Strawberry Mousse for Independence Day
(for mousse)
5 1/2 cups fresh strawberries
1/2 cup sugar
pinch salt
1 3/4 t unflavored gelatin
4 oz. cream cheese, cut into 8 pieces and softened
1/2 cup heavy cream, chilled
(for garnish)
1/2 cup heavy cream, chilled
blueberries and raspberries
>how to make<
(for mousse)
*Pulse strawberries in food processor in 2 batches until most pieces are 1/4" to 1/2" thick, 6 to 10 pulses.
*Transfer strawberries to bowl and toss with 1/4 cup sugar and salt.
*Cover bowl and let strawberries stand for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
*strain process strawberries through fine mesh strainer into bowl.(You should have about 2/3 cup juice.)
*Measure out 3 T juice into small bowl, sprinkle gelatin over juice, and let sit until gelatin softens, about 5 minutes.
*Place remaining juice in small saucepan and cook over medium high heat until reduced to 3 T , about 10 minutes.
*Remove pan from heat, add softened gelatin mixture, and stir until gelatin has dissolved.
*Add cream cheese and whisk until smooth.
*Transfer mixture to large bowl.
*While juice is reducing, return strawberries to processor and process until smooth, 15 to 20 seconds.
*Strain puree through fine mesh strainer into medium bowl, pressing on solids to remove seed and pulp. (Discard any solids in strainer.)
*Add strawberry puree to juice-gelatin mixture and whisk until incorporated.
*Using stand mixer fitted with whisk, whip cream on medium low speed until foamy, about 1 minute.
*Increase speed to high and whip until soft peaks form 1 to 3 minutes.
*Gradually add remaining 1/4 cup sugar and whip until stiff peaks form 1 to 2 minutes.
*Whisk whipped cream into strawberry mixture until no white streaks remain.
*Portion into dessert dishes and chill for at least 4 hours or up to 48 hours.
(for garnish)
*Whip heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
*Decorate blueberries and raspberries around whipped cream, and serve.
Note: I adapted the recipe from "Cook's Illustrated".
Labels: Independence Day dessert recipe, mousse recipe, strawberry mousse recipe