Barefoot Contessa's Berry Crumble

Happy Foodie Friday!

I've been a fan of the Barefoot Contessa (Ina Garten) for several years, and this recipe is adapted from her Plum and Raspberry Crumble.











The good thing is that you can substitute the equal amount of almost any fruit for the plums and raspberries. I used frozen mixed berries this time (don't bother to thaw.)









To me it's not a true, old-fashioned fruit crumble unless it bubbles and oozes over the side as it bakes. (Tip: Bake on a silicone liner, parchment paper, or foil for easier clean-up.)

Ina's is my favorite version of this classic dessert.It's so good you can serve it plain.


But with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a big splash of cream? It's even more heavenly.
It goes together in moments so there is a big delicious return for very little effort!Usually I make these in individual sized servings, but since a Pillivuyt oval baker is one of the items you can choose in my current give-away ~ I baked a big one in my oval Pillivuyt baker so you can see one of the ways you can use the oval baking dish.


If you would like Ina's recipe, you can find it on the FoodNetwork website by clicking HERE.


You can also find more of Ina's delicious recipes on her "Barefoot Contessa" website. Click HERE to see more.

Happy Foodie Friday Everyone!Click the logo to go to Michael's beautiful blog and to find links to all participants this week.

Tablescape ~ Green and White Spring Luncheon Table

Welcome to Tablescape Thursday~

This week I'm doing a Green & White Spring Luncheon at my house.

We've been teased with some glorious sunny weather recently,

but not today ~ the gray and drizzly skies make taking

cheerful, bright photos a bit of a challenge, so I hope you'll bear with me.

Sometimes I hesitate cutting tulips because I love looking out at the color, but I cut these to enjoy at the table figuring it was better than letting them get beat up by the rain.

Decorative birdcage, holding a vintage milk glass

bird-on-a-nest themed candy dish, a candle and

yellow tulips.

I'm sure you all recognize the 'Bee' flatware (Neiman Marcus/Horchow.)

Round Tablecloth ~ Williams Sonoma

Round woven placemats ~ Beds Bath & Beyond

Porcelain Charger ~ Nell Hills

Luncheon Plate ~ Dansk

Canape Plates; French Vineyards ~ Longchamp, made in France

Vintage Sherbet Dishes

I use them to serve all kinds of other things, too

Napkins ~ Sur la Table (currently available)

Salt and Peppers ~ Smith Hawken (now defunct.) :(

Lily of the Valley Place card holders~

Victorian Trading Company

Real, honest-to-goodness raindrops from the Pacific Northwest, straight from the garden. :D

Vintage Pressed glass creamer ~

I usually use it as a posy holder. :)

Bee Pattern ~ La Rochere (France)

Stemmed glasses ~ La Rochere, Perigord Pattern (France)

Thank you so much for stopping by to visit! I truly appreciate any comments you would like to share.

GIVE AWAY!!

Please check back tomorrow afternoon to get details of

my next give away, and sign-up for a chance to win!

Many thanks to Susan of "Between Naps on the Porch" for hosting Tablescape Thursdays.
Please click on the logo above to visit Susan's gorgeous blog!

Italian Soup Rustico ~ From the Pantry

Are you enjoying beautiful sunshine in your part of the world? The weather was gorgeous this weekend, but true to our normal April weather, showers are back with us this week.So even in springtime sometimes a steaming bowl of soup is just the thing that's needed to warm the body and spirit. And this one has several things going for it ~ it goes together quickly, it is fairly healthful as is, but you can use low-sodium ingredients if you like. And of course if you want to make it vegetarian friendly, use vegetable stock and omit the bacon.
These ingredients, plus a little bit of olive oil are what you'll need to have this wonderful, richly flavored soup on the table in under 30 minutes.I usually have these pantry staples on hand, so it's really convenient to make without having to run to the store.
You can use any kind of canned beans that you like ~ this time I chose cannellini because that's what I had in the pantry. Kidney, garbanzos, butter beans, etc. work equally well.

You can garnish with additional chopped herbs, grated Parmesan, or as I did this time, with a toasted slice of baguette with melted cheese and a little crisp bacon.

If this one sounds good to you, I'll hope you'll give it a try.Once you make it, it's one of those that you'll keep in your head ~ and won't need a recipe at all. I love that.
If you would like a printable copy of the recipe you can find it HERE on my recipe blog.
ALSO ~ If you like the little Le Creuset cocottes (individual covered bakers) like the ones shown here, you will have a chance to WIN them in Cobalt Blue, or Cherry Red in my upcoming GIVE-AWAY open to entrants in the continental US and Canada.Details of the give-away to follow soon!

French Lemon Cake with Strawberry Glaze

It's time for Foodie Friday ~ AND a Give-Away alert!

Yesterday for Tablescape Thursday I did a Mother-Daughter Tea.

And although my mom is no longer with us, I decided to make a cake that she used to make.

It's one of those that you can put together VERY quickly as it is mixed in the food processor.

After it is baked sweetened lemon juice is drizzled over the top, intensifying the luscious lemon flavor.



It can be served plain, and it's very good that way ~ but I wanted to dress it up a little so I added a Strawberry glaze, made with melted Strawberry jam, and then piped on a little whipped cream.






So simple, and so very good!


If you'd like the recipe, a printable copy is available on my  recipe blog .

Click HERE to link directly to the recipe.

I hope you'll check out all of this weeks' Foodie Friday's participants ~ click the logo below to link.


~*~*~*~*~



ALSO a GIVE AWAY ALERT!! Please check back in the next few days for news about my upcoming Give-Away ~ You're going to love it. It's going to be the most exciting one yet, as YOU (as the winner) get to choose the prize!




For more information about the dishes and accessories, please click HERE to go to my Tablescape Thursday post. Thank you for stopping by to visit ~ and have a WONDERFUL weekend everyone! xo