This recipe creates a light, airy, and delicious strawberry mousse. It’s a simple and elegant dessert that captures the fresh flavor of strawberries in a creamy and delicate texture, often topped with whipped cream and fresh berries for an extra touch.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (adjust to sweetness of berries)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon unflavored gelatin powder
- 2 tablespoons cold water
- 1 cup heavy cream, chilled
- Optional for garnish: Extra whipped cream, fresh strawberries, mint leaves
Instructions:
- Prepare Strawberry Puree: In a blender or food processor, combine the sliced strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice. Blend until smooth.
- Strain Puree (Optional): For an extra smooth mousse, you can strain the puree through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any seeds. Press down on the solids to extract as much liquid as possible.
- Bloom Gelatin: In a small bowl, sprinkle the unflavored gelatin powder over the cold water. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes to bloom (it will become thick and slightly cloudy).
- Heat Gelatin: Gently heat the bloomed gelatin in a microwave for about 15-20 seconds on low power, or in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring until it is completely dissolved and clear. Do not boil.
- Combine Gelatin and Puree: Gradually whisk the dissolved gelatin into the strawberry puree until well combined.
- Chill Puree Mixture: Place the strawberry puree mixture in the refrigerator and let it chill for about 20-30 minutes, or until it starts to slightly thicken but is not fully set. The edges should look a bit firmer than the center.
- Whip Heavy Cream: While the puree is chilling, whip the chilled heavy cream in a clean bowl using an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Be careful not to overwhip.
- Fold in Whipped Cream: Gently fold the whipped cream into the partially set strawberry puree in two or three additions. Use a light hand to maintain the airiness of the mousse. Continue folding until just combined and no streaks of whipped cream remain.
- Spoon into Serving Dishes: Spoon or pour the strawberry mousse evenly into individual serving glasses or a larger serving bowl.
- Chill to Set: Cover the serving dishes with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2-3 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the mousse to fully set.
- Garnish and Serve: Before serving, garnish the strawberry mousse with extra whipped cream, fresh strawberries, and mint leaves, if desired.
Tips and Notes:
- Strawberry Quality: Use ripe and flavorful strawberries for the best taste.
- Sugar Adjustment: Adjust the amount of sugar depending on the sweetness of your strawberries.
- Gelatin: Gelatin helps the mousse set properly. Make sure it is fully dissolved but not boiled.
- Chilling Time: Allow sufficient chilling time for the mousse to fully set.
- Whipped Cream: Ensure your heavy cream is well-chilled for it to whip properly.
- Variations: You can add a splash of liqueur (like Grand Marnier or Kirsch) to the strawberry puree for an adult twist.
- Vegan Option: For a vegan version, you can try using agar-agar as a setting agent and coconut cream (the thick solid part from a chilled can) as the base.
Enjoy this light and refreshing Strawberry Mousse!