April 30, 2012

Pecan Strawberry Shortcake

Strawberries (n): little red packages of plump joy that miraculously spring from the earth.

I have always been fascinated by growth. That a plant emerges from a discrete package of instructions that is a seed, and then that plant pulls through its roots and vasculature the elements needed to assemble something as lovely and complex as a strawberry - that is a marvel and a beautiful thing. This year's marvels are destined for shortcake, and maybe jam if I get out to the u-pick farm.


Ingredients
  • 2 cups unbleached flour
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1 beaten egg
  • 2/3 cup milk
  • 1 tbsp finely shredded orange peel
  • 1 tbsp vanilla
  • 6 cups sliced fresh strawberries
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 cup whipping cream
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla

Method
  1. In a large bowl, combine flour, chopped pecans, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles a coarse meal.
  2. In a small bowl, lightly beat egg, then add milk, orange peel, and vanilla.
  3. Pour the milk mixture into the flour mixture. Stir gently just until moistened.
  4. Form six cakes by dropping batter by spoonfuls onto a lightly greased baking sheet.
  5. Bake in a 450F oven for 13 minutes, or until the cakes are golden. Remove from the baking sheet immediately and cool on a wire rack.
  6. In a medium bowl, combine the strawberries and 1/4 cup of sugar. Let stand for at least 20 minutes to allow strawberry juice to seep from the berries.
  7. In a medium bowl, beat the whipping cream, powdered sugar, and 1 tsp vanilla.
  8. To assemble, cut the shortcakes in half horizontally. Layer each shortcake as shown in the photo. Makes 6.


Om nom nom! :D
5:00