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Strawberries with Cream and Chocolate

Here's a dessert that doesn't ask much of you but gives plenty back: fresh strawberries nestled in whipped cream, tucked inside flaky puff pastry, and finished with a drizzle of dark chocolate. Simple, elegant, and just the thing when strawberries are at their best. Ingredients For 4 people 12 large strawberries. 1/2 sheet of rectangular puff pastry. 400g heavy cream for whipping (35% fat). 60g powdered sugar for whipping the cream. 75g dark chocolate (I use Nestlé Postres). 40g heavy cream (35% fat). 1 egg yolk beaten with a few drops of water. Powdered sugar for dusting. Preparation Preheat your oven to 180°C. Start by baking the puff pastry. Use a pastry cutter to cut out 4 rectangles and arrange them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper... Brush the tops with the egg wash and slide the tray into the oven. Bake until the pastry turns golden and puffs up beautifully, about 8 to 10 minutes... Once they've cooled completely, use the ...

Melon Cream with Prawns and Ham


This is a wonderful starter that barely requires turning on the stove at all!



Ingredients

for 6 people
  • 1 large melon (around 2kg or more, unpeeled).
  • salt.
  • freshly ground black pepper.
  • thinly sliced Iberian ham.
  • peeled prawns.

Preparation

Peel the melon and scoop out the seeds. Use a melon baller to make 8 balls for garnishing later (this is optional), then set them aside. Blend the rest of the melon flesh until smooth. Add salt to taste and pop the bowl in the fridge to chill.
Blanch the peeled prawns in boiling salted water for about two minutes, then quickly cool them under cold running water. Keep them in the fridge until you're ready to serve.
When it's time to eat, ladle the cold melon soup into individual bowls. Add a light sprinkle of black pepper, and top each serving with the melon balls, prawns, and a few slices of ham.

Have a lovely summer!

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