For the filling:

• About 1 ½ lb fresh rhubarb cut into 1 inch pieces
• ¾ – 1 cup sugar depending on preference

Scant 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter cut into small pieces, plus more for greasing to the pan. 8 X 12 inch shallow ovenproof dish, greased

For the topping:

• 1 cup cake flour
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons heavy cream, whipped

Preheat the oven to 375 and, as with all desserts which could possibly bubble over, put a baking sheet below on the oven floor.

Spread the chopped rhubarb over the bottom of the dish, sprinkle with the sugar, coating evenly, and dot with butter.  For the topping, sift the flour, sugar, salt into a mixing bow.  Gently stir in the whipped cream, making sticky dough. Spread this mixture over the fruit in handfuls, covering the top evenly.  Bake for 45 minutes, or until the fruit is bubbling – it’s easiest to judge this if using a Pyrex dish and the top is golden.  Serve with cream, ice cream, or custard: there just isn’t a bad way to eat this.

Serves 6-8.

From How to Be a Domestic Goddess, Nigela Lawson