Summer Desserts

We bought a flat of strawberries a few days ago, and were left singularly unmoved by the flavor of the raw fruit (excessive rain has played havoc with California's early summer produce). On Monday we made a cobbler, because it was cool enough to turn on the oven, but tonight required something else.

Strawberry topping for ice cream (serves 3 or 4):
1 cup strawberries
Sugar to taste
Juice of 1/2 lime
1 tablespoon Grand Marnier

Cut 1/3 of the strawberries into small pieces, and heat in saucepan over low heat with lime juice and sugar until strawberries get mushy. Stir in Grand Marnier and rest of strawberries (halved or quartered). Heat only until strawberries are warmed. Serve immediately, spooned over vanilla ice cream. Garnish with a cookie--orange or chocolate flavored work well.


Also, having turned 21 this year, I am still exploring the wonderful world of alcoholic beverages. My dessert last night was a little creme de menthe and cream over ice--cools down the throat, and warms the head a little. Sadly, I haven't yet had the chance to try the full Grasshopper--the above, with creme de cacao--since we didn't have any creme de cacao in the house.