Strawberry Fool

adapted from That Skinny Kid Can Bake

Serves: 4

6 ounces strawberries, hulled and medium dice

1/4 cup plus 1 Tablespoon sugar, divided

Pinch of salt

1/4 tsp finely grated lemon zest

3/4 tsp fresh squeezed lemon juice

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/4 tsp vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract

Fresh strawberries and mint for garnish, optional

Cook the diced strawberries, sugar and salt in a small saucepan, stirring occasionally until the mixture starts to simmer. Add the lemon zest and lemon juice. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook for two minutes. Remove the pan from the heat. Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature and then chill it in the refrigerator until cold.

Once the berries are cold, whip the heavy cream until soft peaks form. Add vanilla and the remaining Tablespoon of sugar and beat until stiff peaks form.

Reserve about 2 Tablespoons of berries. Fold the remaining berries into the whipped cream.

Divide the mixture between four serving dishes. Add a few teaspoons of berries on top of each serving. Garnish with fresh berries and mint, if desired.

NOTE:

1) If you desire additional berries so that you can layer it in a serving dish, you may wish to double the strawberry and sugar mixture.

2) For four people I would suggest increasing the recipe by one half.