CHEFS' RECIPES
Rose geranium and lemon verbena cream with rhubarb and strawberries

Rose geranium and lemon verbena cream with rhubarb and strawberries

“Try looking in people’s gardens for the lemon verbena and rose geranium. Otherwise, you could always use rosewater or finely grated citrus rind instead.”

Serves 4

Cooking Time Prep time 15 mins, cook 10 mins (plus infusing, cooling, setting)



2   rhubarb stalks, cut into batons
100 gm   caster sugar
250 gm   strawberries, coarsely chopped
Rose geranium and lemon verbena cream
4 gm each   rose geranium and lemon verbena leaves, plus extra (optional) to serve
200 ml   pouring cream
60 gm   caster sugar
2   gelatine leaves (titanium strength), softened in cold water
150 gm   fromage frais (see note)
1   vanilla bean, scraped seeds only


1 For rose geranium and lemon verbena cream, bring leaves and 125ml cream to the boil in a small saucepan over high heat. Cook for 2 minutes, remove from heat, cover and stand for 5 minutes to infuse. Return to low heat, stir in sugar until dissolved, squeeze excess water from gelatine, add to pan, stir to dissolve, then strain through a fine sieve into a clean bowl. Add fromage frais and vanilla seeds and whisk until smooth. Whisk remaining cream until soft peaks form, fold into gelatine mixture and refrigerate until just firm.
2 Meanwhile, preheat oven to 200C. Spread rhubarb in a small roasting tray, scatter with sugar and roast until just tender (5-6 minutes). Refrigerate until cool. Combine in a bowl with strawberries and serve spooned over rose geranium and lemon verbena cream, scattered with extra leaves.

Note Fromage frais is available from select delicatessens. If unavailable, use crème fraîche.

This recipe is from the February 2010 issue of Australian Gourmet Traveller.

Drink Suggestion 2008 Vietti Moscato d’Asti.

RECIPE Matt Wilkinson, Circa, the Prince PHOTOGRAPHY John Laurie STYLING Lisa Featherby DRINK SUGGESTION Liam O'Brien


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