Emprimir
Correo Electrónico
 |
Direcciones
I never tire of my scenic commute from our home in the Salinas Valley 'burbs, that eventually leads to Highway One along the coast of the Monterey Bay. Beautiful! I'm surrounded by so much agriculture, and acres and acres of Driscoll berries. We are so spoiled and blessed with fresh product, pretty much all year round!
It's exciting to see freshly picked berries, of all kinds, on sale-- two for the price of one! Soon, I'll be making homemade strawberry jam, olallieberry jam (berries that are indigenous only to California and Oregon).
Sometimes, a fruit crisp is an unfussy way to make a delicious dessert that showcases spring/summer berries.
This dessert was no exception in how fast this was to make, and I hope that…
View Full Recipe at A Feast for the Eyes Food…
.%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3ESometimes,%20a%20fruit%20crisp%20is%20an%20unfussy%20way%20to%20make%20a%20delicious%20dessert%20that%20showcases%20spring/summer%20berries.%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3EThis%20dessert%20was%20no%20exception%20in%20how%20fast%20this%20was%20to%20make,%20and%20I%20hope%20that%20you%20try%20it.%20%20I%20adapted%20this%20recipe%20from%20%22I%20Am%20Baker's%22%20blog.%20Amanda%20uses%20fresh%20strawberries,%20which%20sounds%20delicious.%20%20With%20the%20exception%20of%20Strawberry-Rhubarb%20Pie,%20I%20much%20prefer%20to%20keep%20my%20fresh%20strawberries%20in%20their%20true%20uncooked%20form--like%20with%20my%20Fresh%20Strawberry%20Pie%20or%20Strawberry%20Cream%20Cake.%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3ERaspberries%20seemed%20an%20ideal%20substitute%20for%20this%20recipe,%20and%20they%20were%20on%20sale.%20Perfect!%20So,%20I%20grabbed%20my%20beloved%20cast-iron%20skillet%20and%20preheated%20the%20oven%20to%20375F.%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3ENOTE:%20Yes,%20you%20can%20use%20frozen%20berries,%20unthawed.%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3EThe%20dry%20ingredients%20are%20quite%20basic:%20butter,%20flour,%20baking%20powder,%20eggs,%20pure%20vanilla%20and%20almond%20extract,%20%20and%20cinnamon%20(that%20I%20also%20reduced%20so%20it%20would%20be%20more%20subtle).%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3EOne%20of%20my%20favorite%20tips%20for%20combining%20cold%20butter%20into%20dry%20ingredients%20is%20to%20grate%20it.%20%20Try%20it!%20%20It's%20so%20much%20easier%20than%20using%20%20just%20your%20clean%20fingers--%20or%20even%20a%20pastry%20cutter.%20%20I%20used%20some%20non-stick%20spray,%20because%20the%20recipe%20said%20to%20do%20so%20(though%20my%20cast-iron%20skillet%20is%20so%20well-seasoned%20and%20maintained,%20that%20nothing%20sticks%20to%20it%20any%20longer).%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3ENOTE:%20Yes,%20you%20can%20using%20a%20baking%20pan,%20or%20any%20oven-proof%20skillet,%20%20instead.%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3EBefore%20making%20the%20dough,%20I%20had%20mashed%20the%20fresh%20berries,%20along%20with%20some%20cornstarch*,%20and%20sugar%20and%20set%20it%20aside.%20%20I%20pressed%20half%20of%20the%20dough%20into%20the%20skillet,%20and%20then%20added%20the%20raspberry%20filling.%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3E*In%20hindsight,%20I%20wish%20I%20had%20used%20my%20beloved%20%22Instant%20Clearjel%22%20instead%20of%20the%20cornstarch.%20%20This%20works%20so%20much%20better,%20because%20my%20fruit%20fillings%20bind%20together%20much%20better%20(see%20this%20recipe%20for%20proof).%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3EWith%20the%20remaining%20dough,%20I%20broke%20it%20up%20into%20smaller%20pieces%20and%20spread%20them%20evenly%20on%20top%20of%20the%20filling%20and%20then%20placed%20the%20skillet%20into%20%20a%20375F%20oven,%20for%2025-30%20minutes.%20%20Get%20ready%20for%20your%20kitchen%20to%20smell%20like%20cinnamon,%20vanilla%20and%20fresh%20baked%20goodness.%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3ELook%20at%20that%20bubbling%20berry%20goodness!%20%20I%20let%20this%20cool,%20until%20it%20was%20room%20temperature%20(about%2045%20minutes).%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3EAs%20you%20can%20see,%20the%20filling%20was%20a%20bit%20runnier%20than%20I%20would%20have%20liked.%20%20This%20did%20not%20detract%20from%20the%20flavor,%20though--%20this%20is%20pure%20esthetics.%20%20I%20forgot%20to%20glaze%20the%20%22skookie%22%20,%20too!%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3ENow%20that%20the%20filling%20was%20completely%20cooled%20(a%20couple%20of%20hours)%20the%20berries%20were%20more%20firm.%20%20Can%20you%20see%20that%20beautiful%20caramelized%20crust?%20%20That's%20why%20I%20prefer%20using%20my%20cast-iron%20skillet!%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3ETASTING%20NOTES:%20%20The%20crust%20was%20absolutely%20delicious!%20%20It%20was%20buttery,%20with%20the%20perfect%20balance%20of%20vanilla%20and%20almond%20(my%20favorite%20extract).%20%20I'm%20glad%20that%20I%20reduced%20the%20cinnamon,%20which%20added%20to%20the%20flavor%20without%20being%20overpowering.%20%20The%20raspberries%20had%20just%20enough%20tartness%20with%20only%20a%20hint%20of%20sweet,%20and%20the%20almond-flavored%20glaze%20was%20the%20perfect%20sweet%20finish.%20%20We%20loved%20this%20recipe,%20and%20the%20fruit%20combinations%20are%20endless--%20peaches%20and%20raspberries,%20blackberries,%20fresh%20apples.%20%20The%20crust%20is%20really,%20really%20good.%20Did%20I%20mention,%20that%20this%20is%20also%20quick%20and%20easy%20to%20make?%20%20Do%20it!%20%20Here's%20the%20recipe%20card.%3C/p%3E){kind=link}