Strawberry Rhubarb Shortcake Food

STRAWBERRY AND RHUBARB SHORTCAKES

Steps:

• For the macerated strawberries: Combine the strawberries and sugar in a medium bowl. Toss to combine. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate 1 to 2 hours.
• For the shortcakes: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, and pepper if using. Using a bowl scraper or your fingers, work in the butter until the mixture resembles a coarse meal (using your fingers will create a more cake-like texture). Add the rhubarb and toss to coat; make a well in the center. Combine the 1/2 cup milk, the cream and the vanilla, and pour this into the well. Mix just until combined.
• Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead 5 or 6 times, then roll into a 3/4-inch-thick disc. Cut out rounds using a 3-inch biscuit cutter; make sure you don't twist the cutter, otherwise you'll squish the sides and the shortcakes won't rise. Knead the scraps together, re-roll and cut out rounds until all the dough has been used.
• Place the rounds, bottom-side up, on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush each with milk and sprinkle with turbinado sugar. Bake until the tops are golden brown, about 25 minutes. Let cool completely on the baking sheet.
• With a serrated knife, cut the shortcakes in half horizontally and place on a serving plate. Top the bottom halves with macerated strawberries and whipped cream, and cover with the top halves. Serve immediately.

STRAWBERRY RHUBARB SHORTCAKES

Steps:

• Make the filling:
• In a heavy saucepan combine the rhubarb, the sugar, and the orange juice and simmer the mixture, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the rhubarb is tender. Transfer the mixture to a bowl, stir in the strawberries, and let the mixture cool. Chill the filling, covered, for at least 2 hours or overnight.
• Make the shortcakes:
• Into a bowl sift together the flour, the sugar, the salt, the baking powder, and the cardamom and blend in the orange zest, the butter, and the shortening until the mixture resembles meal. In a small bowl whisk together the milk, the egg, and the vanilla, add the milk mixture to the flour mixture, and stir the mixture with a fork until it just forms a dough. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead it gently for 20 seconds. Pat the dough into a 6-inch round, cut it into 6 wedges, and transfer the wedges to a buttered baking sheet. Bake the shortcakes in the middle of a preheated 425°F. oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until they are golden, transfer them to a rack, and let them cool.
• In a bowl with an electric mixer beat the cream until it just holds soft peaks and add the sugar, beating. Beat in the orange-flower water and beat the cream until it holds stiff peaks. Split the shortcakes horizontally with a fork, arrange the bottom halves on 6 plates, and spoon the filling over them. Spoon the whipped cream over the filling and cover it with the top halves of the shortcakes.

STRAWBERRY-RHUBARB SHORTCAKES

Steps:

• For Compote:
• Combine first 5 ingredients in heavy large saucepan or Dutch oven. Bring to boil over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and simmer until rhubarb is tender but some pieces remain intact, about 7 minutes. Remove from heat and add allspice. Cool completely. Stir in strawberries. Cover and refrigerate until well chilled, at least 3 hours or overnight.
• For biscuits:
• Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 400°F. Combine first 5 ingredients in medium bowl. Add butter and cut in using pastry blender or rub with fingertips until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add 3/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons cream and stir until dough comes together.
• Turn out dough onto lightly floured work surface and knead until smooth, about 6 turns. Flatten dough to 3/4-inch-thick round. Cut out rounds using 2 3/4-inch-diameter plain or scalloped cookie cutter. Gather dough scraps and shape into 3/4-inch-thick round. Cut out additional dough rounds.
• Transfer rounds to heavy large ungreased baking sheet. Bake until biscuits are puffed and golden, about 23 minutes. Transfer biscuits to rack and cool slightly. (Can be prepared 2 hours ahead. Rewarm biscuits in 350°F. oven just until heated through, about 5 minutes.)
• Cut biscuits in half. Place 1 bottom half on each plate. Spoon 1/4 cup compote over each. Top with large spoonful sweetened compote, then more whipped cream. Cover with biscuits tops. Garnish with mint sprigs and serve.