Strawberries With Fromage Blanc Recipes

HOMEMADE FROMAGE BLANC

Steps:

• In a large, heavy saucepan, add the milk and the cream for a richer fromage blanc. In a mixing bowl, combine the buttermilk and lemon juice and stir to combine well. Add the buttermilk-lemon juice mixture to the milk and begin to heat the milk, over low heat and very slowly, to 175 degrees F. While the milk is heating, stir only twice, making 2 strokes each time, with a heat-proof spatula or other flat utensil. Check the temperature often. As soon as the temperature reaches 175 degrees F, remove the pot from the heat and allow to sit, undisturbed, for 10 minutes.
• Line a large colander with 2 layers of fine cheesecloth and set over a large bowl. Gently ladle the curds and whey into the colander and allow to drain until the drips of whey slows, about 2 minutes. Tie the corners of the cheesecloth together to form a hanging pouch, and hang pouch over a bowl and allow to drain until the cheese reaches the desired consistency.
• Serve as is, with preserves, honey or fresh fruit, or add salt or fresh herbs, to taste, and enjoy as a savory appetizer. If a rich cheese is desired, spoon or pour a bit of heavy cream over the top before serving. Also, if a very smooth product is desired, beat the cheese briefly with an electric mixer before serving.
• Refrigerate until ready to serve, up to 1 week. If cheese is marinated in oil with fresh herbs, it will keep, refrigerated, for up to 1 month.

FROMAGE BLANC WITH STRAWBERRIES

Steps:

• Place the buttermilk in a large saucepan. Heat gently for about five minutes, to a temperature of around 110 degrees. The buttermilk will feel fairly warm to the touch. You can test the temperature with an instant-read thermometer. You should see the buttermilk beginning to coagulate and a whitish liquid collecting around the edges. Set aside to cool to room temperature.
• Line a colander with several thicknesses of cheesecloth. Place the colander over a bowl. Ladle the buttermilk from the saucepan into the colander. Allow it to drain overnight. this is the fromage blanc or fresh white cheese.
• Transfer the fromage blanc from the colander to a bowl. If it has become very firm, beat in a little milk. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Rinse and hull the strawberries. Puree half of them and sweeten to taste.
• Serve scoops of the fromage blanc on plates with the pureed strawberries and whole strawberries.

FROMAGE FRAIS MOUSSE WITH STRAWBERRY SAUCE

Steps:

• Put the egg white into a heatproof bowl with the icing sugar. Set the bowl over a large pan of simmering water and, using a hand electric whisk, whisk for 5 mins until the mixture is light, fluffy and holds peaks when the blades are lifted. Remove from heat, whisk in the lemon zest, then whisk for a further 2 mins to cool it down.
• Fold in the fromage frais, then transfer to six glasses or small bowls and chill. Roughly chop half the strawberries and put in the food processor with the 2 tbsp icing sugar and the lemon juice. Whizz to a purée, then press through a sieve to remove the seeds. Chop the remaining strawberries.
• Spoon the chopped strawberries over the mousses, then spoon a little purée over each. Chill until ready to serve.

STRAWBERRIES WITH BALSAMIC VINEGAR

Steps:

• Place strawberries in a bowl. Drizzle vinegar over strawberries, and sprinkle with sugar. Stir gently to combine. Cover, and let sit at room temperature for at least 1 hour but not more than 4 hours. Just before serving, grind pepper over berries.

FROMAGE BLANC SOUFFLE

Steps:

• 1. Liberally butter a shallow 2-quart (2-L) baking dish, with sides that are at least 2 1/2 inches (8 cm) high. Sprinkle a few spoonfuls of sugar inside,tilt the dish to coat the bottom and sides, then tip out any excess.
• 2. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
• 3. Using a rubber spatula or an electric mixer with the paddle attachment, mash the very soft butter with the lemon zest and cornstarch until completely smooth. Beat in the egg yolks until smooth, then whisk in the fromage blanc.
• 4. With an electric mixer or by hand, whisk the egg whites with the salt in a clean, dry bowl (not plastic) until frothy. Increase the speed and beat until the whites begin to mound and hold their shape. While whipping, gradually add 10 tablespoons of the sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time. Once you've added all the sugar, beat until stiff.
• 5. Fold one-third of the beaten egg whites into the fromage blanc mixture, then fold in the remaining egg whites just until incorporated. It's okay to have some tiny bits of white; that's preferable to overfolding the batter.
• 6. Scrape the batter into the prepared baking dish, gently smooth the top, and sprinkle with the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons of sugar.
• 7. Bake on a middle rack (or slightly higher, if possible) for 30 minutes, until the top is browned and the soufflé is just set but still very jiggly in the center if you nudge it. Depending on your oven, this may take slightly less or more time. Rather than going by strict baking times, touch the center to tell when it's done. If you like your soufflé creamy in the middle, the center should feel rather soft, like runny pudding.
• If you like it more firm, you can bake it until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out pretty clean.