- 4 cups 3/4-inch-thick slices fresh rhubarb (about 1 1/2 pounds)
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons strawberry preserves
- 1 teaspoon minced orange peel
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 1-pint basket strawberries, hulled, thickly sliced
- 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
- 6 tablespoons sugar
- 4 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 1/2 tablespoons minced orange peel (orange part only)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 9 tablespoons chilled unsalted butter, cut into pieces
- 3/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons chilled whipping cream
- 2 cups chilled whipping cream, sweetened, softly whipped
- Mint sprigs
- Combine first 5 ingredients in heavy large saucepan or Dutch oven. Bring to boil over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and simmer until rhubarb is tender but some pieces remain intact, about 7 minutes. Remove from heat and add allspice. Cool completely. Stir in strawberries. Cover and refrigerate until well chilled, at least 3 hours or overnight.
- Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 400°F. Combine first 5 ingredients in medium bowl. Add butter and cut in using pastry blender or rub with fingertips until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add 3/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons cream and stir until dough comes together.
- Turn out dough onto lightly floured work surface and knead until smooth, about 6 turns. Flatten dough to 3/4-inch-thick round. Cut out rounds using 2 3/4-inch-diameter plain or scalloped cookie cutter. Gather dough scraps and shape into 3/4-inch-thick round. Cut out additional dough rounds.
- Transfer rounds to heavy large ungreased baking sheet. Bake until biscuits are puffed and golden, about 23 minutes. Transfer biscuits to rack and cool slightly. (Can be prepared 2 hours ahead. Rewarm biscuits in 350°F. oven just until heated through, about 5 minutes.)
- Cut biscuits in half. Place 1 bottom half on each plate. Spoon 1/4 cup compote over each. Top with large spoonful sweetened compote, then more whipped cream. Cover with biscuits tops. Garnish with mint sprigs and serve.