Strawberries & White Chocolate - 2 ways

For the last few weeks I've been driving the people around me mad with my excitement over the impending Strawberry season. There is a fantastic PYO strawberry farm a short skip and jump from the house and I've been waiting with baited breath for it to open. I was determined not to buy supermarket strawberries as they don't taste anywhere near as good as the PYO ones. Friday was S-Day (Strawberry Day). Strawberries are only just coming into season here and only early varieties were available but they were still just as luscious. They are a bargain, we ended up getting 1.25kg of strawberries for just over £2. I can't wait until their raspberries are ready. At this rate I'll be coming out in Strawberry Rash in the next few days.

With In The Bag this month being Strawberries & White Chocolate and today being Midsummer's Day (though you'd never believe it with the horrible weather) I decided to celebrate with Strawberry & White Chocolate Mousse plus White Chocolate dipped strawberries. The mousse was as result of me experimenting, but it worked really well. The freshness of the strawberries helped cut through the sweet creaminess of the mousse.



Strawberry & White Chocolate Mousse
Serves 2-4

100g double cream
100g white chocolate
100g creme fraiche
punnet of strawberries, hulled

1) In a food processor blitz all of the strawberries until you have a chunky puree.

2) In a bain marie gently melt white chocolate. White chocolate is melting whisk together double cream and creme fraiche for about a minute until it begins to thicken. Fold in melted chocolate until combined.

3) Layer the strawberry puree and white chocolate mousse in a glass. Chill for 1-2 hours before serving.

Sticky Pork & Purple Sprouting Broccoli Stirfry

This months In The Bag event is to cook with purple sprouting broccoli (PSB). I've eaten this veg in various forms over the last few weeks and tonight wanted to try something a bit different with it.

As Hubby has gone to the local beer festival I wanted to cook something quick, tasty and easy giving me the longest time to watch cheesy Saturday evening tv. This recipe is loosly based on my sticky pork recipe. I meant to add sesame seeds, but totally forgot!

Sticky Pork and Broccoli Stirfry
Serves 1

1 pork steak, sliced into strips
handful of purple sprouting brocolli
1 tbsp rice vinegar
3 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp garlic paste
2 tsp soft dark sugar
1 sheet of noodles

1) Mix rice vinegar, soy sauce, garlic and sugar in shallow bowl. Marinade steak for up to 24 hours.

2) Cook steaks in saute pan (minus the extra marinade) for about 3 min each side until cooked. Remove steaks from pan and allow to rest. Cook noodles then drain. Add broccoli remaining marinade to pan, boil until sticky.

3) Add noodles to broccoli and mix until coated in sauce. Stir in pork. Serve.