Food & Drink
Wednesday June 28 | 2017
tin, peel away the clingfilm, then carefully lift the cake off and transfer to a plate. Decorate the top with the small strawberries and piped chocolate hearts, if liked. To make chocolate hearts, melt 50g (2oz) dark chocolate in a bowl set over a saucepan of very gently simmering water. Spoon into a piping bag made of non-stick baking paper, snip off the tip, then pipe heart shapes over a sheet of non-stick baking paper set on a baking tray. Chill until set, then peel off the paper and add to the top of the cake when ready to serve. Cook’s tip Not a fan of marzipan? Then simply leave it out and spread the top of the cake with melted chocolate or dust with sifted icing sugar instead.
Recipes courtesy of www.seasonalberries.co.uk
stand the bowl in a saucepan of just simmering water and heat until the gelatine has dissolved and become a clear liquid. Whisk the cream until it forms soft swirls in a bowl then fold in the custard. Gradually fold in the dissolved gelatine in a thin steady stream, then pour the custard mix over the strawberries in the tin and chill for 10 minutes until just setting. Add the second cake half to the tin and press lightly into the custard. Gently spread the apricot glaze or jam over the top of the cake. Knead and roll out the marzipan on a piece of non-stick baking paper then cut into a heart, using the cake tin as a guide. Lift over the top of the cake and press into place with fingertips dusted with icing sugar. Chill for at least 4 hours. When ready to serve, unclip the sides of the
FEATURES
ACE DRINKS FOR WIMBLEDON Follow James Viner on Twitter @QuixoticWine Austin’s Summer Punch, England (£6.99, Aldi, 1l) – Bargain, gin-based, citrusy lookalike rival to Pimm’s If you like Pimm’s, you’ll love this – plus it’s in a litre format and great value for money. Based on a quintessentially British recipe, this blend is the perfect drink for Wimbledon. Game, set and match! Serve the traditional way with ice-cold lemonade, chopped cucumber, strawberries, oranges and a sprig of mint. Muscat Carte Or Beaumes de Venise NV, France (£7.99, Waitrose) – French muscat for strawberries with cream If you’re looking for a treat to enhance a fruit dessert (or blue cheese), consider this luscious, floral, fruity and finely-tuned Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise made from Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains grapes that have undergone a slow and cool fermentation. This stylish vin doux naturel displays a delightful grape-like freshness and orange-blossom lift, and would also play a very happy Wimbledon doubles match with a bowl of strawberries and cream.
Veuve Clicquot White Label DemiSec Champagne, France (£42.42, The Drink Shop; £44.50, Ocado) – A sensational seasonal sparkler What to drink with strawberries if served plain and unadorned? A lovely glass of Champagne. Displaying all the hallmarks of their classic Brut Yellow Label, but with a higher dosage, which softens the natural acidity, this is a magnificent match for fruity desserts, especially strawberries without cream. Presenting a mouthwatering mix of candied peach, honey and brioche flavours, this refreshing bubbly has a crisp, fresh finish. Moscato d’Asti Elio Perrone 2016 DOCG, Italy (£8.25, The Wine Society) – Chic, gently fizzy and lightly sweet Italian dessert nectar For easy sipping on languid summer mid-afternoons and early evenings, a glass of this classy, gently sweet, gently fizzy, low-alcohol Moscato d’Asti is a budget alternative to demi-sec Champagne. With its teasing, prickling fizz and vivid summer meadow, peach, floral and lustrous grapey aromatics and flavours, this invigorating Piedmontese take on muscat would happily handle a fruit salad or bowl of strawberries served plain with a little sugar.
63