Strawberry-Basil Shortcake

Strawberry and Basil Shortcake         Contributions from Salado Olive Oil Co.

This is not a sweet and savory dessert. The basil does pop and make the strawberry turn out perfect.

Strawberries:

1 1/2 cup Strawberry puree

¾ cup Granulated sugar

Fresh lemon juice as needed

4 cups Whole strawberries, quartered or halved.

1 teaspoon per cup strawberries each Strawberry-Basil Olive Oil

Shortcake:

1 cup room temperature Butter

1-2 tablespoon Strawberry Balsamic

1 cup Confectioner’s sugar

½ teaspoon salt

2 egg yolk*

2 ¼ cup All-purpose flour, sifted.

½ teaspoon Vanilla extract

Cream Chantilly:

Cold metal mixing bowl and beaters

1 ½ to 1 cup heavy whipping cream, chilled

1/3 to 1/8 cup granulated sugar

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Strawberries:

Combine all of the beginning ingredients and refrigerate for a few hours.

Dough:

Combine the butter, Balsamic, sugar, salt, and vanilla extract.

Add more Balsamic, sugar or vanilla to taste.

Add in the egg yolks one at a time.

Add flour and form a ball in bowl. Use a piece of plastic wrap to roll the dough into a log and place in the refrigerator for two to three hours.

Chantilly:

First make sure that the mixing equipment is cold. The Chantilly will not stay stiff otherwise. In the mixing bowl start whipping the heavy whipping cream until forming a thick mousse. Add the sugar and extract. Continue whipping until the cream resembles peaks and before it resembles butter!

Shortcakes Cookies:

Pull from refrigerator the dough and unwrap. Dust a table top and rolling pin. Roll out the firm dough to between ¼ and 1/8 inch. Proceed to cut out 4 inch circles with a cookie/biscuit cutter. Put on a parchment lined baking sheet. Brush with egg wash and place into an oven preheated at 400 degrees for 8 minutes or until golden brown.

Plating Instructions:

Take 2 shortbread cookies and place a dollop Chantilly on them. layer one with strawberry slices overlapping one another and place the other cookie on top with Chantilly facing up. Drizzle strawberry colis and place a few (not many) strawberries on top.