easy dessert:

Currently, strawberries are stacked at every corner of the farmer’s market. The deliciously sweet fruit is incomparable and a wonderful produce specialty of Southern California. Right now one of my favorites, Chandlers are available. However, I always try a selection, because at any given time one varietal can be better than another.

Stroll the farm stands, sample away and choose the strawberries that tastes best – what can be better than that? OK, no comment.   A varietal that I eagerly anticipate each year are the Seascapes, these are a rare treat, being very fragile, they are not a candidate for shipping. Lucky for us in Santa Barbara, they are grown in our own backyard (mine in particular). Be on the lookout for the Seascapes a little later in the season.

My mom was not a baker, which with a houseful of girls was a blessing, because it helped us keep our waistlines slim to squeeze into our beloved Guess jeans. An easy, elegant and tasty dessert that my mom often served was to fill a beautiful big porcelain bowl or platter with just washed strawberries (stems on) and two smaller bowls; one with sour cream and the other with brown sugar. Dip the strawberries first in the sour cream, then in the brown sugar. Simple as that, a delish dish, effortless and beautiful, perfect for entertaining on any level.

I am an advocate for not saving your special serving platters, flatware and bowls for a few occasions a year. Growing up we had tons of gorgeous porcelain flat wear that were family pieces passed down to parents from their European mothers and grandmothers. My mom used it all, all the time. She loves pretty things and thought it was silly to hide treasures away when you could be using them with such enjoyment. I remember conversations around the table with these special heirlooms, talking about which relative it came from and why it was special. My mom always used cloth napkins too. We would actually use the same napkin for the entire week. She had us make our own napkin ring and after we would use the napkin, the napkin ring would go back on, ready for its next use. How about that for being green in the 80’s?!? Go Mom!