Strawberry & Elderflower Gateau with Strawberry Coulis
I'm going to be honest and say I didn't price this up because I forgot. It was a special treat during the holidays. Also, whilst being honest I wasn't too sure how it would turn out because I haven't really cooked a pudding before, I say cook, this actually doesn't involve any cooking! As it turned out, it wasn't bad! Oh! Before I woke up this morning I didn't even know what a coulis was, let alone how to make one. But thanks to the BBC Good Food magazine I was about to find out.
I'm going to be honest and say I didn't price this up because I forgot. It was a special treat during the holidays. Also, whilst being honest I wasn't too sure how it would turn out because I haven't really cooked a pudding before, I say cook, this actually doesn't involve any cooking! As it turned out, it wasn't bad! Oh! Before I woke up this morning I didn't even know what a coulis was, let alone how to make one. But thanks to the BBC Good Food magazine I was about to find out.
- Carbohydrate 15.7330285714286 g
- Cholesterol 58.7142857142857 mg
- Fat 15.9970571428571 g
- Fiber 0.923142858573369 g
- Protein 1.18791428571429 g
- Saturated Fat 9.87931428571429 g
- Serving Size 1 1 Serving (99g)
- Sodium 18.7057142857143 mg
- Sugar 14.8098857128552 g
- Trans Fat 0.856177142857142 g
- Calories 206 calories
Step-by-step
- Using the base of a deep cake tin, I cut a circle from each flan case and chopped up the remaining bits of flan, keeping them for later.
- After putting the cake tin back together, I used cling film to cover the tin.
- I placed one flan case in the tin and spread half the jam over it. I arranged strawberries around the outside with the cut side facing outwards, keeping the remaining strawberries aside.
- I whipped the cream with 2 tbsp icing sugar and elderflower cordial until it held its shape.
- After chopping the remaining strawberries, I folded them into the cream mixture. I used half the cream to fill the centre of the gateau, pushing it into the edges to hold the strawberries in place.
- I pushed the flan offcuts into the mix and drizzled over the rest of the cordial.
- I stirred the rest of the jam into the remaining cream and spread it over the flan offcuts.
- I placed the second flan case on top, folded the cling film over, pressed down, and refrigerated while I made the icing and coulis.
- I crushed the raspberries with a spoon, added 150g icing sugar, and stirred to make the icing.
- I removed the cake from the tin, put it on a plate, and spread the icing on top.
- For the coulis, I blended 200g strawberries, 100g icing sugar, and lemon juice.
Strawberry & Elderflower Gateau: A No-Bake Holiday Treat
This holiday season, I decided to try something a little different – a no-bake Strawberry & Elderflower Gateau with a homemade strawberry coulis. Now, I'll be the first to admit, I'm not exactly a seasoned baker. In fact, the thought of tackling a complicated dessert usually sends me running for the nearest box of chocolates. But something about the delicate balance of sweet strawberries and fragrant elderflower whispered to my adventurous side. And let me tell you, the results were surprisingly delightful!
The best part? This gateau is incredibly simple to make. No oven required, no complicated techniques – just a little bit of patience and a whole lot of love (and maybe a hand blender). I started with store-bought flan cases, a shortcut that saved me a ton of time. The creamy filling, a delightful blend of whipped cream, elderflower cordial, and fresh strawberries, is both light and refreshing. The addition of a homemade strawberry coulis added another layer of fruity sweetness, transforming this simple dessert into something truly special.
I’d never even heard of a coulis before embarking on this recipe. It sounds so fancy, doesn't it? But it's basically a fruit puree, a simple blend of strawberries, icing sugar, and a squeeze of lemon. The vibrant pink color and sweet taste are the perfect complement to the delicate elderflower notes in the gateau itself. Honestly, creating the coulis felt like a mini-culinary victory! It was a fun, simple task, and the results were stunning.
The assembly of the gateau itself was a charmingly messy affair. I confess, my kitchen looked like a strawberry explosion by the end of it all, but the final product was well worth the minor chaos. I used the flan cases as the base and top layers, creating a delightful little shell to hold the strawberry and cream filling. The combination of textures – the crisp flan, the soft cream, and the juicy strawberries – was a truly satisfying experience. I even incorporated some leftover bits of the flan case into the filling for an extra touch of delightful crunch.
This dessert is perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a special holiday gathering, a summer picnic, or just a simple treat to brighten up your day. It's beautiful, delicious, and surprisingly easy to make, even for a baking novice like myself. Plus, the no-bake aspect means you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying the company of loved ones. I served it to my family during the holidays, and it was a huge success. The beautiful presentation, the tantalizing aroma, and the delicious taste created a truly memorable experience.
The simplicity of this recipe belies the impressive result. It's a testament to the fact that you don't need complicated techniques or hours of baking to create something truly delicious. A few simple ingredients, a little creativity, and a dash of holiday spirit is all you need. So, go ahead and give this Strawberry & Elderflower Gateau a try. It's a recipe that will surely become a new holiday tradition in your own home. And if you, like me, have never made a coulis before, this recipe is the perfect opportunity to learn – trust me, it's easier than you think!
This dessert is a delightful and impressive addition to any occasion, big or small. But most importantly, it's a reminder that even the simplest ingredients can create something truly memorable. It’s a celebration of fresh flavors, simple techniques, and the joy of creating something beautiful and delicious for those you love. Give it a go, and I’m sure you’ll agree. And who knows, it might just inspire you to explore more no-bake desserts!
