Berry Good

How do you know a really good Strawberry, Raspberry? Blueberry or Blackberry?
One that needs no adorning with anything? No sticky, sickly sweet syrup- or jam, to hide and not enhance it's delicate almost imperceptible flavour?
Slice the strawberries in quarters, and put in a bowl with the whole blueberries and blackberries, some pitted black cherries and even sliced fresh apricots if you like, add a dash of granulated or powdered sugar, some lightly whipped heavy cream, a few tablespoons of sour cream of plain yogurt, stir together and then stir in a handful of some chopped fresh black mint, or lemon mint, a few zests of lemon of lime rind and the juice of 1/4 of a lemon.
Serve this creation in pre-chilled bowls, and add a dash of Angostura bitters to create a cadre of the unknown. For an added crunch factor, a handful of some lightly toasted and coarsely chopped macadamia nuts, almonds or hazelnuts often hit the spot.
Perfect at the end of a summer back yard barbecue, or on a late, lazy afternoon in the failing dusk light of sunset, paired with a glass of slightly chilled Chardonnay wine.

Copyright - Alison West 2009