Entertaining dear friends outside on the verandah at Fox Hall, during Summer evenings in New England, is a savored treat for me. (The fun peacock dress: Ala von Auersperg!)
Simple and Summer go together like peas in a pod! Nothing is better than the taste of summer. Endless gifts from nature are ripe and ready, especially in August.
My dear friend Susan confessed that she doesn’t cook ( I don’t believe her!), but her SIMPLE go-to summer dish, thanks to Mother Nature in Southampton, NY, tastes like a Michelin-starred creation! Locally grown August sliced tomatoes with a drizzle of homemade pesto, a slice of burrata cheese, and a touch of reduced balsamic vinegar, meld delectably together. Such a simple creation offers the glorious taste of summer. She inspired me to write about this topic today!
Short on time? Just serve a few slices of ripe tomato, drizzle of olive oil and a few basil leaves on top. So heavenly!
And, in the same breath, nothing can top a summer BLT with Bibb lettuce, farm stand tomatoes and crisp bacon. My Virginia friends stress that only Duke’s mayonnaise will do, while my Connecticut friends swear by Hellman’s!
Or, how about local corn on the cob, shucked, sprinkled with salt and pepper and some butter, and fresh herbs, wrapped in foil, and grilled outdoors?
A simple lobster roll with a buttered grilled bun? Dreamy!
With my grandchildren visiting us from Berlin, Germany, I was inspired to make my secret recipe for strawberry shortcake with my granddaughter, Felicity, for an all American “slice of summer” dessert. My shortcake shortcut? Bisquick! My SECRET ingredient? Amaretto and almond extract!
First, we sliced the strawberries, drizzled Amaretto liquor (orange juice can be used in place of the liquor) on top, sprinkled sugar over them, and tossed, allowing the strawberries to then sit in a bowl at room temperature.
Secondly, Felicity whipped heavy cream, added a touch of confectioner's sugar, and poured enough Amaretto in for that amazing “almond” flavor, tasting along the way (the best part!), adding more as necessary. We refrigerated the glass until we were ready to serve.
Thirdly, she mixed the Bisquick shortcake recipe ingredients, while also adding the “secret” ingredient: almond extract.
Felicity made six individual cakes by dropping the batter on the baking sheet. Best to have the sides of each mound touching.
For dinner parties, this can be done before or during cocktail hour. It only takes 12-15 minutes to cook at 425. The key is to keep it warm until you serve it!
This angelic dessert is the essence of summer! The recipe is below. (The pink placemat is from Flying Sheep Country).
She chose pretty dessert plates, sliced the biscuit in half, added whipped cream and the sliced strawberries, placed the biscuit top on, and added another dollop of whipped cream and more strawberries with the liquid. I garnish with a few mint leaves when I have them.
A sensational “pink flower enhanced” summer view at my mother-in-law's Cape Cod house.
So, what simple recipe brings back summer memories for you?
Xx Holly
Holly’s Strawberry Shortcake!
To serve six:
Shortcake:
2 ⅓ cups of Bisquick Mix
¼ cup sugar
3 tablespoons melted butter (salted)
1 teaspoon of almond extract
Bake 425 for 12-15 minutes until lightly browned.
Strawberries:
4 cups of strawberries, sliced
¼ cup amaretto
¼ cup sugar
Whipped Cream:
1 ½ cup heavy cream
¼ cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon Amaretto ( or ½ teaspoon Almond Extract)
Add more or less to taste.
I use Amaretto, but also I often substitute Grand Marnier!