Triple Berry Crisp

Berries are bursting, folks.  This is the season for plump, juicy berries and here's a wonderful way to enjoy them.

  I've been noticing that several of my posts say "Easy," but make no mistake-- no flavor has been sacrificed to bring you this simplicity!  And today's recipe is no exception-- it's slap-the-table delicious, but also a snap to make.  It's great for taking to potlucks, and the perfect finish to a summertime barbecue.

3 Cups fresh raspberries (okay, you can make this in the wintertime and use frozen ones, too)
2 Cup fresh boysenberries (ditto)
2 Cups fresh blueberries (ditto, but you know fresh are always superior)
2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
1 Tbsp. flour
2 Tbsp. sugar

Topping:
1 Cup rolled oats
1 Tbsp. flour
2 Tbsp. packed brown sugar
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/3 cup minced nuts, if desired
2 Tbsp. butter, melted

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  In a large bowl, toss berries with juice, flour, and sugar.  Place in an ungreased 9-inch pie plate.
2. In a medium bowl, stir topping ingredients together until crumbly, then sprinkle over berries.  Place on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes.  Top with whipped cream, yogurt, or vanilla ice cream, if desired.

Strawberry Dumplings

Just in time for Mother's Day, a decadent, wonderful dessert!  It won the Grand Prize in a Reddi-Wip Contest, so I'll give you that version first, followed by an even richer, more sinful version.  Both are heavenly (and super easy, too).
Scroll down for a photo of me holding a plate of them.  I'm sitting on the staircase of our house in Iowa, and our third son, Cassidy, can hardly wait to dig in!

16 square wonton wrappers
8 fresh strawberries, trimmed and cleaned
oil for frying
powered sugar
Reddi Wip

Place one strawberry on each of 8 wonton wrappers.  Moisten edges of the other 8 wrappers and cover strawberries, pressing to seal edges and form dumplings.  Fry in skillet over high heat, turning wontons frequently, five minutes or until golden brown.  Drain dumplings, dust lightly with powdered sugar, and serve with Reddi Wip.

OR...
Use filled strawberries!  Simply beat 6 oz. of softened cream cheese with 1 & 1/2 Tablespoons of powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon of vanilla.  Then hollow out the berries and pipe this creamy mixture into them.  (You'll have lots of filling left-- use it for additional berries that you don't fry.)