MID-SUMMER'S FULL MOON

A Strawberry Moon over the Parthenon

After 50 years, the summer solstice and the full moon fell on the same day.




As the June full moon is called the strawberry moon, here are two recipes prepared with this luscious fruit.

                                                 STRAWBERRY FOOL

Here is a recipe for a delicious summer dessert.

2 cups sliced strawberries

½ cup icing sugar or more if necessary

1 tiny pinch of salt

A squeeze of lemon juice to accentuate the taste

1 tbsp METAXA brandy

500 ml (2 cups) heavy cream, whipped to stiff peaks

Blend the strawberries with the icing sugar, salt and lemon juice and sieve to discard the seeds.   Stir the brandy into the strawberry coulis (pulp).  Gently fold 2 tablespoonfuls of whipped cream into the pulp, then reverse the procedure and pour the strawberry mixture into the whipped cream and mix  until swirls of  strawberry pink  are still evident .  Taste and add more icing sugar, if necessary.

Fill a large bowl or individual bowls with the strawberry fool and garnish with sliced strawberries and extra whipped cream.

                                      STRAWBERRY BELLINI COCKTAIL

This version is prepared with sweet, ripe strawberries instead of peaches.   It is just as delicious as the original champagne cocktail.

500 ml (2 cups) blended and sieved ripe strawberries

A tiny pinch of salt

2 tbsp or more simple syrup (1 part water + 1 part sugar boiled until the sugar melts)

A squeeze of lemon juice to accentuate the taste

1 tbsp METAXA brandy

Chilled Champagne or sparkling wine

Combine the strawberry pulp, salt, syrup, lemon juice and brandy well together and chill in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours.

Pour into each iced Champagne flute 62.5 ml (¼ cup) strawberry mixture, fill the with Champagne or sparkling wine and enjoy!!