Strawberry Elderflower Trifle Food

STRAWBERRY & ELDERFLOWER GATEAU

Steps:

• Remove the base of a 20cm loose-bottomed cake tin (make sure it's a deep one) and use it as a template to cut out a circle from each flan case. Chop the offcuts from the flans into small pieces and set aside. Reassemble the tin and line it with a couple of sheets of cling film, leaving enough overhanging to wrap up once the tin is filled.
• Put one flan disc in the base of the tin and spread over half the jam. Arrange the strawberries around the outside with the cut surface facing outwards. If you have any particularly large or small strawberries, put them to one side.
• Whip the cream, 2 tbsp icing sugar and 3 tbsp elderflower cordial together in a bowl until the mixture holds its shape. Chop the reserved strawberries, then fold them into the cream mixture. Use half of the cream to fill the centre of the gateau, spreading right to the edges so it holds the strawberries in place.
• Push a single layer of the chopped flan offcuts into the cream (you may have some leftovers to nibble on), and drizzle over the remaining elderflower cordial. Stir the remaining jam through the rest of the cream, spread it over the flan pieces, and top with the final piece of flan. Fold over the cling film and give the gateau a gentle press down to compact the layers. Chill while you make the icing. Can be chilled for up to 24 hrs.
• Crush the raspberries with the back of a fork and stir in the 150g icing sugar to make a thick icing. Add a splash of water if it's too thick. Alternatively, add enough water to the icing sugar to make a thick icing, then stir in a few drops of pink food colouring.
• When you're ready to serve, remove the cake from the tin and discard the cling film, then transfer to a cake stand. Spread the icing right to the edges, then scatter the pistachios in a ring around the top, if using, and serve with a little strawberry coulis or cream on the side, if you like.

STRAWBERRY BLACKBERRY SUMMER TRIFLE

Steps:

• 1. Reserve a handful of whole strawberries and blackberries to top the cake.
• 2. Hull and halve all but reserved strawberries; toss them with sugar in a medium bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside until juices release, about 1 hour.
• 3. Whip cream in a chilled bowl to soft peaks. Fold in elderflower syrup and set aside in refrigerator.
• 4. Tear or cut angel food cake into 2-inch pieces. Scatter half of cake pieces onto bottom of a trifle dish or large clear glass bowl. Add blackberries to strawberries and ladle half of the berry mixture and their juices over cake; top with half whipped cream. Repeat with remaining cake, berries and cream. Garnish top trifle with reserved whole berries and refrigerate for 2 or up to 24 hours. Serve chilled.

STRAWBERRY & ELDERFLOWER SEMIFREDDO

Steps:

• Line a 1-litre loaf tin with cling film. Cook 300g of the strawberries with the 50g sugar and 4 tbsp of the elderflower cordial for 8-10 mins in a small pan over a medium heat until the strawberries have released some of their liquid and it has reduced a little. Leave to cool.
• Whisk the double cream to soft peaks, then fold in the Greek yogurt until combined. Gently fold the cooked strawberries through the cream and yogurt mixture to create a ripple effect. Tip the mixture into the lined tin, then gently even out with the back of a spoon. Cover with cling film and freeze for at least 5 hrs or overnight. Will keep frozen for up to one month.
• To serve, remove from the freezer, turn out onto a serving plate, peel off the cling film and defrost for 20 mins. Meanwhile, mix the rest of the strawberries with the remaining elderflower cordial, sprinkle over the 2 tbsp sugar, if using, and pile these on the semifreddo.

GOOSEBERRY & ELDERFLOWER TRIFLE

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. To make the gooseberry purée, tip 200ml water and the sugar into a pan and heat, stirring, until the sugar has dissolved. Bring to a gentle simmer, then add the gooseberries and cook for 8 mins, or until tender. Drain, reserving the poaching liquid. Lightly mash the gooseberries to break them up a little, then leave to cool. Taste to check for sweetness, and add a little more sugar if you like (remember that the cream and sponge are both sweet, though). Boil the reserved poaching liquid for 8-10 mins until syrupy, then add the cordial. Leave to cool completely.
• Butter and line the base of a 20-23cm cake tin. To make the sponge, beat the eggs and the sugar together with an electric whisk until pale and tripled in volume, then add 1 tbsp lukewarm water. Fold in the flour and a pinch of salt using a large metal spoon, being careful not to knock the air out of the eggs. Pour into the prepared tin and bake for about 25 mins. When ready, it will come away slightly from the edges of the tin. Leave to cool in the tin, then turn out and cut into broad fingers. You should get about 18, but don't worry about accuracy - there's no need to be precise.
• For the cream, beat the mascarpone with a wooden spoon to loosen it, then add the crème fraîche and sugar. Gradually add the cordial and squeeze over some lime juice. Taste and check whether you need more sugar, cordial or lime juice, then transfer to the fridge and chill until needed.
• Arrange a layer of sponge fingers over the base of a glass bowl or trifle dish, then spoon over some of the elderflower-flavoured poaching liquid. Top with a layer of gooseberry purée, then a layer of the cream. Continue to layer the ingredients (you'll probably only manage two layers of each), finishing with a layer of cream. Chill for at least 2 hrs and up to two days, then garnish with some toasted flaked almonds and flowers before serving.

STRAWBERRY AND ELDERFLOWER TRIFLE

Steps:

• Put the Swiss roll in a little bowl. Sprinkle on 4tbsp presse or juice. Add most of the strawberries.
• Break the jelly up and put in a measuring jug. Make up to 300ml with boiling water. Stir until dissolved. Add the rest of the presse or juice and make up to 550ml with ice cubes. Stir until dissolved and pour over the trifle base. Chill until set.
• Put the yolks, sugar and custard powder in a bowl and whisk until smooth. Heat 300ml cream and the milk until very hot but not boiling. Pour on to the egg mixture, whisking. Return to the pan and cook over a very low heat, stirring all the time, until it thickens - don't boil. Stir in the vanilla. Pour in a bowl, cover the surface with clingfilm and leave to cool.
• Once cooled, spread it on top of the jelly and chill. Whip the remaining cream and spread on. Decorate with the nuts and berries.