Gooseberry Fool Recipes

GOOSEBERRY FOOL

Steps:

• Put the gooseberries and sugar in a pan with a splash of water. Heat gently, stirring, then bring to a simmer and cook until the fruit starts to burst. Squash the gooseberries with a potato masher or fork until pulpy. Cool then chill until cold in the fridge.
• Put the yoghurt in a bowl and beat with the icing sugar and vanilla until smooth. Gently whisk in the cream (it will thicken as you whisk so don't overdo it). Ripple through the gooseberry pulp then spoon into pretty glasses or bowls to serve.

BLUEBERRY AND GOOSEBERRY FOOLS

Steps:

• Melt butter in a large skillet on medium heat, and add berries and sugar. Cover, reduce heat to low, and cook gently, stirring occasionally, until sugar has dissolved and berries have softened, about 5 minutes. Remove pan from heat, and lightly squash fruit with the back of a wooden spoon. Don't mash to a puree; some texture should remain. Cool completely in the refrigerator before proceeding.
• Whip cream to soft but not stiff peaks. Gently fold the cream into the cooled fruit mixture, leaving the mixture marbled. Serve immediately in individual bowls.

GOOSEBERRY FOOL

Steps:

• Pull off tops and tails of gooseberries and halve berries lengthwise. In a heavy skillet cook berries and granulated sugar over moderate heat, stirring occasionally until liquid is thickened, about 5 minutes. Simmer mixture, mashing with a fork to a coarse puree, 2 minutes more. Chill puree, covered, until cold, about 1 hour, and up to 1 day.
• In a bowl with an electric mixer beat heavy cream with crème fraîche until it holds soft peaks. Add superfine sugar and beat until mixture just holds stiff peaks. Fold chilled puree into cream mixture until combined well. Fool may be made 3 hours ahead and chilled, covered.

GOOSEBERRY FOOL WITH ELDER FLOWER

Steps:

• Top and tail the gooseberries. Cook them with the sugar in a saucepan for about 15 minutes. Add the elder flower concentrate and mix in thoroughly. Chill.
• Fold the gooseberries into the whipped cream. Add extra sugar or elder flower concentrate if necessary.

GOOSEBERRY FOOL

Steps:

• Chill glasses or small bowls for serving.
• Cook goosberries (until soft) with sugar and two tablespoons of water.
• Tast for sweetness when cooked and add icing sugar to adjust to your taste.
• Run through a fine strainer and mix in with custard.
• Serve hot, or cold.