Mansikkalumi Finnish Strawberry Snow Food

STRAWBERRY SNOW

Steps:

• Sprinkle the gelatin over the water and allow to soften for 5 minutes.
• Heat 1 cup crushed strawberries to the boiling point, add the gelatin and stir until dissolved.
• Chill until the mixture begins to set around the edges of the bowl.
• Whip the egg whites until soft peaks form and gradually whip in the sugar.
• Fold into the strawberry mixture, then add the remaining crushed strawberries and whipped cream.
• Serve immediately in individual glass dishes and decorate each serving with a whole strawberry.
• Note: This dessert may also be served frozen. Pour the mixture into freezer trays and freeze.

MANSIKKALUMI - FINNISH STRAWBERRY "SNOW"

Steps:

• Combine whipping cream and vanilla extract, then chill for 15 minutes (or more) in the refrigerator.
• Mash or blend strawberries into a purée. Whip together the strawberry purée and egg whites until light and frothy, gradually adding baker's sugar (note: the mixture will triple in volume).
• Whip the chilled cream until stiff peaks form. Gently fold whipped cream into the strawberry purée mixture.
• Pour into dessert bowls or glasses, garnish with fresh strawberries, and serve immediately (can be refrigerated for up to two hours).

STRAWBERRY SNOW

Steps:

• Puree strawberries in a food processor or blender.
• Combine strawberry puree, egg whites and sugar in a bowl and beat until stiff and glossy.
• Add vanilla to cream, and whip mixture until peaks form.
• Gently fold cream mixture into strawberry mixture.
• Spoon into a serving bowl and garnish with strawberry slices and mint (if desired).
• Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until you are ready to serve.
• This can be made a day ahead. Good luck keeping everyone else in the house out of it.
• Note: A recent reviewer had trouble getting the mixture to set like a pudding. I should have stated that this recipe does not work if you beat the egg whites separately. The strawberry puree, egg whites and sugar need to be beaten together for this to work properly. I know this only because I tried it the other way once by mistake.