My Mate …

who is English, lives in the USA – he's over here to see family and friends and has popped in a couple of times with an American friend, also visiting. Can it be that this friendship has lasted over 30 years?!

We've always hopped backwards and forwards and he has become my oldest student and a good one too!

If you feel inclined check out the USA label on the blog you'll see a series of posts “On location in South Carolina” - actions speak louder than words.

Coincidentally whilst he's been here I came across an American dessert which caught my eye - probably because of the name – Pandowdy!

We have a similar pudding in the UK – a cobbler – here it's usually made with a scone mix as opposed to the batter used in the US version.

Pandowdy

The apples

150g soft light brown sugar

25g plain flour

¼ tsp salt

250ml water

2 tsp cider vinegar

60ml black treacle

675g apples – I used Pink Lady, peeled, quartered

and cored – each quarter cut into eight pieces

½ tsp ground cinnamon

pinch of ground nutmeg

60g unsalted butter

The topping

100g plain flour

2 tsps baking powder

¾ tsp salt

45g cold unsalted butter

180ml milk

There must be something in the air!