April (Strawberry) Fool
A fool is an old English dessert consisting of pureed fruit, sugar, and whipped cream. Traditionally, a fool is made with gooseberries, apples, or raspberries. Here’s our springtime strawberry version of the recipe:
INGREDIENTS
- 2 C. Strawberries, Sliced
- ½ C. Granulated Sugar
- Strawberry Balsamic Vinegar
- 1 tsp. Vanilla Extract, Bourbon Island or Vanilla Paste
- 1 C. Heavy Whipping Cream
DIRECTIONS
- Combine sliced strawberries in a bowl with the sugar and vinegar and allow to macerate for at least a half hour until juicy.
- Mash strawberries with a pastry blender or potato masher. Pureeing with a blender or food processor is not advised, since that would liquefy the fruit. You want the sugary fruit mixture to be chunky-textured.
- In a separate mixing bowl, combine whipping cream and vanilla. Using an electric mixer and whisk attachment, whisk at highest speed until whipped cream is light and fluffy, about 2 min.
- Gently fold strawberry mixture into whipped cream. Spoon into parfait glasses, and refrigerate at least one hour before serving.
- Yield: about 4 desserts
RECIPE TIPS
- If using very tart fruits like gooseberries, or fruits that require pre-cooking, like rhubarb, stew the fruit. Use more sugar, and heat the fruit-sugar combination with a quarter cup water in saucepan on the stove, and simmer until fruit is cooked and soft. Allow to cool at least 1 hour before moving on to next step.
- Any other fruity balsamic like Mango White Balsamic Vinegar, Peach White Balsamic Vinegar, , or Raspberry Balsamic Vinegar would work well.
Have you made this recipe? Share your experience with us in the comments below.
