Strawberry Bavarian Creme Elegante

Description
Fresh ruby red strawberries give your taste buds a treat. The juice is sweet and tantalizing. Even the aroma of fresh berries excites the palate and prepares the way for a great adventure in eating. Try this recipe as you partake of a fruit that is luscious, beautiful in color, and heavenly in any menu plan. Enjoy!
 * Contributed by ©Arleen M. Kaptur March 2002, Author of books and articles on living a simple, rustic lifestyle - and getting the most from each and every day. Excerpt from strawberry/chocolate Recipes by Arleen M. Kaptur
 * Arleen Kaptur may be contacted at http://www.arleenssite.com akaptur@centurytel.net
 * http://www.ideamarketers.com/library/profile.cfm?writerid=3502 to view more of her articles.

Ingredients

 * 1½ cups fresh strawberries, washed, hulled, and sliced
 * 2 envelopes unflavored gelatin
 * ½ cup sugar
 * 1¼ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
 * 2¼ cups cold milk, divided
 * 1 tsp vanilla extract
 * 1 cup cold heavy whipping cream

Strawberry Creme

 * ½ pint cold heavy whipping cream
 * 1 tsp vanilla extract
 * 2 – 3 drops red food coloring

Directions

 * 1) Using a 6-cup ring mold - lightly oil.
 * 2) Drain the strawberry slices, but keep the liquid. Add water to the strawberry juice to equal ¾ cup.
 * 3) Sprinkle gelatin over the liquid and let stand for 3 mins. Refrigerate the drained berries.
 * 4) In pan, combine the Sugar, chocolate chips and 1/2 cups milk.
 * 5) Cook gently over low heat, stirring constantly until mixture is very smooth and hot.
 * 6) Add the gelatin mixture, stirring constantly, until gelatin is completely dissolved and the entire mixture is integrated. Remove from heat, add remaining milk and vanilla.
 * 7) Pour into bowl. Refrigerate for 1 hr. Check to see if mixture mounds when dropped from spoon.
 * 8) If not, continue keeping in refrigerate and repeat checking.
 * 9) Using a mixer, beat the heavy cream until stiff; fold into the chocolate mixture.
 * 10) Pour into the prepared mold and refrigerate 3 hrs. Unmold and garnish with Strawberry Creme.

Strawberry Creme

 * 1) Mash refrigerated strawberries. Using mixer, beat whipping cream and vanilla until stiff.
 * 2) Fold in mashed strawberries and red food coloring. (Use enough coloring to give a pretty pink hue to the mixture.)