mary Luce said...

I made this with apple, cinnamon and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar (I also used cornstarch rather than tapioca).
Bubbly, sweet, vanilla ice cream, and the smell...ye gods, the smell...
Thank you :)

Luce

Anonymous said...

Yummy!!! Homey vs elegant... I chose homey. *drools*