Each month is like a new chapter. Now that we have entered the beginning of summer months, I can only see one colour, red. Vermillion red, crimson red, cardinal red, scarlet red. As long as it’s a juicy and sweet red, just like the strawberries at Caroline and Michel Arnould from Domaine de la Fosse. I am enamoured with their charming farmhouse in St Vivien de Médoc, their passion for all things natural and most of all their amazingly sweet and beautiful strawberries. They cultivate the Lambada variety, so plump and aromatic, renowned for its delectable taste and fragility. We spent a gourmand afternoon picking strawberries, perhaps one of the greatest pleasures in life. Nothings beats that fine moment when you pick a firing red heart-shaped strawberry, so unbelievably sweet. No wonder they symbolize perfection and love.
Once picked, it’s best to consume them within 24 hours. So this is when my story really starts.
As my eyes are bigger than my stomach, I went back home with a full crate. We munched on them as we went home, then the kids had them for their goûter snack after school. So many strawberries, so little time. I love classic strawberry tarts, and recently made little dome tartlets, so I wanted something… more. I always act upon desire, and I couldn’t resist the combination of cream and mascarpone to be involved. As we live in Médoc, red wine was a must. My husband Oddur requested strawberries and red wine, and I added the bed of chantilly and mascarpone vanilla cream. As we tasted them, it felt like falling in love all over again. Then I made the iconic mille feuille, something I can never resist in any pâtisseries, especially the ones at Stohrer in Paris. I enjoyed piping little miniature domes between the strawberries to create my very own thousand sheets of happiness. And for the last one (always the best for last), I just wanted to share my favourite strawberry recipe ever. Because my palate has never forgotten that pistachio and strawberries are the best of friends.
For those who are interested, the Arnould have charming little ‘gîtes’ at Domaine de la Fosse (fully equipped holiday home). Can you imagine staying there during strawberry picking season?
Strawberry mille feuille
(serves 6)
230 g/ 1/2 pound strawberries
250-300 g/ 9-10 ounces ready rolled puff pastry
120 ml whipping cream
80 ml mascarpone
1 & 1/2 tbsp rose water
Icing sugar, for dusting
2 vanilla pods (cut a slit on the entire length and scrape off the beans with the tip of your knife)
Preheat oven to 200°C/ 400F
For the pastry sheets:
Line a baking tray with parchment paper. Roll pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface – it should be as fine as possible. With a pastry cutter, cut out 3 identical rectangular sheets (3 per cake – 10 cm length/ 5 cm width approx.). Place the pastry on the lined tray. Sprinkle pastry with icing sugar (generously). Bake for 6 minutes, take pastry out and dust them again with icing sugar. Return to oven and bake for a further 6 minutes, or until golden and glazed. With a large knife, trim the edges of the pastry. Set aside and leave to cool completely.
For the cream:
120 ml/ 1/2 cup cream (for whipping)
80 ml/ 1/3 cup mascarpone
1 & 1/2 tbsp rose water
2 vanilla pods (cut a slit on the entire length and scrape off the beans with the tip of your knife)
2-3 tbsp icing sugar (sifted)
Mix all the ingredients (cream, mascarpone, vanilla beans, rose water and sugar) together and whisk for 4-5 minutes until stiff.
Pipe little domes of cream mixture on the pastry, and put the strawberries (if they are large cut in half or quarter) between the cream. Place another sheet of pastry on top and repeat steps. Sprinkle top layer of pastry with icing sugar.
Strawberries in wine with mascarpone cream
(serves 6)
350 g-400 g/ 3/4 – 1 pound strawberries
Slice strawberries in half or quarter depending on size. In a large bowl, pour 250 ml/ 1 cup red wine and add strawberries. Sprinkle sugar (50 g/ 1/4 cup) and stir. Cover and set aside in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.
For the cream:
180 ml/ 3/4 cup cream (for whipping)
120 ml/ 1/2 cup mascarpone
2 vanilla pods (cut a slit on the entire length and scrape off the beans with the tip of your knife)
2-3 tbsp icing sugar (sifted)
Mix all the ingredients (cream, mascarpone, vanilla beans and sugar) together and whisk for 4-5 minutes until stiff.
To serve:
Place a generous amount of cream mixture into dessert bowls or ramequins. Add the strawberries and wine sauce on top, according to taste.
Meringue with strawberries and pistachio sabayon
(serves 4)
300 g strawberries
2 egg whites
130 g/ 2/3 cup sugar
A few drops of fresh lemon juice
A pinch of salt
Preheat the oven to 120°C/ 248 F
For the meringues:
In a large glass bowl (make sure it’s grease-free), whisk egg white gradually from medium to high-speed. When the mixture gets frothy, add a pinch of salt and a few drops of lemon juice. Incorporate sugar slowly until you get stiff peaks. Prepare a parchment paper lined baking tray. You can either spoon little meringues onto the tray (swirl the spoon to shape), or use a piping bag with a round tip if you want smoother meringues (see photos) with a nice little peak. Bake in oven for 50 minutes (I used the lower heat of the oven only). Set aside to cool on a pastry rack.
For the pistachio sabayon:
3 egg yolks
60 g/ 1/3 cup sugar
3-4 tbsp Marsala wine
1 tbsp pistachio paste (more or less according to taste)
Whisk all the ingredients in a heat-proof bowl, except the pistachio paste, until smooth. Whisk over a double boiler, add the pistachio paste, and continue whisking until thickened. Serve within 15 minutes.
For the whipped cream:
150ml whipping cream
In a large bowl, whip cream with electric whisks until stiff. I don’t add sugar because I find the meringues have all the sweetness I need.
To assemble:
Place meringue on a serving plate, gently tap the top with a small spoon. Spoon whipped cream on top, place strawberries (sliced or not, depending on size) and drizzle pistachio sabayon according to taste.
they look so good, i haven’t eaten good ones for the moment
These Lambada variety are the sweetest ones I have ever tasted! You must try! Bonne journée, Mimix
The only good thing that has come from the long cold wet winter is that the strawberries this year are meant to be a fabulous crop and a very good “vintage”!
Oh I agree! The crops have been amazing, sadly nearly coming to the end. A few more days to enjoy! Bonne journée, Mimix
Ah Mimi I’ve been out shooting a sunrise in the Australian countryside, cold and hungry, putting together a post and you serve me up this! What a beautiful Ode to the Strawberry. Breakfast calls haha!
Thank you Margaret! I can just imagine how beautiful the Australian countryside must be! Have a lovely day, Mimix
I think our part of the world is not too dissimilar to yours in some ways. We even have our own French Patisserie, expats from Grasse 🙂
I wish I lived in Domaine Fosse. The French have the best life. La plus belle vie tous le monde, c’est vrai.
Thank you for dropping by Ciarra! You can stay at Domaine de la Fosse – they have gîtes for rent 🙂
You must feel so blessed to be surrounded by so many beautiful places and lovely people. I can only imagine how divine a day in a strawberry field in the French countryside must be.
My family owns a blueberry farm but picking them isn’t quite as romantic as this!
I forgot to mention in my earlier comment . . . I made your red cabbage and walnut tart this last weekend. I had a small dinner party and everyone loved it. I’m so glad I made them, honestly they were so delicious. 🙂
Thank you for sharing! It always makes my day to hear cheerful comments on my recipes! Merci! Wishing you many happy dinner parties this summer! Mimix
I would love to visit a blueberry farm! One of the perks of living in the country is being so close to all these wonderful farmers – I am learning so much everyday! Have a lovely day! Mimix
Looks divine! I like the pistachio topping, that is very different. I tried my first Mara de Bois strawberries here in California last weekend,the were amazing. Have you tasted them?
Bonjour Sarah! Thank you 🙂 Mara des bois is so delicious! I love the pistachio sabayon – it’s my favourite topping for strawberries (on a bed of meringues!) – it’s takes a few minutes to make. You can get pistachio paste in speciality cooking stores (I got mine at Detou in Paris). Have a lovely day, Mimix
Oh, how wonderful! The house is charming.
Bonjour Irina! Their farm house is so charming, just by the Gironde estuary – so charming! Bonne journée, Mimix
What a wonderful collaboration your words and your husband’s glorious visuals make. I am delighted everytime I see a new post arrive. Sadly it is not Strawberry season here in Australia but your descriptions are so evocative,my taste buds are tingling. I’m going to have to make one of those dishes this weekend with… gulp… foreign strawberries. Already planning at trip and including strawberry season at Domaine de la Fosse !
Bonjour Maggie! Thank you for your kind words! We all have to rely on foreign strawberries at some point, just like me around Christmas season 🙂 Oddur and I agreed that the strawberries in wine with the cream is the most elegant dessert I’ve made. I’ll be serving them next time I have a dinner party. How wonderful to hear you will visit Domaine de la Fosse! May/ June would be the best time – you will have strawberries everyday! Best, Mimix
Looks absolutely luscious. I love strawberries. Beautiful photos as always!
Merci Liz! Mimix
Ma chere Mimi.
If only our seasons were aligned….just for today. I would make your meringue with strawberries and pistachio sabayon. Just adore the colour contrast of the red and green in your photo. Sadly, we just don’t get that fantastic flavour from our varieties… whether they are in season or not, the exception being home grown or from a farmers market. Really going to have to investigate finding the Lambada variety for the garden. xx anita
Bonjour Anita! These lambada strawberries are the sweetes I have ever tasted – the feeling and taste when you get that first bite, freshly picked – priceless! The Lambada variety is often used in gastronomy because of their quality – I hope you’ll find them for your garden! Mimix
Dear Mimi.
I love love your blog and recipes. We have Starwberries season here in Maryland too. I will try all these recipes for sure. Do you preserve them for the rest of the year too.?
Bonjour! Thank you for dropping by! I can just imagine how lovely the strawberries in Maryland must be! What’s your favourite recipe? I enjoy making jam, especially with rhubarb. Mimix
Hi Mimi. Thank you for sharing your strawberry delights!! I’ll be sure to try out some of these recipes when strawberries come into season here in a few weeks…. Love your pictures, as always. So stunning! I also LOVE your teaspoons. I’ve noticed them before. They look vintage. Can you tell me what brand / pattern they are? Thank you!!!
Bonjour! It’s a pleasure to share. Thank you for visiting. Lucky you, your season starts in a few weeks – here it’s nearly over! As for the teaspoons, we got them at a local ‘brocantes’/ antique store. They always have a lovely variety of silver spoons. Bonne journée, Mimix
Oh Mimi, don’t you absolutely love strawberry season?! If there’s one single season that I look forward to most, it’s strawberry season. Such fond memories of picking them in my mother’s garden as a child! And they’re so perfect paired with mascarpone! (I just posted mascarpone filled, chocolate dipped strawberries 🙂 Was it you that posted the recipe for strawberry infused red wine last summer??? Another perfect combination. Loved this post! Enjoy all your gorgeous berries!!
Hi Rebecca! So lovely to see you here! I just had a look at your lovely recipe – I will try! Last summer I posted a strawberry wine cocktail (to have with plums and french toast) – a very decadent brunch 🙂 I was actually allergic to strawberries when I was a child , but somehow as I grew older the allergy disappeared – it’s just one of those things. Have a lovely day! Mimix
I thought that wine recipe came from Manger! I made it for my visiting family last summer and they were thrilled! Also, I wanted you to know that I made a variation of your mascarpone cream (with honey) to top my peach and sage flower galette. Thank you so much for giving me the idea and inspiration! The timing was perfect! (With a link back here, of course, within the post 🙂 ) Cheers, and have a very lovely morning! ~Rebecca
Oh.. I envy you Mimi.. strawberry is one of my favourite fruits.. I look on wistfully at your pics because strawberry season in India is Jan-Feb! what a beautifully idyllic post!
Bonjour! Thank you! What kind of variety of strawberries do you have in India? And what is your favourite dessert with strawberries? I am so curious! Mimix
This year I tried strawberries en papillote.. and I think that was the best way to showcase the strawberries.. the berries just sang!! it was beautiful!!
The strawberries are amazing at the moment… I do understand about not resisting! Now I know what to do with mine… 🙂
Bonjour Vicki! Caroline told me there are only a few days left for her strawberry fields! I am going to have strawberries everyday until then. By the way, you should try my strawberry wine cocktail recipe – it’s merveilleux! Here’s the link: http://mimithorisson.com/2012/09/30/mad-about-plums/! Bisous, Mimix
Am I the only person who thought “Who goes strawberry picking in a white shirt? … And doesn’t get a stain on it?” 😉 That’s why I love your blog — it’s my fantasy, whereas my reality would be an oversized chambray shirt with strawberry juice all over it 🙂
Bonjour! I know, in retrospect it’s not the best outfit for picking strawberries. My husband was quite disappointed I didn’t stain myself, he loves white cloths with stains, they probably remind him of a tablecloth in a restaurant after a sumptuous meal, not that I would stain that either. Also what you can’t see in the photos is that Squiffy, our 8 month old Fox Terrier was jumping all over me when I was in the field and the back of my shirt was covered in muddy paw-marks. So that shirt ended up in the washing machine anyway. Mimix
Stay glam, Mimi. I like your style!
The smaller the fruit the tastier it is. I find wild strawberries much better than farm-grown varieties. What do you think?
Bonjour! I love wild strawberries (especially with crème fraiche!), but this Lambada variety was exceptionally sweet! I was amazed! Mimix
Your blog is absolutely stunning. I am completely in love! x
Bonjour Christine! Thank you so much Mimixxx
This year my wild strawberries are exceedingly productive. But they never get as far as a recipe!
They pack a punch for such small beauties, with a taste like strawberry sherbert. Too delicious!
I’ll try and save some for at least one of your delicious creations.
Hello from sunny Médoc (finally!). Your wild strawberries sound amazing, enjoy the summer bliss! If I had to choose one from the blog for you… how about strawberries with red wine & cream? I think you will like it 🙂 Mimix
C’était sublime…
Merci Mimi!
I know what I will be buying at the market tomorrow. Some lovely new combinations. Thank you.
Enjoy! Merci Mimix
Just fell in love with the strawberries in wine and mascarpone. I’m sooooooo going to make that this weekend, mixed with fat dark cherries that just came from the countryside 🙂
Bonjour Maria! Now that sounds extra lovely, adding fat dark cherries to the wine! Enjoy! Mimix
the smell of strawberries is simply too tempting. i always end up eating them right away, altought i’d love a bite of this lovely mille feuille. unfortunately, due to bad weather and heavy rainfalls we don’t have a lot of strawberrys in austria this year…
Bonjour! So sorry to hear crops were low… but the good news is that you can improvise these recipes and replace with other berries or even plums (especially for the wine). Enjoy, Mimix
Mimi, it is wonderful how you focus on the seasonal and the local. As always, the photography is exquisite, particularly the bunny and pig portraits.
Bonjour Zelda! Thank you for always being so lovely! the Arnould’s farm so so big, filled with wonderful light, plants, animals, strawberries, we spent a wonderful afternoon, munching away on the sweetest strawberries! There were baby bunnies too! Have a lovely day, Mimixx
Looks so delicious!!!:) Thanks for sharing such great recipes!
Thank YOU Natalie! I hope you will enjoy them! Mimix
This is so so lovely! Beautiful pictures and delicious looking recipes. It brings back memories of running through my grandparents’ garden as a child when all the strawberries were ready to be eaten. Their perfume in the sunshine was just fantastic.The wonders of a French garden…
Hello Yolène! Whatwonderful memories to share! Thank you! Mimix
Greetings from London Mimi, your posts make me so happy and make my days. Love all the details and photos are beautiful. Delicious recipes Love! xo
PS sent you an email
Bonjour lovely Rowaida! I was just sending you an email! Thanks for sharing all your lovely photos! Love from Médoc, Mimix
Hi Mimi-
Your photos are absolutely beautiful. I feel like I was out picking strawberries with you! I just learned to make sabayon last week and will have to try out your version. Thanks for another gorgeous post!
Bonsoir Lauren! Thank you so much! Glad to have transported you for a few moments in my corner of the world. I hope you will enjoy the pistachio sabayon! Mimix
Hello MimI,
I love the colours n contrast in the first picture with the ivy n the strawberry on dark background .next time I visit France will surely visit Medoc.
Thank you! Please do come and visit Medoc! Mimix
Dear Mimi,
I love your blog–I always tell my friends that in my next life I want to be you 🙂 In my current, I’m trying to cook (occassionally) some of your recipes for the French hubbie–he’s also a huge fan, especially of the chocolate tarte! Is there anyway to print your recipes on one sheet somewhere on the website–and WHEN are you writing a cookbook????
Bonsoir Amanda! I am SO flattered by your words, especially glad to hear that you and your hubbie enjoyed the chocolate tart! A big favourite of mine 🙂 I will try my best to add the ‘friendly print’ option – many readers have asked and I just have to do it! So promise I will add it very soon! Just got your email – will respond soon! Bious, Mimix
Hello Mimi! Ca fait un moment que je lis votre blog… de l’ile Maurice! Merci de partager toutes ces photos & recettes & adresses!! D’ailleurs nous serons dans le coin pour l’été & grâce a votre article sur les fraises, nous avons peut-etre trouver un gite! 😉
Bonsoir Rebecca! Quel plaisir de lire vos commentaires – vous vivez au paradis – quelle chance vous avez de vivre à l’île Maurice! Super pour le gîte – amusez-vous bien cet été! Mimix
Dear Mimi, what a lovely post! Your blog is not only a culinary source of inspiration to me, it also reminds me of the importance of finding the time to cook for your loved ones, of treasuring timeless moments and taking care of yourself- you always look divine!
Thank you for all the lovely things you share, your writing is beautiful.
Oh and your beetroot tart and the brokkoli pasta were so so good, my family and I loved it!
Bonsoir Mina! Thank you so much for your kind words – you can’t imagine how honoured I am to read your comment. Cooking, sharing, caring – it’s all about love. Merci for making me happy! Bonne soirée, Mimix
OMG, your blouse was still white after walking with a crate full of those perfectly red strawberries……….
I would never have managed that! Overhere, in Holland, the sun only started to shine yesterday! So our strawberries are far from being ‘ripe’, sweet, fruitfull etc. Once more I envie your seemingly so sunny life in ‘la douce France’ Best regards, Mieke
Bonjour Mieke! Yes, I am a bit of a stain freak! However, that did not last too long as our dog Squiffy was climbing all over my back while I was strawberry picking! Lots of muddy paw marks on my back! 🙂
Beautiful, romantic shots! I absolutely adore strawberries, in every way and of every variety. The mille feuille is on my plans for the weekend.
P.S. Your Italian pear cake is now our favorite cake recipe and that of my friends and co-workers;-)
Bonjour Cinthya! I hope you will enjoy the mille feuille! So happy to hear you enjoy the Italian pear cake! Once in a while I will serve it with a big dollop of whipped cream and dark chocolate shavings. Bon the week-end! Mimix
Ooooh, Mimi, stop giving me ideas, hahahaha. I mean to ask you, do you use a phone or a camera to take your pictures? They always look so magical. Have a magical weekend!
My husband takes the pictures, he is a photographer. He uses a Canon, but as he always says, photography is not about the equipment, it’s about what’s in front of you. Enjoy the recipes! Bon week-end, Mimix
Oh, how wonderful! The only ‘problem’ I have is which to make first!? Thanks for sharing your wonderful adventures and friends!
P.S. Normally we’re picking strawberries here in Michigan, but, they’re a little late this year.
Hello, Shalom!
🙂
It is the first time I’m here and I love everything I see!
Great Pic’s and very good taste.
Have a great weekend,
Sharona, Israel.
Oh Madame, vos photos me coupent le souffle, et je peux sentir le parfum des fraises!
Merci! Anita
Bonjour Mimi !
J’ose enfin te laisser un commentaire… mon premier je crois (alors que je te lis depuis assez longtemps). J’aime vraiment vraiment beaucoup ton blog, ta cuisine simple faite d’aliments sains et savoureux (tu as atteint des records dans mon coeur avec ton billet sur les artichauts- que j’aime par dessus tout !) mais c’est drôle, je ne me suis jamais sentie si peu Française depuis que je te lis! Je suis expatriée au Canada (à Montréal) et le coin de France, TA France, que je vois sur ton blog me fait rêver… très “French country living” et loin de la tristoune Paris que je connais. Bref, mon commentaire n’a ni queue ni tête, mais, c’était simplement pour dire que tu es inspirante (et un grand bravo au mari aussi pour les belles photos !) et que tu me donnerais *presque* envie de revenir au pays tiens ! (… mais Montréal est si chouette ! 🙂 ) À bientôt.
Lucky you, I’m still waiting for this sweet delicious fellows to come to Berlin 🙂
Your blog, recipes & pics. are truly breathtaking. Yours is the epitome of natural beauty, grace & style. Just can’t get enough, many thanks!
When I think strawberries, I think strawberry and custard tarts, strawberry ice-cream and chocolate fondue with fresh strawberries so thank you so much for sharing some different, unique and appetizing dishes!
Those strawberries look so plump and sweet, I wish it was Summer in Australia so that I could go picking this weekend!
Mimi, we are just getting our first local berries here in Montreal and I am nearly as smitten as you. My little Clara is scooping them up and stuffing her cheeks as fast as she can, and I want to do the same.
Such lovely recipes. I’m inspired. Thank you.
These sound yummy! Must try but also so little time 🙂 I have got to make 30 jars of strawberry jam till next week, maybe I’ll squize one recipe between. Are you jammaking Mimi? I made the acacia fritters- perfection!
This is exactly how I like to serve berries–spectacular in its simplicity.
Was so excited when I read the words pistachio paste. Here in the States pistachios can be sad stale salty creatures. I will be sure to ask for some paste at my local foodie store. While the strawberries are lovely, I prefer the raspberry which season is rapidly approaching! Delightful blog Mimi!
SUCH gorgeous, luscious strawberries! Heaven.
Bonjour! I have to thank you for sharing the strawberry in wine with mascarpone cream recipe. I made it yesterday and it was absolutely delicious! Thanks again!