Back to Menu * Exported from MasterCook *   Strawberries and Chocolate Recipes Recipe By :Natalie Haughton, Los Angeles Daily News Serving Size : 0 Preparation Time :0:00 Categories : Desserts   Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method -------- ------------ --------------------------------   [see below] Top slices of a flourless chocolate cake or chocolate truffle cake (or even a store-bought chocolate pound cake) with sweetened strawberries (splashed with a dash of Grand Marnier or Chambord) and poufs of freshly whipped cream. Fill a chocolate angel food cake with strawberry mousse and frost with chocolate whipped cream for a luscious ending to a meal. Fresh whole strawberries skewered with other fresh fruits like melon, pineapple or banana pieces and drizzled with homemade hot fudge sauce are fast to turn out and taste terrific. To make a quick sauce, combine semisweet or bittersweet chocolate in a glass measuring cup with a little whipping cream or milk in the microwave oven just until chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth when stirred. Fill cream puffs or meringue shells with plan or chocolate whipped cream (or custard) and cut-up fresh berries; drizzle hot fudge or milk chocolate sauce over all. Spread a thin layer or chocolate ganache (chocolate melted with a little cream and butter) in a tart or pie shell (chocolate, graham cracker or shortbread). Once the chocolate is chilled and set, arrange whole fresh berries on top, pointed sides up. Brush with melted apricot, strawberry or raspberry jam, if desired. Refrigerate until serving time. Make chocolate napoleons by sandwiching together layers of frozen puff pastry dough, thawed and baked according to package directions, with chocolate mousse or chocolate pudding and thinly sliced fresh berries. Garnish top with drizzle of melted chocolate. Your favorite chocolate mousse, layered with cut-up berries in a stemmed glass or wine goblet, makes a yummy finale. For cheesecake lovers, top a chocolate chip or white chocolate cheesecake with dark or milk chocolate-dipped berries. Or serve slices of a chocolate cheesecake with strawberry sauce ladled over the top and alongside. For a really quick and tempting sweet, pick up your favorite flavor of chocolate ice cream or frozen yogurt and top scoops with whole or chopped berries and a little melted raspberry or strawberry jam or hot fudge sauce. Sprinkle with nuts, if desired. Gussy up creme brulee, rice pudding or tapioca with strawberry slices and chocolate sauce. Don't forget trifle. You can make a chocolate version almost instantly by layering slices of store-bought chocolate pound cake (or other chocolate cake) with layers of sweetened whipped cream zipped up with a little of your favorite liqueur and assorted fresh berries. Sometimes instead of using whipped cream for a filling, mix up a package of instant chocolate or vanilla pudding and pie mix with half the amount of milk called for -- and then fold in a cup of whipping cream, whipped. A chocolate soufflé topped with strawberry sauce or simply fresh berries and plenty of whipped cream is divine. If an easy pie is called for, whip up a package of instant chocolate pudding and pie filling mix (reduce the amount of milk called for to make sure the pie firms up) with sliced berries and bananas nestled in the middle. Drizzle slices with hot fudge sauce just before serving. For something cool in the drink department, whir up a shake with fresh berries that you've frozen ice cream and a little chocolate syrup (or swirl in some hot fudge topping and add some to the top). A two-layer chocolate cake baked from a mix is a good base for a festive berry dessert and a good choice with time at a premium. Spread on baked and cooled cake layer with whipped cream, either sweetened or unsweetened, and slices of fresh berries. Top with second layer and spread more whipped cream over tops and sides. Arrange whole berries pointed sides up, all over the top. Refrigerate until serving time. This is best made and served the same day. And of course, we couldn't forget chocolate strawberry shortcake -- either make your own chocolate version of the cake (substitute unsweetened cocoa powder for some of the flour in a standard recipe or look for a chocolate shortcake recipe) or use store-bought cakes or chocolate cookies and top with sweetened berries and whipped cream, either plain or with some cocoa powder and a splash of amaretto, rum or Grand Marnier folded in. Chocolate and Strawberries................... hard combination to beat! Description: "Team strawberries and chocolate -- two favorite flavors -- in dynamite desserts to welcome spring. Stunning looking and fabulous tasting creations are feasible with the juicy, red beauties and various shades and flavors of rich chocolate." Cuisine: "Strawberries" Source: "The Virginian-Pilot, May 2000"   - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - NOTES : MC formatted by Art Guyer Back to Menu Strawberry Central | Strawberry History | Strawberry Tips | Strawberry Recipes