Couer a la Creme with Strawberries

Couer a la Creme with Strawberries

Strawberries, sugar and cream... the perfect dessert for lovers

I am fortunate to have a flourishing strawberry patch that produces sweet, flavoursome fruit

Couer a la Creme looks romantic, to my mind, even before it is served

'Thou shalt not wash dishes, nor yet feed the swine... [but] feast upon strawberries, sugar and cream'.

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Curly Locks! Curly Locks! wilt thou be mine?

Thou shalt not wash dishes, nor yet feed the swine,

But sit on a cushion and sew a fine seam,

And feast upon strawberries, sugar and cream.

Curly Locks! Curly Locks! wilt thou be mine?

The throb of my heart is in every line...

Curly Locks
-James Whitcomb Riley 1949-1916

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Flicking through the chapter on Strawberries in Jane Grigson's 1971 classic Good Things, I am reminded of how fortunate I am to 'live near a strawberry field and ... pick the best strawberries available'. Indeed, Peter and I have a flourishing strawberry patch and we have been picking a bowlful of sweet, flavoursome fruit daily. And with James Whitcomb Riley's poem in mind, we will feast upon strawberries, sugar and cream on Valentine's Day, the perfect dessert for lovers. Mwah!

COUER A LA CREME*
1 cup cream
1/3 cup vanilla infused caster sugar
250g smooth low fat ricotta cheese
strawberries, to serve
strawberry coulis, to serve

Whip the cream and sugar together until peaks form and the cream is thick. Fold in the ricotta and mix until smooth. Line the ceramic moulds with damp muslin. Spoon the cream mixture into the moulds and smooth the tops. Place the moulds on a tray and refrigerate overnight, allowing the cream to drain. To serve, turn out the cream and scatter with strawberries and a drizzle of coulis. Serves 4. 

Note: * My own original recipe. Muslin and ceramic moulds are available from kitchenware stores, I note that Herbie's also sells muslin. The muslin squares can be hand washed and used again.

'Little white china hearts... make a good summer birthday present'. Jane Grigson, Good Things, 1971

A few simple ingredients: cream, vanilla-infused caster sugar and low fat smooth ricotta

Whip the cream and sugar together until peaks form. Fold in the ricotta and mix until smooth.

Spoon the cream mixture into the lined moulds and smooth the tops, refrigerate overnight

'If you live near a strawberry field, you will be able to buy the best strawberries available, freshly picked...'. Jane Grigson on Strawberries, Good Things 1971

Happy Valentine's Day dear readers xox