Strawberry Basil Mint Mousse Food

STRAWBERRY-BASIL MOJITOS

Steps:

• For the strawberry-basil puree: To make the simple syrup, heat the sugar and 2 cups water in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring as needed, until the sugar has completely dissolved. Set aside and allow to cool completely.
• Add half of the strawberries, lime juice and basil to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until you reach a consistency that makes you happy. I do 10 to 15 pulses, which leaves a good bit of texture. Transfer to a pitcher or container. Repeat with the other half and add to the same container. Pour in the room temperature simple syrup, mix and chill for at least 30 minutes.
• For the strawberry-basil mojitos: Pour 1/2 cup of the strawberry basil puree into each glass. Top with 2 ounces of your favorite light rum, add ice and stir gently to combine. Top off each glass with a splash of soda. Garnish each drink with a stalk of basil and a lime wedge.

EASY FRESH STRAWBERRY MOUSSE

Steps:

• Clean and slice the strawberries, In a blender or food processor add the sliced strawberries and the sugar and puree. Remove 1/2 a cup of puree and set aside.
• In a cold bowl add the cream and beat until stiff peaks form. Then fold in the remaining puree (not the 1/2 cup) gently.
• Divide the 1/2 cup of puree between the 4 small/medium** glasses and top with the strawberry mousse. Refrigerate for approximately 1 hour or even over night if desired. Top with fresh sliced strawberries and serve. Enjoy.
• ** for size purposes, the glasses I used hold 1 cup of water.

STRAWBERRY-BASIL-MINT MOUSSE

Steps:

• In a small pot, heat the strawberries and syrup. Sprinkle the gelatin over the strawberries and stir until the gelatin is dissolved. Remove from heat and cool.
• Put egg whites in a medium sized bowl and beat with an electric mixer until frothy. Add the sugar a little at a time while continuing to beat the egg whites until they form stiff peaks.
• In a separate larger bowl, beat the whipping cream until stiff peaks form.
• Place the cooled strawberry mixture in a blender and blend. Add about 10 mint leaves and 10 basil leaves and blend. Adjust to taste.
• Pour half the strawberry/herb mixture and half the egg whites into the whipped cream and fold together. Pour the rest of the strawberries and egg whites in and fold.
• Ladle the mousse into serving dishes and chill before serving, about one hour. A mint leaf makes a nice garnish.

BASIL CHEESECAKE WITH STRAWBERRY MOUSSE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Line a 9-inch springform tin with parchment paper.
• Combine chocolate wafers and butter in a food processor; process into fine crumbs. Press crumbs evenly into the bottom of the tin. Transfer crust to the refrigerator.
• Combine 1 cup heavy cream and basil in a food processor; blend until smooth. Add cream cheese, eggs, 3/4 cup sugar, flour, and cornstarch. Blend until smooth. Pour over chilled crust, smoothing the top with a spatula.
• Bake in the preheated oven until surface is firm except for a small spot in the center that will jiggle when the tin is gently shaken, about 1 hour. Turn off oven and open the door. Leave cheesecake in the oven until completely cooled, about 1 hour.
• Refrigerate cheesecake until completely set, about 6 hours.
• Combine gelatin and water in a small bowl; let stand until softened, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Place strawberries in a blender; blend until smooth and frothy.
• Pour 1/3 of the strawberries in a saucepan over medium heat; add 1/4 cup sugar. Stir until sugar dissolves, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in gelatin mixture. Mix in remaining strawberries.
• Whip 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons heavy cream with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Fold in strawberry mixture to make mousse.
• Run a knife around the edges of the tin to remove cheesecake; place on a serving platter. Cover top and sides with mousse. Refrigerate until mousse is set, 2 to 3 hours.

STRAWBERRY BASIL JAM

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, combine strawberries and butter. Stir in pectin. Bring to a full rolling boil over high heat, stirring constantly. Stir in sugar; return to a full rolling boil. Boil and stir 1 minute. Immediately stir in basil., Remove from heat; skim off foam. Ladle hot mixture into 9 hot half-pint jars, leaving 1/4-in. headspace. Remove air bubbles and adjust headspace, if necessary, by adding hot mixture. Wipe rims. Center lids on jars; screw on bands until fingertip tight., Place jars into canner with simmering water, ensuring that they are completely covered with water. Bring to a boil; process for 10 minutes. Remove jars and cool.

STRAWBERRY-BASIL COCKTAIL

Steps:

• In a shaker, muddle strawberries and basil. Fill shaker three-fourths full with ice. Add the remaining ingredients; cover and shake 10-15 seconds or until condensation forms on outside of shaker. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.