Strawberry gateau Recipe
- 1 large flan case
- 5 tbsp Drambuie (or liqueur of your choice)
- 800ml/1½ pints double cream
- 1½ tsp vanilla extract
- 200g/7oz caster sugar
- 2 punnets large strawberries, trimmed and cut in half lengthways
- 50g/2oz icing sugar
- 1 punnet small strawberries
- ½ punnet each mixed berries – raspberries, blueberries and blackberries
- 3-4 sprigs mint
- Place a 20-25cm/8-10in stainless steel ring onto the flan case and use it to cut through, discarding the outer sponge.
- Cut the flan in half, to get two thin layers.
- Place the steel ring onto a large flat plate and place one of the sponge layers inside and press down lightly.
- Sprinkle two tablespoons of the Drambuie over the sponge then set aside.
- Place the double cream into a bowl with the vanilla extract, the remaining Drambuie and 75g/3oz of the sugar and whip to soft peaks.
- Line the flan ring with the largest strawberry halves, cut side against the ring. Reserve the rest of the strawberries.
- Carefully place the whipped cream into the centre of the flan and spread out gently to fill the whole mould – adding as much cream as necessary to fill to the top of the strawberries.
- Place the remaining flan case on top and press down lightly.
- Remove the ring by carefully warming the edges with a hot cloth and lifting it straight off.
- Dust the top with the icing sugar.
- Place the remaining caster sugar into a very clean frying pan and place on the stove to caramelise.
- Once it is caramelised remove from the heat to cool slightly.
- While this is cooling, take a hot metal skewer that is red hot and score the topof the gateau in lines to create a diamond style pattern.
- Dress the top of the gateau with the leftover strawberries and berries and garnish with sprigs of fresh mint.
- To finish, dip a small spoon into the sugar and twist around a long narrow cylinder, like a steel used to sharpen knives, or even a wooden spoon handle, to create some curls then balance on top of the gateau.
- Serve cut into wedges with more pouring cream if needed.