Ingredients

• 1/3 cup plus 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon peel
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 teaspoons dried lavender blossoms*
• 3 1-pound containers strawberries, hulled, sliced
• Crème fraîche or sour cream

Instructions

1. Mash 1/3 cup sugar and lemon peel in small bowl to blend well. (Lemon sugar can be made 3 days ahead. Cover and store at room temperature.)
2. Bring 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup water, honey, and lavender to boil in heavy small saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until lavender flavor is pronounced, about 3 minutes. Strain syrup into small bowl. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and let stand at room temperature. Rewarm syrup before continuing.)
3. Place berries in large bowl. Pour warm syrup over berries; stir to coat. Divide berries and syrup among 8 bowls. Spoon crème fraîche over berries, sprinkle with lemon sugar, and serve immediately.
4. *Available at natural foods stores and some farmers' markets.