My Nanny's Recipes - #1

Balsamic Strawberry Shortcake
Summer reminds me of my nanny's strawberry shortcake. I got the recipe from her a few years ago. She was our nanny for 12 years. All good memories.

2 pints strawberries, tops removed and sliced 1/8 inch thick
1 stick cold butter, cubed
2 eggs
3/4 milk
1/2 cup sour cream
1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 1/2 tsp lemon juice
3 cups flour
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup white sugar plus 3 tbs sugar for toppings
1 tbs white vinegar
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tbs balsamic glaze

You will need:
4 mixing bowls
Whisk
Large tray greased or lined with parchment
Measuring cups/spoons
Cutting board
Chopping knife
Ice cream scoop

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In one bowl- add the sliced strawberries, 2 tbs of sugar, balsamic glaze, lemon juice and a tiny pinch of salt. Mix together well and allow to macerate in the fridge while you make the biscuits.

In a clean bowl add flour, baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 cup sugar. Using your fingers add the very cold butter (I like to cube mine and then set it up in the freezer for 5 minutes) to the dry ingredients. Rub the butter into the dry ingredients creating a grainy sand texture. Set aside.

Janet Kruskamp

In the other bowl add milk and vinegar. Allow to sit for a few minutes and then add the eggs, vanilla extract, and sour cream. Mix well with a whisk.

Pour the wet bowl into the butter incorporated dry bowl. Mix until it just comes together. Do not over mix.

Using an ice cream scoop- place the biscuits on the greased or parchment lined tray. Put into the oven and bake for 18-20 minutes. Remove once the tops are slightly golden and they are spongy but firm to the touch.

While biscuits bake- add the heavy cream and remaining 1 tbs of sugar to the last clean bowl. Blend using your hand mixer (or tough it out and do it by hand)- until you get soft peaks. You do not want to over mix your whipped cream.

Once biscuits have cooled for a few minutes assemble your shortcakes your way. I like to cut the biscuits in half and fill them with the whipped cream and strawberries.

Is there something special your nanny made or makes for you? Share it here with a shout to her and how great she is/was! isynblog@gmail.com