WHEN THE STRAWBERRIES BECKON

When they call to you from the little green tubs, fridge-a-dare or even from the freezer, their swan song loud and clear and you've already eaten handfuls and made smoothies and pies and jams . . . That's when you plunk them into the world's most simple pound cake and enjoy them at a slower pace. Like a perfect black dress, the plain cake is a great foil for just a few jewels. Studded with marvel, each bite has a little red gooeyness. Awh, the tastes of summer. They are so divine.

Easiest Pound Cake
Preheat oven to 375 degrees, lightly grease and flour any old pan

Ingredients:
1 stick of butter, melted
3/4 c sugar
1 tsp vanilla
3 eggs
1 c flour
generous pinch of salt
a handful of strawberries

Method:
melt the butter and set aside. Whisk eggs with the sugar and vanilla until uniform. While whisking, stream the butter into the egg/sugar mixture. Once this is mixed, add in the flour, a little at a time, along with the salt. Don't overmix. Pour batter into greased/floured baking pan and plunk a few berries into the velvety batter. Bake for approximately 25-30 minutes, until lightly golden, smells abound and a toothpick or knife come out clean. Serves about 4-6, depending on your whims and wants. Perfect with tea in the afternoon. A little whip cream or creme freche would not hurt this cake, I guarantee!