It’s hot in Colorado. We normally don’t get regular days in the 90’s until August and we’ve experienced a handful already. Farmers I know say we are in a drought which is not surprising after our sparse snowfall. Anyone watching the national news will have seen a wildfire only moderately controlled after more than a week and having burned more structures than any fire in Colorado’s history.
When it is this hot I quickly lose my interest to do much of anything outside. We are so high in altitude and with more intense UV rays one can imagine hearing the faint sound of bacon sizzling whenever outside for more than a few minutes and you’d not dream of going without sunscreen. I’m haunted by teenage memories of ‘laying out’ applying only baby oil mixed with iodine, on tin foil and often on top of the dog house to get closer to the sun striving for the Hawaiian Tropic tan. Yikes.
My appetite is also kaput. My only food interests are cool, simple foods requiring minimal preparation or effort to eat them. When I began making recipes from my Grandmother’s recipe box last year my mother lent me her recipes to peruse. I scanned looking for things unusual but fitting to my dining sensibilities as well as seasonal recipes that stay true to the star ingredients with little alteration.
One such recipe I pulled out was for Strawberry Mousse. Having just enough organic strawberries left from my recent trip to the U-Pick organic farm, coupled with the recipe’s little sugar amount and only whole ingredients, it sounded just what the doctor ordered. I’m not sure of the origins of the recipe as it’s typed anonymously on a small sheet of paper with no notation of a date or origin as with many older recipes. Regardless of where it came from it I was glad to find it and I suspect you will be glad too once you try it!
STRAWBERRY MOUSSE
This mousse has a full, natural strawberry flavor with a bit of a tang from the lemon juice; like the flavor of some sweet sour cream. I have a soft spot for pink desserts and this one is gorgeous! I love that it can be made up to two days ahead as well.
Yield: 4-8 ounce servings or 8-4 ounce servings
Time: Prep: 15 minutes Cooking/Assembly: 15 minutes Chilling: 30 minutes (puree) plus 4 hours (minimum)
Ingredients:
· 4 cups fresh strawberries, hulled, cored and cut in half (if extra large cut into quarters)
· 1/3 cup granulated sugar
· 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
· ¼ teaspoon vanilla
· 1 envelope gelatin
· 1 cup heavy whipping cream
1. Combine the strawberries, sugar, lemon juice and vanilla in a large saucepan. Allow liquid to come to a boil, reduce to a simmer, stirring frequently and cook until strawberries become soft; about 5 minutes.
2. Remove from heat. Pour into a blender and puree until smooth. Pour back into saucepan.
3. Pour ¼ cup cold water into a small bowl. Add the gelatin and let soften for 5 minutes.
4. Add gelatin mixture to the warm puree and stir until the gelatin melts. Allow mixture to fully cool at room temperature.
5. In the bowl of a freestanding mixer (or in a large bowl with a hand held mixer) whip the cream until it holds still peaks. Add the cooled puree and fold to fully combine.
6. Pour into serving containers, cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours and up to 2 days.
While this was chilling an idea for a refreshing drink popped to mind. Using some of the Organic Strawberry Syrup I made recently for Peanut Butter French Toast I thought to combine that with something sparkling for a quick homemade spritzer.
STRAWBERRY SPRITZER (Booze-Free)
This libation is very refreshing with a light taste of strawberry. You can always add more syrup if you desire a stronger taste but this was perfect for our sweltering temps. If you decide you’d like to turn this into a cocktail, it would be great with some Homemade Strawberry-Infused Vodka (click here for recipe).
Yield: 1 spritzer
Ingredients:
· 1 teaspoon of Organic Strawberry Syrup (click here for recipe)
· 1 can of Club Soda, Seltzer Water or Tonic Water (pick your personal favorite)
Pour the strawberry syrup into a Highball glass. Add sparkling liquid and fill about ¾ of the glass. Stir to fully combine. Fill with ice. Garnish if you choose (a lime wedge or mint) and enjoy!
The Mom Chef says
I think a good part of the country is covered in heat. We're just about to hit 90 this afternoon and have been hovering here for days. I know my mom says it's the same in Chicago. I can't imagine having that and the high altitude at the same time. Wow.
The mousse looks amazing; very refreshing.
Boulder Locavore says
I think you are right Christiane. We have now hit 103, a record breaking high. My wee one and I took an uber early run (6:30 a.m.) to the neighborhood coffee shop and enjoyed a Sunday morning nosh outdoors feeling the temps of a normal summer day high at that time! It's been a day for indoor air conditioned movie watching.
kitchenarian says
I want it all! With the week we have had here in Virginia, this looks like the perfect way to cool down. Congrats on a well deserved Top 9.
Boulder Locavore says
Thanks my friend; you as well! Stay cool. We have extra smoke with our heat by I remember well from my time in VA the summer humidity. Almost unbearable with the heat.
Carolynn says
That strawberry on top of the mousse looks more like a raspberry to me! This recipe would also be delicious made with raspberries or blackberries! yummy!
Boulder Locavore says
It is a raspberry Carolynn, you are correct! The strawberries that I had not used were so large they somehow did not present well as garnish. More like a dressed up woman wearing a hat 4 times the size of her head.
I agree; this would be fun to try with all sorts of berries. I stuck to the original recipe for my first run but may try others now that I know how delicious it is……and that with this heat I may never leave my house this summer!
Foodie Stuntman says
Looks good and congratulations on making the foodbuzz Top 9! Stay safe.
Boulder Locavore says
Thank you so much!
ping says
Oh, and congrats on getting Top 9!
Boulder Locavore says
Thanks!
ping says
Looks like brains go on switch off mode during teenage years. Used to do that as well … bake myself, that is. Now I have all the freckles to remind me how close I came to getting into worse skin troubles. Yeek.
Well, these days I stick to indoor activities such as ogling at delicious meese (that's plural for moose/mousse, applies both ways) 😀
and spritzers!
Boulder Locavore says
I suppose the self-rotisserie treatment affected some of those teen brain cells as well! Now I sport 100 SPF sunscreen, wide brimmed hats and largee sunglasses realizing a tan really only looks good on people 12 and under.
Luscious Delights says
That strawberry mousse looks good enough to dive into
Boulder Locavore says
It is a record breaking 103 degrees in Boulder today. You've given me a very good idea…..
Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love. says
I can't decide which of these recipes I love more!
Boulder Locavore says
Like with children or shoes, it's always best not to pick a favorite; make both!
Chef Dennis says
you had me at the mousse, throw in that refreshing spritzer and I'm ready to cool off in strawberry heaven!
Boulder Locavore says
I agree Dennis! Add air conditioning and there is nothing to complain about!
Lisa @ Tarte du Jour says
Wowzo! This is a stunning dessert. I bet food gawker and tastespotting would eat these gorgeous photos up with a spoon! They are colorful and unique just like your lovely blog always is. My daughter who adores pink would be a big fan!
Boulder Locavore says
I too love a good pink dessert! I'm not sure why but I find it very alluring. This is really delicious too. Thanks for your kind photo words too Lisa.
Baker Street says
Woah! I'd love a bottle of that homemade strawberry vodka! The mousse and spritzer both look fantastic, T! 🙂
Boulder Locavore says
Well with a mason jar, some strawberries and vodka, you can have one pretty quickly and inexpensively! I enjoyed it as a vodka tonic all last summer. So refreshing.
Ellen B Cookery says
I love strawberry season. The mousse looks so delicious!
Boulder Locavore says
Thanks Ellen. I too love strawberry season. I really can't take strawberries any other time now.
Debra Eliot says
Me, too. When are cocktails served?
Boulder Locavore says
Anytime you see fitting!