27 March 2014  8:24a, PDT (or are we on PST?  I can ne'er remember)

Here is the strawberry mousse recipe we were (supposedly) following in yesterday's class:

2 lbs strawberries, washed and hulled
1/2 c. (3.5 oz.) granulated sugar
pinch salt
1 3/4 t unflavored gelatin
4 oz. cream cheese, softened and cut into small pieces
1/2 c. heavy cream, chilled

Slice enough strawberries to measure 1 cup;  refrigerate until ready to serve.  Pulse remaining strawberries in food processor/blender until they're in large, soft chunks.  Transfer to bowl and add 1/4 cup sugar and salt.   Set aside until juices run out of berries and form a sweet syrup.

Strain strawberries through sieve, or squeeze through cheesecloth (if you want to;  we skipped this step and had a chunkier texture in the mousse) if you want a really smooth mousse.  Measure small amount (the recipe calls for 3T, but I think more like a half-cup would've worked better) juice and sprinkle gelatin over it, allowing it to soften.  Cook all juice over medium-high heat until reduced by about two-thirds, about 10 minutes (you are supposed to have about 3T reduced juice and gelatin).  Add remaining strawberry puree (or juice) and whisk until incorporated.

Using a clean bowl (who on earth would use a dirty one?), whip cream to soft peaks.  Gradually add remaining 1/4 cup sugar and whip until stiff peaks form. Whisk cream into strawberry mixture until no white streaks remain.  Pour into dessert dishes and chill for at least 4 hours (we took ours home still warm), up to 48 hours.  Allow mousse to sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving with a dollop of whipped cream and sliced strawberries.

I was glad to have Liz there, as she's also an improvisor, I think, when it comes to cooking, though she appears to be less confident in making changes than I am.  I am very much a "tinkerer" when it comes to cooking and baking!

I participated less in the making of the strawberry mousse; I just heated the strawberry puree and whisked in the cream cheese.  The mousse has a nice pink color;  I'll taste it with my second cup of coffee this morning.

I need to motivate myself to go to the gym for a walk/run on the treadmill (5 km, in intervals of 5 minutes:  to walking, three running), and for some resistance training (weights)...  All that mousse has to go somewhere, doesn't it?