Event: Sunday Funday
Theme: Desserts
Recipe: Strawberries And Cream
Strawberries And Cream, is a simple but absolutely tasty way of enjoying fresh succulent strawberries when in season. Just 4 ingredients and this dessert comes together in a jiffy. It is the ultimate summertime dessert.
History Behind Strawberries And Cream
Strawberries and Cream is not only the ideal combination but a classic dessert or pudding as the British like to call it. Strawberries have existed for years but how did this combination of fruit and cream become so famous?
The story goes that Cardinal Thomas Wolsey was a powerful figure in the court of King Henry VIII. He began building Hampton Court which had the largest kitchen during the Tudor era. It is believed that it was responsible for serving food to about 600 guests twice a day. No wonder the chefs must have thought of creating simple desserts. Strawberries and Cream was one such dessert. The chef’s name is unknown therefore the Cardinal gets the credit of creating a simple, refreshing dessert.
British summertime epitomizes two things, strawberries and cream and Wimbledon. How it got introduced at the annual Wimbledon Tennis Tournament is a bit hazy but its believed that strawberries were in season in mid July for a short period. Without refrigeration facilities back then, the combination was a trend during the Victorian times (though introduced during the Tudor era) and was considered a luxury item to enjoy. Wimbledon and Strawberries and Cream both epitomize luxury.
Memories
Growing up, one of the desserts available at some of the very “British Style” restaurants was Strawberries and Cream. That was like a rich, rich, rich treat for us back then. When strawberries became available at our local greengrocers, my aunt and I would prepare it for Saturday Dessert Night whenever possible. So quick, easy to make and yummy. I helped her to whip the cream. Back then we didn’t use electrical whisks or beaters. And who had heard of balloon whisks back then. It was the faithful egg beater that was used.
By the way, I actually wanted to buy one as my old one is all rusted and doesn’t work at all. However, that mechanical egg beater is even more costlier than an electrical hand blender!
By the time the sugar added to the strawberries melts, a lovely red syrup forms. And I use to love drizzling that syrup over the dessert.
Present Day
With summer comes loads of berries including strawberries. A childhood memory, I make it as often as possible. For Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee, while my UK family was busy partying, attending functions, watching the whole pageantry on telly I had to be content with Strawberries And Cream. In my small way of celebration I made it for hubby and me to enjoy.
Small town Magog, didn’t have any signs of celebrating the Jubilee. Anyway, Quebec always shies away from anything English so I guess why should they celebrate. However, for me it a bit of a strange connection. First being that all my side of the family has been residing in UK for over 40 years. In fact my aunt and her family have been there for nearly 50 years. Secondly, when I was younger, we still had quite a bit of the British way of life and etiquette in Kenya. Kenya got its independence from the British Empire in 1963. But now things are different. I grew up in an era where minding our Ps and Qs was important.
I lamented to my daughter that I wish I had a Platinum Jubilee souvenir to use as a prop but couldn’t find any in the shops here. She replied, Mum, you should have checked on Amazon! You get everything there”. And that is so true.
Sunday Funday
By the way, Sunday Funday is a group of Food Bloggers. Every Sunday we share some fun, traditional, hearty or easy recipes to make Sunday Family Meals a bit more exciting. To join this fun group, visit the Sunday Funday Facebook Page. Request to join in.
Theme: Desserts
Sneha who blogs at Sneha’s Recipe suggested we “bring in our desserts to celebrate fellow member Rebekah’s Birthday”. I am celebrating the Queen’s Jubilee and Rebekah’s birthday with the classic Strawberries and Cream dessert. But before we get to the recipe, why don’t you check out some more recipes using strawberries on my blog and also what other members have prepared to celebrate.
This post was first published 30/10/2014. As I took fresh photos of the dessert, decided to update this post for the theme.
Check Out Some More Strawberry Recipes:
Try out homemade Strawberry Frozen Yogurt
What Desserts Have Fellow Members Prepared? Let Us Check Them Out:
Alle Balle Recipe by The Mad Scientists Kitchen
Berry Galette by Karen’s Kitchen Stories
Bread Rasmalai by Sneha’s Recipe
Classic Eton Mess by Food Lust People Love
Patriotic Jello Bars by A Day in the Life on the Farm
Strawberry Glaze Pie by Palatable Pastime
Strawberries And Cream by Mayuri’s Jikoni
Whisky Barrel Cake by Amy’s Cooking Adventures
Some Dos and Don’ts
- Please please please, do not use those non dairy, canned whipping creams. Makes the classic dessert taste so unclassy.
- Use fresh whipping cream or also known as double cream. Whip till it forms soft peaks. Lift the whisk up, and it should leave a peak. If you over whip the cream it will separate into fat and whey.
- Chop the strawberries the way you like, slices or quarters.
- The below recipe is just a rough guidance, add more strawberries or more cream if you want to.
- Now should you whip the cream or not? Well, we as a family prefer whipped cream but some do serve it with pouring cream. Use whichever way you prefer.
- Go off the path and add a bit of your favourite liqueur to the strawberries along with the sugar. Allow the strawberries to marinate in it.
- Top the dessert with chopped nuts, dark chocolate for a change. Sometimes we just like to have it without any topping.
Ingredients Required For Strawberries And Cream
- Fresh Strawberries – washed, wiped, hulled and cut into slices or quarters.
- Whipping Cream – double cream, best to use fresh dairy cream.
- Sugar – add according to your taste. Can replace it with honey or maple syrup.
- Vanilla Bean or Extract – if you have vanilla bean use that, gives a delicious taste and is so aromatic.
- Alcohol – optional. Can add Grand Manier, Cointreau, etc to the strawberries.
STRAWBERRIES AND FRESH CREAM
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh strawberries 250g
- 2-3 tsp granulated sugar
- ½ cup whipping cream chilled
- ½ tsp vanilla extract or vanilla seeds from 1 small vanilla bean
Instructions
- Wash and hull the strawberries. Cut them into halves or quarters.
- Add sugar to the strawberries and mix well.
- Cover and leave in the fridge till required.
- Add chilled cream and vanilla in a big bowl.
- Whip the fresh cream till it fluffy and forms soft peaks.
- Spoon the strawberries into a serving bowl.
- Top with fresh cream and serve.
Notes
- Add a bit of powdered sugar, about 1-2 tsp to the cream before whipping it if you prefer sweeter desserts.
- Add a dash of your favourite liqueur to the strawberries. I like to add Cointreau or Grand Manier.(about 2 oz).
- Use pouring cream if you don't want to serve whipped cream.
- Top it up with chopped nuts, dark chocolate chips, fresh mint, etc.
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A little request:
If you do try this recipe then please either
- add a comment below,
- send a picture to my email mayuri.ajay.patel62@gmail.com
- tag me as #mayuri_jikoni on Instagram
- or tag me on Twitter as #Mayuri1962