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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 ...

Ham and Asparagus Bundles with Pistachios


ingredients

for 4 people
  • 16 fresh green asparagus spears
  • 8 thin slices of cured ham
  • two Conference pears
  • raw pistachios

for the vinaigrette:

  • one tablespoon of caramelized balsamic vinegar
  • one tablespoon of raspberry jam
  • six or seven tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
  • salt
  • freshly ground black pepper

preparation

To make the vinaigrette: put all the ingredients in a bowl...
and whisk everything together with a hand whisk until it's nicely emulsified. Set this aside.
- Using a sharp knife, chop the pistachios into small pieces — don't worry about making them too fine.
- Cook the asparagus in a pot of boiling salted water.
- When they're just tender — you want them with a bit of bite still — drain them and set aside to cool down.
- Take two asparagus spears at a time and wrap them snugly with a slice of ham.
- Peel the pears, cut out the core and seeds, then slice each pear into four wedges.
- To plate up: arrange two ham-wrapped bundles on each plate along with two pear wedges, drizzle the vinaigrette over everything, and
scatter those chopped pistachios on top.

Enjoy!


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