Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezey.

That's in the words of my friend's mother Jeannie. And right now I'm applying it to a strawberry pie I made for Easter. I'm pretty sure I posted this on Dakota Martin at some point, but its so good and so easy I'll do it again. I found it years ago ( Literally, 2005 ! ) in a spring issue of Domino Mag ( RIP ). I still have my little tear out from it and the loss saddens me every time. I hadn't made it for a long time before last Sunday, but its such a good-go to I was back at it. This desserts screams summer with every little bite and it honors sunny skies because its healthy -- you don't have to feel a bikini bod transgression when you indulge ( it was 80 yesterday in NYC, no more layers ).

This sort of taste transplants me to a backyard with my bare feet in cool grass as dusk settles in and fireflies appear. I can see post-and-rail fences, lush green trees and a flagstone deck resting from the sun for the first time in hours. Maybe my eyes sting from chlorine and I'm wrapped in a damp towel with not much more to worry about than who's coming over to play tomorrow or whether I should watch Dirty Dancing or Grease. I wish that was a literal transplant, but I'll take the vision too.

Promise this wont disappoint or take you more than 20 minutes. Also, I was looking at tiny tart shells I have last night. Mini versions with different fruits could be fantastic -- any berry, kiwi, peaches, plums, even grape halves could be fun !

Raw Strawberry Pie ::

2 lbs fresh strawberries, tops removed, quartered
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice ( about half a lemon )
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 cups raw almonds
1 3/4 cups pitted dates

In a bowl, combine strawberries, lemon juice, vanilla and brown sugar. Mix well and let it sit while you make the crust. ( This is where I digress from the real recipe a bit, but my way is easier ) Combine dates and almonds in a food processor until well chopped and combined. Press mixture onto the bottom and sides of an oiled 9" pie plate to form crust. Using a slotted spoon or your hands, pile berries into the crust, discarding any remaining liquid. Refrigerate for two hours and serve.

Domino suggests lemon sorbet and fresh mint. I don't know why I've never done these things, but that sounds like summer on top of summer on top of summer. yum.

Apple + Blackberry

This was definitely one of two winning desserts. I was a tiny bit skeptical of this because I was worried about the tartness of the Blackberries being overpowering. Not that skeptical though, because after all it is a Martha recipe :). Well, she is right on the mark, not surprisingly. With the baking + sugar + cinnamon, the blackberries sweetened right up. Scrumptious I would even say. A nice twist to apple pie and a prettier name :). I highly recommend for Christmas.

The recipe is super easy, the only time that needs to be factored in is the refrigeration of this very simple dough.

Martha recommends varying leaf cookie cutters. I only had this one. Worked a-okay. My concern was that people would see the maple leaf and think there was maple involved in the pie. My little sister rolled her eyes at me and reminded that most are thinking that seriously when they look at a Thanksgiving pie :). Oopsie.

Little egg wash, little baking, and she was good to go. Anyone can make this. Promise.