Roasted Strawberries with Lime Parfait and Watermelon Ice (Dessert)

Recipe created by Deanie Fox

Edible flowers add an unexpected note to these roasted strawberries served in their own consommé with lime parfait and shards of watermelon ice.

Servings: Serves 4-6

Ingredients:
Strawberries:
•1 vanilla bean
•2 pints strawberries , tops removed
•1/2 cup sugar
•8 lemon verbena leaves ; available at farmers' markets
•Zest and juice of 1 lemon
•Pinch of salt

Lime parfait:
•3 egg yolks , at room temperature
•3 Tbsp. sugar
•1/2 cup heavy cream
•4 ounces plain whole milk yogurt
•Zest and juice of 2 limes
•Pinch of salt


Watermelon ice:
•1/2 small seedless watermelon (about 1 pound), rind removed, cubed
•Juice of 2 limes
•1/4 cup sugar
•Edible flowers , for garnish (optional)

Directions:

To prepare strawberries: Preheat oven to 250°. Split vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape out seeds. Mix pod, seeds, strawberries, sugar, and lemon verbena in a large mixing bowl.

Spread in a ceramic baking pan and place in oven. Roast, stirring occasionally, until strawberries are soft and juicy, about 1 hour. Remove from oven; discard verbena leaves and pod. Add remaining ingredients. Cool to room temperature or refrigerate until ready to serve.

To make lime parfait: Place yolks in the bowl of a stand mixer. Start whisking on low speed with the whip attachment.

In a small pot, bring sugar and 1 1/2 tablespoons water to 240° on a candy thermometer.

With mixer still on low speed, pour hot sugar syrup into yolks in a slow and steady stream. Turn mixer up to medium-high and continue whipping until yolks are pale and fluffy, about 10 minutes.

In a separate bowl, whip cream until medium peaks form; set aside. Whisk yogurt, zest, and lime juice into yolks. Gently fold yolk mixture into the whipped cream. Add salt; stir to combine. Spoon or pipe into round molds and freeze for several hours until firm.

To make watermelon ice: Place watermelon, lime juice, and sugar in a blender. Puree, then strain into 9" x 13" dish. Freeze until firm, then scrape surface with a fork to form ice shards.

To serve, place molded lime parfait in the middle of a bowl. Spoon strawberries and their consommé around the parfait, then top with shaved watermelon ice and garnish with edible flowers.

From Oprah.Com