St. Gregory's Cherries (Crisp)

Legend has it that on St. Mark's Feast Day, St. Gregory the Great, when he was the pope, suddenly had a great craving for cherries. The servants and gardeners were puzzled at what to do, since the cherry trees, which were plentiful, were just in bloom. As the legend goes, one gardener, in search of cherries, was visited by St. Mark in a cloud of fire, and asked why he was in such a state. When St. Mark heard the story about Pope Gregory, he gave a blessing upon one cherry tree, and it was suddenly covered with ripe, red cherries. In gratitude, it is said that the pope "wolfed down a bellyful."

And still today St. Gregory the Great is associated with cherries, and what better way to pass on the legend than to enjoy a dish of cherries? This dessert recipe is just about as easy a recipe as you will find. It calls for Bisquick and a can of pie filling, so I call it a "cheater" recipe, but it's very good, nevertheless. Top it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or even just a few tablespoons of half & half, and you have a dessert worthy of the legend. You can make this recipe with any flavor pie filling, but of course we will use cherries on St. Gregory's Feast.

This would be a good dessert to enjoy on St. Mark's Feast Day, as well, as even today the pope will enjoy a cherry dessert on his feast day to remember St. Gregory's craving.

Cherry Crisp
serves 6

1 can cherry pie filling (or any other fruit)
1 ¼ cup Bisquick
½ cup sugar
½ t. cinnamon
1 egg
¼ cup melted butter


Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Pour fruit in 8 x 8 pan. Mix Bisquick, sugar and cinnamon. Beat egg and pour over Bisquick mixture and mix until crumbly. Sprinkle over fruit. Pour melted butter over dry mix. Bake 25 minutes. Serve warm or room temperature with ice cream or cream.

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