Make most if the strawberry season

Winter is already on its way out but strawberry is still the flavor of the season. They are the freshest and juiciest now and are available in plenty at all stores.

The best part about strawberries is that they can be added to any dessert, or shake without hassle, says Pastry Chef J.Amaresan, Novotel Hyderabad Convention Center. “You can puree them and add them to any dessert. You caom even make compote or jam out of it to spread it on cakes,” he elaborates adding. ”One of the simplest things you can do is mix balsamic vinegar and sugar and reduce it over a stove. Then add chopped strawberry pieces and use it to layer and garnish other desserts. And for those with a taste for the exotic, try the Strawberry Surprise, which is made of whipped cream, honey and diced strawberry. Simply add the honey to the cream and add the strawberries and chill and serve. It will taste delicious.”

So next time you head to the market on a look out for seasonal fruits, give those traditional oranges and apples a miss and try strawberries instead. Here is a sponge cake recipe for you to try.

Strawberry Sponge Cake

INGREDIENTS

• 7 eggs
• 200 gms sugar
• 200 gms flour
• 1 tsp vanilla essence
• 500 gms whipped cream
• 200 gms strawberries
• 150 gms sugar syrup
• 50 gms strawberry puree

METHOD

Whip eggs with sugar till fluffy. When the egg froths, add essence and fold in the sieved flour. Bake it in a 9-inch greased cake mould at 200^oC for 20 minutes. Once it is cool, slice it horizontally into 3 sections and set aside.

Mix sugar syrup and puree together and soak cake in it. Whip cream and layer 100 gms of it in each section. Put chopped strawberries on the cream and repeat the process for all the layers. On the top layer smear extra cream and garnish with fresh strawberries.