Tag Archives: strawberry

Strawberry Cloud Cheesecake

A fluffy cloud like Strawberry mousse sits atop this luscious creamy Vanilla Cheesecake.

The BEST part is, it’s a 2 Ingredient Mousse. It also happens to be ridiculously easy. Normally I’m not someone to use an instant pack of anything but I happened to get a few packs of Jello thru a promotion, and I have to say the flavour was surprisingly delicious and my goodness, how easy. And sometimes it’s ok the take a shortcut…

The Cheesecake is a basic Vanilla Cheesecake to which I have added some Greek Yogurt, this adds a nice tanginess to balance out the sweetness.

So…back to the Strawberry Mousse, if you mix instant Jello with heavy cream, you won’t believe the awesomeness it creates! It’s like a fluffy cloud of soft mousse made in 1 minute!

I made this Cheesecake recipe with Valentine’s Day in mind, but you could make it anytime you’re in the mood for a decadent Strawberry dessert.

Prep time : 20 min.

Cooking time : 60 min.

Serves : 6

Ingredients mousse:

2 tbsp. Strawberry Jello
1 cup whipping cream

Ingredients vanilla cheesecake:

250 grs / 9 oz. cookies for crust
100 gr. / 1/2 cup melted butter
700 gr. / 3 cups+1 tbsp. cream cheese at room temperature
100 gr. / 3.5 oz. full fat Greek Yoghurt
3/4 cup sugar
1 tbsp. vanilla
1 tbsp. cornstarch
3 large eggs
Meringue kisses to decorate (optional)

Instructions:

1. Pre-heat oven to 160C/315F. Butter and line a 20cm/8″ loose-bottomed tin with baking parchment. Put the cookies in a plastic food bag. Flatten bag to remove excess air, then seal bag. Crush to crumbs using a rolling pin or alternatively blitz in a food processor. Transfer to a bowl, then pour over the melted butter. Mix thoroughly until the crumbs are completely coated. Tip them into the prepared tin and press firmly down into the base to create an even layer. Chill in the freezer while you make the filling.
2. In a large bowl or stand mixer beat cream cheese, yoghurt and sugar until combined and smooth, add the corn starch and vanilla and blend until well combined. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating until blended after each addition. Pour into crust. Place on a baking sheet.
3. Place in the middle of the oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until center is almost set. Turn off the oven and open the door just a tiny bit (I put a large wooden spoon in the opening or a folded tea towel), leave the cheesecake in the oven for another 30-60 minutes. This will prevent the cheesecake from cracking. Remove from oven and cool at room temperature until no longer warm to the touch. Then refrigerate for at least four hours but preferably overnight.

When you re ready to serve the Cheesecake make the Strawberry Cloud Topping by tipping one cup of whipping cream into a bowl. Start beating until it begins to thicken and add the two tablespoons of Strawberry Jello powder. Continue beating until cream is stiff and fluffy. Spread over the Vanilla Cheesecake and decorate if desired with meringue kisses.

Enjoy!

More Strawberry related goodies…

Strawberry Ice Cream Double Chocolate Chip Cookie Sandwiches (vegan)

9 Replies

These Strawberry Ice Cream Double Chocolate Chip Cookie Sandwiches are a great (weekend) project, fun to make and sooo delicious to eat. The kids will love helping you make them. You can assemble them completely ahead of time and keep them in the freezer, ready to eat at any time. The combination of chewy chocolate cookies and the fresh strawberry ice cream is the best ever.

Prep time : Cookies, 15 minutes plus baking. Ice cream, 10 minutes plus freezing
Cooking time: 12 minutes
Makes : 6 (large) Sandwiches

INGREDIENTS STRAWBERRY ICE CREAM;

• 300 grs / 10.5 oz , about 1 1/2 cups (frozen )Strawberries, hulled
• 4 tbsp. Agave Syrup or according to taste
• 1 tsp. Vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp. tapioca flour* (see notes)
• 1 cup Soy or Oat whipping cream

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Freeze the strawberries the night before if you are using fresh ones.
2. Put the strawberries with the agave syrup, the tapioca and vanilla in a blender and blend until very smooth.
3. Whip the soy cream until stiff peaks form and fold the strawberries thru the whipped cream.
4. Place in an ice cream maker or in a container in the freezer. If you freeze it in a container you need to whip it after about two hours to avoid crystallization. Freeze preferably over night, but it should be frozen after about 4 to 6 hours depending on your freezer.

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES:
WET INGREDIENTS;
• 1 tbsp ground flax plus 1 tsp. tapioca flour, plus 3 tbsp. water mixed
• 1/2 C. solid coconut oil/fat
• 3/4 C. coconut sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
DRY INGREDIENTS;
• 1 cup plus 2 tbsp. (gluten free) flour
• 1/4 C. cocoa
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. pink Himalaya salt
• 1/8 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 C. mini vegan chocolate chips

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Start by soaking the flax/tapioca mix and let stand for about 10 minutes while you prepare the rest.
2. Mix all the dry ingredients in a bowl and whisk to combine.
3. In an other bowl, mix the wet ingredients and combine with the dry.
4. At this point I like to place the cookie dough on a piece of parchment paper and roll it into a cylinder.
5. Then I place it in the refrigerator for at least two hours or if you are in a hurry in the freezer for half an hour.
6. This will give you the perfect cookie consistency when baking. They dough needs to be really cold!!!
7. Then when you’re ready to bake, pre heat the oven to 175° C / 350° F
8. Shape dough into balls and press them a little flat with your hand. Lay them onto the baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
9. Bake for 12 minutes.
10. The cookies may look a little soft still but they will continue to cook on the baking sheet as thy cool.
11. When you take them out of the oven, immediately press on a few more chocolate chips, for prettiness. And because it’s so darn delicious!
12. Let cool completely. I keep mine in the refrigerator because I love how they become chewy.
13. To make the ice cream sandwich, take two cookies. Scoop out one big ball of strawberry ice cream*(see notes) and place it on one cookie. Gently press down with a spoon first and then place the second cookie on top being careful not to break.
14. Press the sandwiches in some sprinkles if you like.

Notes:

1). Seeing tapioca as an ice cream ingredient may seem odd at first, but it actually makes the ice cream so much creamier.

2). I scooped the ice cream balls ahead of time and placed them in a container and back into the freezer until I was ready to “build” the sandwiches.

Enjoy!

Strawberry Grilled Halloumi Salad with Honey Balsamic Dressing

2 Replies

Halloumi or Challoumi or hellim is a semi-hard, unripened, slightly springy brined cheese traditionally made from a mixture of goat’s and sheep’s milk, and sometimes also cow’s milk. It has a high melting point and so can easily be fried or grilled. Originally from Cyprus, Halloumi is generally served during the warmer months with watermelon, due to its refreshing qualities. But pairs beautifully with any kind of fruit. Personally I love it best when grilled. The trick is to grill on high for a very short time, to keep it soft on the inside.
It balances perfectly with anything sweet because of the slight saltyness. Perfect for over a salad.

Prep time : 10 minutes
Cooking time : 2 minutes
Serves : 2-4

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 large bags of prepared salad mix, about 10-14 oz. / 300-400 gr.
• 1 block Halloumi, drained and patted dry
• 1 cup Strawberries, washed, de-crowned and sliced in half
• 1 or two Avocados
• 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
• 1/4 cup sliced Spring onions
• 1/4 cup whole Basil leafs
• 1 cucumber, peeled
• 1/2 cup radishes, sliced
• 1 passion fruit, pulp only (optional)

HONEY BALSAMIC DRESSING:

• 4 tablespoons thick balsamic vinegar.
• 2 tablespoons honey.
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard.
• pinch of salt.
• freshly ground black pepper.
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Get out a large serving platter, plate or salad dish and place all the lettuce leafs in the bowl.
2. Place all the ingredients for the dressing in a jar and shake well to combine. Set aside until ready to use.
3. Slice the cucumber in half lengthwise and again each half in half. Then cut into thick slices, so you end up with thick quarters. Arrange on top of the lettuce leafs.
4. Next divide all the radishes on top of the salad.
5. Scoop out the Avocado using a small spoon and place avocado on the salad.
6. Place the Strawberries on top and arrange all the basil leafs, tucking them in here and there so some are still visible.
7. Heat a griddle pan until hot. Slice the Halloumi into 1/4″ slices (1/2 cm).
8. Put the slices in the griddle pan and grill each side for one minute.
9. Place on top of the salad as soon as them come out of the pan.
10. Scoop the passion fruit pulp over the Halloumi.
11. Sprinkle with pine nuts and spring onion slices and serve straight away with plenty of the Honey Balsamic Dressing.

Enjoy!!
Myra XO