September 28, 2009

Berry Crumble Bar


Yesterday, before we headed to shop for one of the smartest inventions for moms in the planet, we had lunch in a Chinese restaurant whose parking lot was one of tiniest in Vancouver. So tiny that they basically don't welcome any customers with any cars bigger than a regular sedan! Yet, lot of huge car owners keep visiting there because they have delicious but affordable food.

So, ahead of our car turning into that little parking lot was a full-size luxury sedan similar to a Mercedes C-Class or BMW 7-Series (I forgot the brand!). When I noticed that the lady driver was trying to BACK INTO one of the undersized parking spots, I was all "She doesn't really wanna do that." After a couple failures, she took another spot and tried again! Back in, pull forward, back in again, then pull forward......And finally she settled with parking her car HEAD-IN!!!!!

That lady got off the car, looking around to see if her embarrassment was spotted. I was carrying Ethan walking in the restaurant two feet behind her, Matt was following. At the entrance door, the lady pulled the door open so narrowly that she could slip in sideways without looking back even though she knew someone holding a baby was behind her. Totally shocked, I turned around and told Matt, "You have to make sure Ethan is not gonna be like that!"

So, to that lady, "Yes, we saw you, your driving sucks!!!! You too!"

I made these crumble bars the day after (for no reason). They were adapted from Smitten Kitchen, one of my favorites food blogs. I used raspberries with a little bit blueberries as I just had a little at home. I do recommend to use half and half though to make perfect colors combination.

(makes 25 small square bars)
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cup white sugar
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tbsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 sticks cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/4 tsp salt
Zest and juice of one lemon
2 cups fresh blueberries
2 cups fresh raspberries
4 tsp cornstarch

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375F. Grease a 9×13 inch pan.

Mix 1 cup sugar, flour, baking powder, salt and lemon zest in a food processor.

Add butter and egg, process until the mixture resembles coarse meal

Pat half of the mixture into the prepared pan.

In another bowl, stir together the remaining 1/2 cup sugar, cornstarch and lemon juice. Gently mix in the berries. Sprinkle the berry mixture evenly over the crust.

Crumble remaining dough over the berry layer.

Bake in preheated oven for 45-50 mins, or until top is slightly brown. Cool completely before cutting into squares.

28 comments:

Momo said...

delicious!

Angie's Recipes said...

They streusel bars look wonderful....nice to go with some authentic Italian coffee in the afternoon.

Angie's Recipes

Whats Cookin Italian Style Cuisine said...

those look really good!

MaryMoh said...

Looks very delicious. Just what I need now with a cup of hot coffee.

Olive said...

These are really yummy-looking bars. I love SK too :)

..maybe that lady driver there was really hungry or needed to use the bathroom fast or.. I don't know really, why some people behave like that..

Nicole said...

these looks great and you could make them with frozen fruit when fresh isn't avaliable!

Simply Life said...

Oh wow, those look soooo good!

Miranda said...

I love crumb bars and these look incredible.
Thanks so much for sharing such a great recipe and pictures.

TasteHongKong said...

Sometimes foods could be therapeutic, especially delicious foods. With these lovely crumble bars, you must have defeated all the unhappiness.

Andrea@WellnessNotes said...

These bars look and sound delicious! I wish I could have one right now...

Jessie said...

great crumble bars, they look so delicious!

Divina Pe said...

That's quite a story you have. :) But the bars look really good. It's good to have them with some of the ladies with a pot of tea catching up on each other. :)

Diana Bauman said...

What beautiful crumb bars!

CheapAppetite said...

I LOVE the ending of your story. So funny. I laugh my a-- off. lol. The berry crumble bar looks great too. Great post lululu.

Buckeroomama said...

I'll have to give these berry crumble bars a try.. They sound and look yummy! :)

ann low said...

What a beautiful crumble bar!! Hope can try some :)

Kana said...

Great bars! Looking forward to reading your delicious posts via Twitter!

Southern Grace Gourmet said...

The recipe looks so delicious! As for the crazy lady, I just took the new attitude of laughing at people, you cant reason with morons, or make people nice. My son is 2 now, and has started sharing, and when someone doesn't want to take what he's offering he gets very mad! I keep telling him, you cant make people nice! Lots of people are mean and ignorant and you have to just ignore them to keep your sanity.

Momrempel said...

This looks totally yummy!

I found you on MBC and now following:)

Family Cuisine Food And Recipe said...

Yummy ! Thank you for sharing. Cheers !

koralee said...

Just found your lovely blog...and so excited you are a girl that lives very close to me...I just had to leave you a comment and say how wonderful these berry crumble bars look...and I am going to give them a try! My girls will love you!

janet said...

Those look delicious!

Peggy said...

YUMMY!YUMMY!YUMMY!
I love to try them.

Tasty Eats At Home said...

Yummy! I love how you tell this story, and then..."so I made these berry crumble bars!" Funny. :)

Belinda @Zomppa said...

Haha! =) Great story - great bars!!!!!!!!!!!!! I would love one right now....

Cathie said...

they look great, looking forward to trying them, thanks!

pierre said...

i love thoise bars they look great !! thanks for the sharing ! and if you want to make a trip to the Parisian cuisine come and visit me I will be happy to welcome you cheers Pierre

Table Talk said...

Still catching up on my posts for the week.--I saved this one, as the "crumble" caught my eye...glad I saved it---these bars looks like it would be perfect with a warm cup of coffee!