Yes! Finally I'm on vacation in Cape Cod. I really was feeling the stress, physically and emotionally before I left. It's been a lovely few days of resting, relaxing, hot tubbing, laughing, knitting and COOKING! The subject of today's post is what mom and I made today: Chocolate Strawberry Shortcakes.
I found this
post/recipe via Pioneer Woman's blog and knew we had to try it! I sent it to my mom and she agreed...we started making our plans for this cooking extravaganza. I love me some chocolate and strawberries and well I would live on fresh whipped cream if I could. It is a perfect marriage of flavors and I couldn't wait to try it.
Today, being Labor Day..we labored in the kitchen. No, honestly this recipe is pretty easy...just uses a fair amount of dishes...
Mom wanted to make the WHOLE thing in the Kitchenaid stand mixer; I taught her the difference between the food processor (and the blade to really mix in the cold butter) and the stand mixer. She continues to learn, even as she is ready to start being insured by Medicare.
In went the dry ingredients...we gave them a little pulse and then added the butter and then the liquids...including coffee which really augments the chocolately goodness.
Then we shaped the batter into shortcake shaped fantabulousness and put them in the fridge to set for 30 minutes.
Parchment is king! With Finn looking on...
...into the oven they went
Meanwhile, we chopped up the berries and gave them a bath of Confectioners sugar and lemon juice...oh the berry goodness!
Then,it was time to make the Chantilly Cream...a sweeter version of whipped cream, made with Confectioners sugar, Heavy Whipping cream, Vanilla and a little LOVE. Into the STAND MIXER (now mom!) went the ingredients. Mom was also a little worried about getting the consistency right. The recipe called for "beating on high until stiff peaks are formed." Mom was worried if we beat TOO long we would end up with butter...yes, BUTTER (didnt know there was Confectioner's Sugar in butter, but that is another blog for another time).
Sweet stiff peaks...that's what she said.
And here it is! The finished product. There were four empty plates not long after.
I also made Bruschetta
This is nothing more than a combo ( to taste) of chopped tomatoes, basil, red onions, garlic, salt, pepper, balsamic vinegar and olive oil. This batch was good, but need a splash more of balsamic.
All in all, it was a good cooking day.
Finn gives his seal of approval:
