black eyed susans

I cannot get enough of this simple summer flower. I've been filling my pots and my garden with them this season, and their bright yellow faces make every day that much more cheerful.  This hearty little flower is a favorite of New England gardeners, and it always reminds me of summer on the Cape and Islands.

Strawberry Crumble from Anna Jones

Perfect timing by the Wall Street Journal this morning!  I couldn't decide what to make for my tennis team's annual shindig (tonight!), until I came across this recipe for Strawberry Crumble, by Anna Jones.  This is such a beautifully simple recipe, enhanced with elegant nuances from the vanilla bean and lemon zest. I can't wait to get my hands on her cookbook, A Modern Way to Eat.  

Of course,  since I have a strong tendency to play with food,  I added toasted pine nuts and goat cheese to the strawberry mix, and then drizzled it with a scant amount of balsamic syrup.  I also added orange water to the crumble topping because I didn't have any oranges in my fruit basket. I didn't have poppy seeds either, but thats ok. The orange blossom water adds a slightly exotic aroma to the recipe without interfering with the classic taste of baked strawberries and oats.