Kapow! apple and rhubarb chutney crumble

After I finished making four kinds of apple butter last week, I found about eight little Paula Red apples left in my bag. At first, I thought I'd make a little apple pie, but I really didn't want to make a crust, and as it was already evening, I didn't want to run to the store to buy one. Ah, I thought, I'll make an apple crumble.

As I sliced and cored these apples, I decided that I wanted to make something with less sugar than a traditional crumble or crisp, but I wasn't sure what to do to boost the flavor. Sure, I could mix in some apple butter for sweetness, but was there something else in my fridge? That's when I came across some rhubarb chutney I had made a while back. Instead of adding sweetness, I would add spice! 

Apple and rhubarb chutney crumble

And, oh boy, is it good. Think about it. The spices are already in the chutney. The spicy sweet tangy smell coming from the oven was incredible! Don't have any rhubarb chutney? Here's my recipe. Not interested in making your own chutney? Pick up some Major Grey's chutney or mango chutney at the store.

Here's the recipe.

Filling:
8 or 10 good pie apples, cored and sliced (enough for a 9-by-12 inch pan with room for topping)
1 cup apple butter
2 cups rhubarb or other chutney

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Mix the apples, apple butter, and chutney well. Pour into a greased 9-by-12 inch baking pan. Sprinkle 2 or 3 cups of your favorite crumble/streusel topping on top, then bake for 40 minutes or till bubbly around the edges. Let cool before serving with or without whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

If you don't have a topping recipe, try this.
1/2 cup roasted almonds
1 cup oats
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup rice flour (I used this to keep it gluten-free, but wheat flour would work well.)
5 or 6 T of butter
perhaps a bit of water

Put the almonds, oats, brown sugar and flour into a food processor and process till the nuts are chopped and the mixture is homogenous. Add the butter and process again till the mixture clumps well. It it is still dry in places, add a tablespoon or two of water and process for a bit longer.