Strawberries Romanov

March 7, 2009
Rebecca
Desserts

strawberry-romanov-1

Nothing gets me all Forrest Gumpy the way strawberries do. I love strawberry cake, strawberry cupcakes, strawberry bellinis, strawberries and cream, strawberry pie, strawberry tarts, chocolate-covered strawberries and strawberry ice cream. I love strawberries in cereal, smoothies, salads and shortcake. I love them, because they are the perfect fruit – red, sweet, juicy, bite-sized AND they require no real prep. Unlike the lowly watermelon, strawberries don’t have huge seeds and rinds. No pits, no peels. Strawberries are the Fruit of Slackers. And they’re pretty.

To celebrate my most recent strawberry score – two pounds of Plant City, Florida’s finest – I made one of my favorite slacker-passing-as-sophisticated desserts: Strawberries Romanov.

Think of it as a more exotic take on strawberries and cream. Start with the ripest strawberries you can find, place them in a glass, and then mix the cream topping – a combination of sweetened whipped cream, softened vanilla ice cream, sour cream and as much Grand Marnier (or brandy or Cointreau) as your heart desires. Spoon the topping over the berries, find a sunny corner, and dig in. That little bit (or lotta bit) of boozy citrus will make this dessert seem indulgent, even though you can whip it up in less than five minutes. The perfect thing to coax spring to stay a while.

Strawberries Romanov
Adapted from Emeril Lagasse (Food Network)

Serves 2
6 ounces vanilla ice cream, softened
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup sweetened whipped cream
Orange-flavored liqueur, like Brandy, Cointreau or Grand Marnier, to taste
2 cups rinsed, hulled strawberries
Garnish: mint leaves, chocolate curls
1. Mix ice cream, sour cream and whipped cream together. Slowly add alcohol to taste.
2. Divide berries between two glasses. Top them with the cream mixture. Garnish with mint and chocolate.

Comments

Dana McCauley March 7th, 2009 at 4:41 pm
I am so envious that you have access to yummy good strawberries while we try to remain enthusiastic about apples and oranges….can’t wait for summer!
maggie March 7th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
Yum. Sounds delicious.
thebrunettebaker March 7th, 2009 at 10:29 pm
I never knew (or had thought about) Romanov being this simple. Our strawberries will be ripe for the picking in a few weeks & I’ll definitely make this luscious looking treat.
Elyse March 7th, 2009 at 11:29 pm
I love strawberries romanov!! I can’t wait to make it for myself. Talk about a simple and delicious dessert. Yummmy!
Wendy March 8th, 2009 at 7:16 pm
Sounds delicious. I love strawberries too. I buy palates full in the summer at the Farmers’ market. They’re so wonderful.
zestycook March 9th, 2009 at 5:07 am
This looks yummy! I cannot get enough strawberries. I will be sure to try this recipe:)
Delta Whiskey March 9th, 2009 at 10:54 am
Wow. I can’t begin to tell you how good that sounds and looks. I’ll take lots… of the booze and strawberries please.
The Duo Dishes March 9th, 2009 at 10:59 am
We’re lucky enough to get our hands on strawberries pretty easily too. Sweet, fresh berries. This is a good way to use them…especially the liquor addition!
ingrid March 9th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
LOL, ah, love some strawberries, do ya? I like fresh strawberries but hate strawberry flavored things, too sweet and artifical tasting.
Wondering if I fix this as a after dinner “snack” for my kiddos it would help ease them into bedtime better? LOL!
~ingrid
Michelle March 9th, 2009 at 6:37 pm
Wonderful looking Romanov. I am going to try this recipe!
carolina March 11th, 2009 at 8:56 pm
I want one!!! Looks gorgeous.
DeelishDish March 11th, 2009 at 10:26 pm
Me and Jennnnay was like peas and car-rots.
Kitchen Gadgets March 16th, 2009 at 1:58 pm
The white thing – is that cream or super crushed ice?
Rebecca March 16th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
It's a wayward white chocolate shaving.
Kayte March 19th, 2009 at 6:06 pm
Oh, wow…this looks terrific, with or without the shot. I have a thing for strawberries also…but what can you expect from a girl who grew up in Strawberry Point, Iowa? LOL. Strawberries grew naturally there (someone probably planted them originally, but no one could ever figure it out as it is out in the middle of nowhere in northeast Iowa)…that's how the town got it's name, the railroad conductor would always call out, "Strawberry Point….it's strawberry season boys, let's have unscheduled stop!" So, you see, it's REQUIRED, I MUST have a jones for the strawberry…with this dessert, I'm sure you could be an honorary Pointer, too!