MIDWEEK PUDDING

Make the most of juicy, seasonal berries in this quick dessert and turn to page 95 for another great idea to use up a glut

Our creamy cheat’s strawberry mousse

Quick cheat’s strawberry mousse

This sweet treat ticks all the boxes: it’s fruity, creamy and very easy to make. A silky mascarpone and strawberry layer is complemented by a tangy compote, crunchy ginger biscuits and pistachios.

SERVES 4-5 PREP 20 mins COOK 5 mins EASY V

500g strawberries, hulled and

halved, any larger ones quartered 1 lemon, zested and juiced 100g caster sugar

150ml mascarpone

300ml double cream

1 tbsp vanilla bean paste

To serve

4 gingernut biscuits, crushed small handful of pistachios, roughly

chopped (optional) freeze-dried strawberries,

crushed (optional)

1 Put the strawberries, lemon juice, sugar and 2 tbsp water in a large pan over a medium heat and cook for 5 mins until the fruit has softened. Scrape into a bowl leave to cool. Tip 300g of the mixture into a blender (reserve the rest for later), blitz until smooth and sieve into a jug.

2 Whisk the mascarpone in a large bowl to soften, then add the double cream, vanilla bean paste and lemon zest, and whisk again until just starting to thicken. Fold in the blitzed, sieved strawberry purée to combine – it will thicken a bit more. Alternatively, swirl it through so you have layers of compote going through the mousse.will keep chilled for up to a day. 3 Spoon or pipe the mousse into glass tumblers and top with the reserved strawberry compote, the gingernut crumbs, pistachios and dried strawberries, if you like.

GOOD TO KNOW folate • vit c • 1 of 5-a-day •

gluten free

PER SERVING (5) 553 kcals • fat 46g • saturates 29g •

carbs 30g • sugars 30g • fibre 4g • protein 3g •

salt 0.1g