Chocolate strawberries and cream

For those following the air-conditioning dilemma there was a breakthrough. Around midday on Tuesday I had someone in to look at the problem. He works with his dad who is at least well into his 70s and by his estimate, our ancient unit was about 30 years old and 'a bit like me... well past retirement age.'

They were here for nearly 2 hours talking options for making us cool again and my blood pressure was rising thinking about the cost and envisioning us moving into the other side of the house for the summer. After they left I thought I'd give the AC one last go. I turned it on, shut all the bedroom doors and forgot about it. When Will came home, miracle of miracles.... our rooms were cool!

The old man still has a bit of life left in him. At least we will have a bit of time to save for the replacement. This dessert doesn't really need to be eaten in the air-con to be enjoyed. It's nice and cool all on its own.

A few weeks ago I had to create an egg-free dessert and my brain struggled. According to the egg-allergy-man recipes that are meant to have eggs and are adapted to not have eggs don't taste good (his words not mine). So I was at a loss. I didn't want a dud dessert so I turned to a classic combo - chocolate, strawberries and cream.

This probably doesn't warrant a recipe but it's one of those things you forget about until you see it. It ticks all the boxes - it's easy, quick and delicious and it has all the necessary dessert requirements - sweetness from the strawbs, crunch from the nuts, creaminess (you know where that comes from) and richness from the chocolate.

My chocolate sauce is a bit lighter than most made with chocolate and water instead of cream with just a bit of sugar to sweeten it.

If you like rich dark chocolate like I do then you could probably skip the sugar and just add a hint of vanilla. I have to admit, when I was pregnant I used to make up a little bit of chocolate sauce and pour it over strawberries for dessert.

Don't feel you have to stick to the 'recipe' either. Stack the glass with all sorts of berries if you like or for a festive twist - cherries. I was a bit stingy on the cream. I thought the container in the fridge was full. It wasn't. Oops. Enjoy!

What about you? Do you have any 'recipes' that aren't really recipes but are too good and easy not to share.

Recipe

Strawberries and cream

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Author: Claire Cameron

1x2x3x

Ingredients

• ▢ 150 g chocolate
• ▢ 80 g water
• ▢ ¼ cup icing sugar
• ▢ ½ teaspoon vanilla bean paste
• ▢ 1 cup cream cream
• ▢ ½ teaspoon vanilla bean paste
• ▢ 500 g strawberries chopped
• ▢ 3 tablespoon slivered almonds toasted

Instructions

• Place the chocolate, water, icing sugar and vanilla bean paste in a small saucepan and heat, stirring, until melted.
• Transfer to a jug and set aside.
• Whip the cream with the remaining vanilla bean paste.
• Layer the strawberries and cream into tall glasses and top with the chocolate sauce and almonds.
• Serve immediately.

Have you made this recipe? I'd love to hear what you think. Tag me on Instagram @clairekcreations