Perfect strawberries and whipped cream -- You can use
store-bought whipped topping for this Valentine's Day classic, but homemade tastes so much better. Start by putting a bowl in the freezer for at least an hour. The colder the bowl, the faster the cream will stiffen. Use powdered sugar to sweeten instead of granulated sugar, so the topping will hold its shape better and have a smooth texture.
Vanilla extract is great for flavoring, but try substituting rum, Grand Marnier or banana liqueur. Combine one cup of heavy whipping cream, a tablespoon of sugar and a teaspoon of flavoring in the chilled bowl with a hand or an electric French whip, not a whisk. French whips are designed to add air which produces a light and fluffy topping, while whisks are made for stirring. Whip ingredients until soft peaks form. Do not over whip. If you do, you will end up with butter.
Bosc pears poached in red wine -- This is a wonderful dessert for Valentine's Day because it's healthy, delicious and contains herbs called maca root and yohimbe which are great for the libido. Maca root enhances women's reproductive organs. Yohimbe does the same for men. I also recommend this dish because Bosc pears are in season. See my recipe below.
Learn more about Von Der Pool's exotic vegan and raw food cuisine at vonderpoolgourmet.com.
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Bosc pears poached in red wine (serves 2)Ingredients *2 Bosc pears, peeled and cored
*2 cups of red wine
*1/4 cup of agave nectar
*2 star anise
*Cinnamon stick
*Vanilla bean
*Fresh sage leaf
*1 to 2 Tbsps. extra virgin coconut oil
*Coconut milk based ice cream
(available at Whole Foods)*1/4 tsp. dried maca root
(available at health food stores)*1/4 tsp. dried yohimbe
(available at health food stores)
Directions1) Pour red wine into medium sauce pan.
2) Add agave nectar, star anise, cinnamon stick and pears.
3) Cut vanilla bean in half, scrap out oily seeds and add them to pear mixture.
4) Simmer ingredients over medium heat until pears are tender, but not mushy (about 10 to 15 minutes.)
5) Discard star anise and cinnamon stick when pears are done.
7) In small pan, fry sage leaf in coconut oil over medium-hi heat for about 30 seconds; drain leaf on paper towel.
8) Serve pears with ice cream.
9) For the female's serving, sprinkle maca root over one or two scoops of ice cream, then top with pears, sage leaf and pear sauce.
10) For the male's serving, substitute the yohimbe for the maca root.
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