Last week’s column about the two-ingredient chocolate ganache made me remember a simple dessert that my mother whipped up in the summertime. The dessert was called “Fool”. Though Fool seems like a fancy dessert that one might find in a famous Parisian sidewalk café, it is remarkably easy to make. Fool’s simplicity fools you!
What is in this simple dessert? Just pureed berries folded into sweetened whipped cream. But there is a method to the madness. As with many few-ingredient recipes, the proper technique is what matters along with the presentation. You could plop the mixture down in the middle of a cereal bowl and call it good. But with just a little extra effort, the recipe can become a beautiful special occasion dessert all dressed up in party clothes.
Fool
2 cups fresh or frozen berries
Sugar to taste
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 ½ cups chilled heavy cream
Gently mash the berries until they break down slightly and release their juices. If you prefer a smoother texture, you can blend the berries then strain them to remove the seeds. Stir in the sugar and lemon juice. Whip the cream until soft peaks form. Gently fold the berry puree into the whipped cream using a spatula. Don’t fully mix the berry puree into the cream because you want to create a swirled appearance. Spoon the mixture into individual serving glasses or dishes. Cover them with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least two hours to allow the flavors to meld and the fool to set.
I have a pair of my grandmother’s parfait glasses and these make an elegant presentation. A stemmed glass would work well too. Before serving, top with whipped cream (I like to use aerosol whipped cream because of the way it comes out of the can). Drizzle a thin ribbon of chocolate syrup around the edges and add a couple of fresh berries. If you happen to have a mint plant, pick a few leaves for the final touch. You can serve the fool with shortbread cookies, biscotti, or tea biscuits. Wild blackberries are coming on now; if you use those you will probably want to remove the seeds. You can also layer the fool with some fresh berries.
I had some chocolate ganache and I layered that along with the Fool just for fun. It was soooo delicious I practically fell off my chair! I couldn’t stop thinking about the dessert for a few days, as if The Fool had put a spell on me. Good food has enormous power to uplift the spirit. Sometimes the simple things in life – like chocolate and berries ‒ can pack a big punch.