Allyson Gofton - Don’t Be A Gooseberry

Fools are an old fashioned dessert, one that need revitalising. Created from sweetened whipped cream swirled with fruit, fools can also have custard swirled in. They are best served chilled.

Recipe:
Gooseberry And Elderflower Fool With Praline
Gooseberries are in season for a very short time. But their flavour is delicious, especially with their classic partner - elderflower.

Serves: 6-8

Ingredients:
500 grams fresh gooseberries, or use frozen and defrosted gooseberries
¼ cup elderflower cordial
1 cup caster sugar
3 eggs
1¾ cups whole milk
300 ml cream, chilled

Praline:
¼ cup blanched almonds
½ cup sugar
¼ cup water

Method:

1. Place the gooseberries, elderflower cordial and ¼ cup of the sugar into a saucepan and poach very gently for 10 minutes until soft. Rub the cooked gooseberries through a sieve and leave the puree to cool.
2. In a bowl, beat the remaining sugar with the eggs. Heat the milk until just below boiling point and pour slowly onto the eggs, stirring all the time. Stand the bowl over a saucepan of boiling water and stir constantly over a low heat until thickened. Remove the bowl and leave the custard to cool.
3. Whip the cream until it just holds a peak. Fold the cold custard into the cold gooseberry puree and add the cream only until mixed. Divide between individual glasses and refrigerate for up to a couple of hours if wished. Serve garnished with praline.
   
   Praline:
4. Bake the almonds at 180ºC for 10 minutes or until they are just lightly toasted. Cool a little and then chop coarsely. Sprinkle the almonds on a baking paper-lined tray and keep them close together.
5. Stir in the sugar and water together in a saucepan and stir over a low heat until the sugar is dissolved. Stop stirring and then bring to the boil and boil rapidly until the mixture turns a golden toffee colour.
6. Pour the toffee immediately over the almonds and leave to set. When cold break into pieces and chop with a heavy knife.

    

Cook's tips:

• Elderflower cordial is prepared from wild elderflowers gathered in Canterbury. Addmore Products make elderflower cordial and it is available in selected supermarkets and delicatessens. It makes a refreshing summer drink as well as being a perfect partner for gooseberries.