Nectarines And Berries With Flavored Whipped Cream Recipes

WHIPPED CREAM WITH FRESH BERRIES

Steps:

• Add the heavy cream and sugar to the chilled bowl of a stand mixer (you can also use a hand mixer or a whisk and a large chilled bowl). Whip on medium speed until the cream holds soft peaks. Add the vanilla bean paste, creme fraiche, orange zest and orange liqueur and whip on medium speed until the cream holds medium peaks.
• Layer fruit in a bowl, spoon over whipped cream and serve.

NECTARINES AND BERRIES WITH FLAVORED WHIPPED CREAM

Steps:

• In a large nonreactive bowl, mix the fruit, vinegar, sugar and pinches of salt and pepper. Let sit uncovered in refrigerator for 30 minutes.
• Combine cream, sugar, lavender, orange zest and another pinch of salt, and whip until soft peaks form.
• Put fruit into serving bowls, and spoon a bit of whipped cream on top. Garnish with mint.

NECTARINE-BLACKBERRY CRISP

Steps:

• For topping:
• Whisk flour, golden brown sugar, lemon peel, and salt in medium bowl to blend. Add melted butter and vanilla; stir until evenly moistened but crumbly. DO AHEAD: Can be made 4 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.
• For filling:
• Whisk eggs in large bowl to blend. Whisk in crème fraîche and vanilla. Add 1 tablespoon flour; whisk to blend. do ahead Can be made 4 hours ahead. Cover and chill. Rewhisk before continuing.
• Preheat oven to 375°F. Butter 8x10- inch oval ceramic dish. Place berries and nectarines in large bowl. Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup flour and sugar over; toss to coat. Transfer to prepared dish. Pour egg mixture evenly over fruit. Using fingers, crumble topping over fruit, distributing evenly.
• Bake crisp until custard is set and topping is golden brown, about 55 minutes. Let cool at least 10 minutes and up to 1 hour before serving.
• Scoop crisp into bowls. Serve with vanilla ice cream.

BRANDIED BERRIES AND NECTARINES

Steps:

• Halve the nectarines, and discard pits. Slice nectarines, and place them in a bowl. Toss with lemon juice.
• Press half the blackberries and raspberries through a fine sieve into a small saucepan. Add sugar, and heat gently, just until sugar has dissolved, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the brandy.
• Mix remaining blackberries, raspberries and optional blueberries with nectarine slices. Pour sauce over fruit, and mix gently. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Spoon fruit into large stemmed goblets, and garnish with mint and a dollop of creme fraiche, if desired, before serving.

COCOA MERINGUE BASKETS WITH NECTARINES, BERRIES, AND CREAM

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 200°F. Line 3 large baking sheets with parchment paper. Using 3 1/4- to 3 1/2-inch-diameter biscuit cutter or bowl as guide, heavily trace 9 circles on each of 2 parchment-lined baking sheets. On third parchment-lined baking sheet and using same guide, trace 10 semicircles. Turn parchment paper over so that marked side is down (circles and semicircles will show through).
• Whisk 1 1/2 cups sugar and cocoa powder in medium bowl to blend. Using electric mixer, beat egg whites, 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla and cream of tartar in large bowl until soft peaks form, about 1 1/2 minutes. Gradually add sugar-cocoa mixture and beat until very stiff and glossy, about 4 minutes.
• Cut off 1/3 to 1/2 inch from 1 corner of 1-gallon resealable plastic bag. Scoop enough meringue into bag to fill 3/4 full. Twist bag shut above meringue and hold firmly closed while piping. Pipe small dot of meringue under parchment in each corner of baking sheets. Press parchment onto dots to anchor. To form basket bottoms: Starting in center of each marked circle on 1 baking sheet, pipe meringue in continuous spiral to fill circles completely. Pipe 12 marble-size balls atop edge of each circle. To form basket sides: On second baking sheet, pipe meringue atop edge of traced circles to form rings. Pipe 12 marble-size meringue balls atop each ring, spacing about 1/3 to 1/2 inch apart. To form basket handles: On third sheet, pipe meringue atop outline of semicircles.
• Bake meringues until firm and dry to touch, about 2 hours. Turn off oven; let meringues stand in closed oven overnight to dry completely. (Can be made 3 days ahead. Store airtight in single layer at room temperature.)
• Toss nectarine slices with crème de cassis in medium bowl. Beat whipping cream, remaining 6 tablespoons sugar and 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla in large bowl until peaks form.
• Place 1 meringue bottom on each of 8 plates. Place 1 meringue side atop each bottom. Spoon dollop of whipped cream into center of each basket. Top with spoonful of nectarine slices, then a few raspberries and blackberries. Repeat with another layer of cream, nectarines, and berries. Dip ends of 1 meringue handle into whipped cream and attach to 1 basket; repeat with remaining handles. Sift powdered sugar over baskets. Garnish with mint sprigs and serve.