Berry Fool Food

BLACKBERRY FOOL

Steps:

• In a blender, combine berries, sugar, and lemon juice; blend until smooth. Pour mixture through a fine-mesh sieve, pressing with a rubber spatula to push through. Discard seeds; transfer 1/2 cup berry puree to a small bowl. Cover and refrigerate; reserve for topping.
• In a large bowl, combine cream and vanilla; whip until stiff peaks form. Gently fold remaining berry puree into cream. Spoon mixture into custard cups. Cover loosely and refrigerate 1 hour (or up to overnight). To serve, drizzle blackberry fools with reserved berry puree, and garnish with blackberries.

BERRY-CHOCOLATE FOOLS

Steps:

• Toss 1 quart quartered strawberries with 2 tablespoons granulated sugar in a bowl. Beat 1 cup heavy cream with 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar until soft peaks form. Melt 2 ounces finely chopped semisweet chocolate in the microwave and cool slightly; fold into the whipped cream. Layer the cream and berries in glasses.

COCONUT CHERRY BERRY FOOL

Steps:

• Put the cherries in a saucepan with the pomegranate or cherry juice and bring to a simmer. Cook gently for 10 mins until the fruit is tender. Add the sugar, lemon juice and brandy (if using), then simmer again for 10 mins until the liquid becomes a little thicker and syrupy. Leave to cool - if you want to do this quickly, pour the mixture into a metal roasting tin.
• Put the yogurt, cream and icing sugar in a large bowl and whip until thick but not stiff.
• Put half the cherries and their syrup in a blender or processor and pulse until very smooth. Ripple this through the cream and yogurt. Crumble the macaroons and add one-third to 4 glasses or bowls. Spoon some of the fool on top, and add some of the remaining cherries. Repeat the layers, and finish with more crumbled macaroons. Serve with extra macaroons on the side, if you like.

BLACKBERRY FOOL

Steps:

• Place the blackberries in a medium bowl and sprinkle with the granulated sugar, then drizzle with the vanilla. Toss lightly to evenly coat. Allow to steep for 10 minutes, then mash the blackberries until they release their juices and form a thick pulp.
• Combine the heavy cream and confectioners' sugar in another medium bowl. Use an electric stand or hand mixer or whisk to whip the cream to medium peaks. (When you lift the beater or whisk, the cream should hold a peak for a moment.)
• Pour the berry mixture over the cream and use a rubber spatula to gently fold until combined. You can leave streaks of the berry mixture or completely incorporate it. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate for up to 1 day. To serve, scoop into glasses or dishes and top with cookies if desired.