Attack of the Mulberries

A few years ago, we discovered a mulberry tree growing in the fence line across the field. The mulberries were sweet, and delicious to eat right off the tree. So, the next spring, my husband took a cutting of the tree to plant in our yard. He lovingly tended it and watered it for a while. Then, one day, it fell victim to the lawn mower (ouch). We were crushed.

A few weeks later, we made a startling discovery: there were mulberry trees already in the yard. (I told you, we're city kids). One of the trees was at least 12 feet tall, and loaded down with fruit. There was another tree growing next to it, and one next to our old stone building, and behind the house. Now that I know what they look like, I see them everywhere! They're almost as bad as the purple coneflowers...


Here's my very own recipe for Berry Lemon Cobbler. The first time I made it, my husband wrinkled his nose...until he tried it. The tartness of the lemon plays perfectly off the sweetness of the mulberries.

Ingredients:
1 whole lemon
3 tbsp white sugar
2 1/2 - 3 cups berries
3/4 cup brown sugar (if using a tarter berry like blueberries, increase to 1 cup)
1 3/4 cup biscuit mix
3/4 cup milk
2 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup white sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Zest lemon into small bowl. Add 3 tbsp white sugar, stir to combine, and set aside.
Pour berries into 8 x 8 pan. (Berries should cover bottom of pan completely)
Sprinkle brown sugar evenly over berries
Squeeze remainder of lemon evenly over berry / sugar mix
Stir together biscuit mix, milk, vanilla, and 1/4 cup white sugar. Batter will be stiff.
Drop batter by the spoonful (a spring loaded ice cream scoop is perfect) over the berry / sugar mix in pan. You should have 10 - 12 spoonfuls.
Sprinkle lemon zest / sugar mix over the top of the batter.
Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes, or until golden brown.

Delicious served warm with whipped cream.