A quiet Friday night, just Deb and me,  kids out on a sleepover.  Watching TV on the couch, and the "I could go for something sweet" bug attacks us.  First thought is to go around the corner to Dunkin Donuts and have what's left and most likely really stale...bad idea.  Open the refrigerator and spot a container of strawberries.  Ok.  Strawberries sliced, served in a bowl.  Nice, refreshing, healthy dessert.  That idea stinks.  I want something sweet, as in, sugar...so, the quickest baked dessert I know of, is a fruit crumble.    AND it goes so well, when it's warm, with a scoop of vanilla or butter pecan ice cream..  Turn around, pre-heat the oven, and get started.  In less than 35 minutes, we were enjoying a bowl of love that made the whole house smell like a fall holiday..almost could imagine  a little snow outside...scratch that thought, hate the winter...but like winter foods... enjoyed the Warm, spice fragrant, fruity crumble over butter pecan ice cream, which melted into creamy pools, mixing with the fruit and crumbs.

STRAWBERRY CRUMBLE

1 cup unbleached flour
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 brown sugar
1/3 tsp. sea salt
1 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. ground allspice  (try this spice and use it more frequently, even in savory dishes, has phee-nom flavor)
1 1/2 cups sliced strawberries
3 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. fresh lemon juice  (don't ever use reconstituted lemon juice, taste like liquified unsweetened sourpatch kids)

Pre-heat oven to 350o.  In a large bown, cut the softened butter into the dry ingredients, except for the strawberries, lemon juice, and sugar.  With your hands, blend the butter and dry ingredients still small balls form, like crumbly corn meal.  Set aside.  In another bowl, Add strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice.  Mix well.  Pour the fruit into a small baking pan.  Pour the crumble mixture evenly over the top.  Bake for 25 minutes, or until brown and bubbly on top.  There should be pools of molted berry bubbling up to the surface and the crumbs should be somewhat firm.  Let cool for at least 8 minutes before serving (or you will remove 2 layers off of your tongue).  Serve with a scoop of ice cream and let that melt and mix with the crumble!











the finished product!