02/08/2012
Good Morning -
Valentines Day is less than a week away and I know that everyone is busy making plans for the special day. I wanted to share with you one of my favorite desserts here at the Walt Disney World Resort.
Yachtsman Steakhouse,
Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort
Strawberry Shortcake with Lemon Cornbread
Ingredients
Grand Marnier Strawberries:
7 1/2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
1/3 cup Grand Marnier
3 tablespoons sugar
Lemon Cornbread:
1/2 cup canola oil
1 1/4 cups whole milk
2 eggs
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
11/4 cups sugar
2 tablespoons baking powder
1/2 cup cornmeal
1/4 cup lemon juice
3 tablespoons fresh lemon zest
Fresh whipped cream, creme fraiche or vanilla ice cream, for serving
Lemon Syrup:
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup lemon juice
Zest of 1/2 lemon
Instructions
Grand Marnier Strawberries
1. Combine 1 1/2 cups strawberries, Grand Marnier and sugar in a blender, blending until smooth.
2. Combine remaining strawberries with pureed mixture in a large mixing bowl. Set aside to marinate.
Lemon Cornbread
1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Grease and flour 13 X 9 X 2-inch baking pan.
2. Beat oil, milk and eggs in a large bowl using an electric mixer.
3. Sift together flour, sugar and baking powder in a separate bowl. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet, stirring until smooth.
4. Stir in cornmeal, then lemon juice and zest.
5. Transfer the batter to the prepared baking pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached, about 40 minutes.
Lemon Syrup
1. Mix sugar and water in a small saucepan; bring to a boil over high heat.
2. Reduce heat to medium and continue to cook for 1 minute.
3. Remove from heat and add lemon juice and zest.
4. If not using immediately, refrigerate in an airtight container.
To Serve
1. Cut cooled cornbread into 12 squares, trimming off top crust.
2. Drizzle each square of cornbread with 1 tablespoon of lemon syrup. Allow syrup to soak in for 2 to 3 minutes.
3. In a buttered frying pan, sear both sides of cornbread until golden brown.
4. Top cornbread square with Grand Marnier strawberries, top with whipped cream, creme friche or vanilla ice cream.
Serves 12
So impress your friends and family with your culinary abilities!