Friday, August 24, 2007

Strawberry Delight

Strawberries here have been extremely cheap, sweet, flavoursome and juicy, and I find myself going back to the fruit and vegies shop for more. The kids love them in their lunch boxes, they taste superb on their own and are really good for you.However, I was inspired to make something nice with them today, just to make life more interesting! So I looked up my good old Margaret Fulton Encyclopedia of Food and Cookery and found this recipe which is tried and true in our household. It looks and tastes great, and yet simple to make. I love having it with a cup of Chai Latte for afternoon tea, mmmmm! You can temporarily forget about calculating the calories for this one.Below is the recipe, hope you will get time to make one, have a lovely weekend, my dear blogging friends!Continental Strawberry Shortcake

Shortcake Pastry:
2 cups plain flour;
pinch of salt;
185g (6 oz) butter, melted;
5 tbsp icing sugar, sifted;
2 eggyolks;
few drops vanilla.

Filling:
2 punnets (500g/1 lb) strawberries;
1 cup whipped cream;
2 tbsp icing sugar, sifted (optional, or use less, like 2 tsp);
few drops vanilla.

(1) Sift flour and salt into a large bowl and make a well in centre. Place remaining pastry ingredients in well and mix to a dough. Shape into a ball, wrap in plastic wrap and chill 30 minutes.

(2) Divide dough in half and roll or pat out to two rounds, about 23mm(9inch) in diameter and 5mm (1/4 inch) thick. Place rounds on baking dish lined with baking/ greaseproof paper. Prick all over with a fork. Bake in a preheated oven at 190 degrees C (375F) for 15-20 minutes or until pastry is a pale biscuit colour. Do not allow to brown. Remove from oven and while pastry is warm, cut one round into 8 segments. Cool pastry.

(3) Reserve 8 unhulled strawberries for decoration. Hull and slice remainder. Whip cream with icing sugar (if using) and vanilla. Mix with strawberry slices. Place whole pastry round on a serving plate and cover with strawberry and cream mixture. Smooth over and arrange 8 pastry segments on top. Dust with icing sugar and decorate with unhulled strawberries. I dust the strawberries with icing sugar too to give them that "snowed on" look. Enjoy!

Out in the garden, the roses are not ready to flower yet, but other plants are definitely starting to bring Spring to this side of the globe.

8 comments:

Unknown said...

I too find beautiful, fresh, red strawberries very irresistable. You could never have enough! Your strawberry shortcake looks soooo good...I wish I was there to share in this delicious creation. And what a lovely setting and photo...I think you have been playing ladies again! A garden bursting into flower is always a pleasure to behold. I can really see you have a green thumb.
A great week to you,
Angela.

Leisa said...

Your afternoon tea look delicious - I think you should invite us over!! Loving the pictures of your garden.

Jen Kershner said...

That cake looks delectable. I must try it. Thank you so much for sharing the recipe! Thank you also for the nice matters award. You were so sweet to think of me. I am just horrible about passing these things on! Jen

Elzie said...

So many lovely pictures.
Elzie

Kelley - a very JunqueyGal! said...

That is the most beautiful pastry ever! Such beauty!

Anonymous said...

Your photos are so lovely, and the strawberries look delicious.

Strawberries here are expensive at the moment as they come from Queensland. I am looking forward to the local season beginning. Yum.

FrenchGardenHouse said...

What a beautiful post! And so delicious, too! Everything looks so divine....I wish I could come for a cup of Chai tea.

I am glad that spring is starting for all of you, Australian girls! I know it's something you look forward to...the flowers (roses) and the sun.

Happy week to you!
Lidy

Lori said...

Wow! I just came across your site and the roses are breath-taking! And your puppy is adorable. Will visit again, stop by to see me too! I also love the color pink which says alot in itself! Have a rosy week, Lori