Mini Rosewater Trifles With Cardamom Cream Recipes

CARDAMOM CREAM

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, bring 1 cup of heavy cream and the cardamom to a boil. Reduce until only 1/4 cup remains. Allow to cool. Reserve. Whip the remaining 1 cup of heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Stir in the reserved mixture. Chill until ready to serve.

STRAWBERRY CHOCOLATE MINI TRIFLES

Steps:

• Reserve 2 strawberries for garnish, then dice the remaining strawberries.
• In a medium bowl, combine the diced strawberries and 2 tablespoons of the sugar and toss to coat. Let the strawberries macerate on the counter while you prepare the rest of the dessert.
• In a large cold bowl, combine the heavy cream, vanilla and remaining 2 tablespoons sugar. Using a whisk or hand mixer, whip the cream to medium peaks. Transfer to a 1-gallon releasable plastic bag and refrigerate until ready to use.
• Prepare the mousse mix according to the package instructions. Transfer to a 1-gallon resealable plastic bag.
• Set aside about 1/4 cup of the crumbled chocolate wafer cookies for garnish. Fill the bottom third of each dessert cup with the remaining crumbled cookies. Cut about 1/2 inch off the bottom corner of the plastic bag filled with the mousse. Pipe the chocolate mousse into the cups, filling them about two-thirds of the way up. Top with the diced strawberries, filling up each cup to the top. Let chill about 20 minutes.
• To garnish: Cut about 1/2 inch off the bottom corner of the plastic bag filled with the whipped cream and pipe onto the chocolate mousse in each dessert cup. Sprinkle with the reserved crumbled cookies. Slice the remaining 2 strawberries into quarters. Place a strawberry quarter on top of each and refrigerate until ready to serve. The desserts should be served the same day they are made.

RIESLING POACHED PEARS WITH CARDAMOM CREAM

Steps:

• Pour the Riesling into a medium saucepan and whisk in the sugar until it dissolves.
• Peel the pears, leaving stem intact, if present. Remove bottom stem end with a small melon baller, and continue to scoop up into the pear to remove the core. Place the pears right in the Riesling mixture (poaching liquid) after they are peeled and cored to prevent them from discoloring. (The acidity of the wine keeps them from browning). Add just enough water to cover the pears.
• To keep the pears submerged in the poaching liquid, cut a circle of parchment paper the size of the pan and lay on the surface of the liquid. Place a small plate on top of the paper to make sure the pears are completely submerged. Cook the pears over medium-high heat, just until the liquid comes to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and poach the pears until they are just soft. The pears should be tender enough to pierce with a knife. This takes about 20 to 25 minutes for ripe medium pears, but this can vary depending on the size, variety and ripeness of the pear.
• Remove the pan from the heat and cool the fruit completely in the poaching liquid. Refrigerate the fruit in the liquid in a sealed container until ready to serve. (The fruit will hold for 4 to 5 days, the longer the fruit is stored in the poaching liquid, the fuller the flavor).
• Pour about half of the poaching liquid into a skillet and bring to a boil over high heat. Continue to cook and reduce until the liquid gets syrupy and about the consistency of honey.
• Meanwhile, whip the cream together with the sugar and cardamom until cream just holds soft peaks. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
• To serve, place a pear in a bowl or on a plate. Drizzle with reduced Riesling syrup and garnish with a dollop of whipped cream.