One of my favorite desserts to make in the summer is a fresh fruit napoleon. They are extremely easy to prepare and when presented everyone is just amazed on how beautiful they are. When they taste it it takes them to a place of pure bliss.
1 package of phyllo dough
20-30 fresh strawberries
a handful fresh blueberries
3 mint sprigs
1 half gallon of heavy cream
1/2 cup butter melted
powdered sugar
bourbon vanilla
white or brown sugar
Preheat oven to phyllo dough instructions
Thaw philo on the counter under a damp towel until playable. On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper take one piece of phyllo, brush it with melted butter and sprinkle a generous amount of sugar on top of the butter, this will act as glue. Repeat this 5 or six times. Make three or four stacks of phyllo, pop into the oven and cook until brown. Cool and set aside.
Take your cream and put into an electric mixer, add 1/4 cup of sugar and a tbsp of bourbon vanilla. Put mixer on medium high and mix until you have hard peaks. Set aside in a cool place.
Now you build the tower, Pastry, then whipped cream, then berries, again then top an put a dollop of cream in the middle. Garnish with a mint sprig and more berries.
Refrigerate until serving.
Now you can put your own spin on this, make individuals or different shapes. Make tall ones and small ones. Substitute different fruit and puff pastry instead of phyllo. Have fun the cream, if kids aren't eating it put your favorite spirit in to the mix.
Make the kitchen your playground, try new and exciting things that will make your friends and family smile from their stomach. Let me know if you try this and tell me how it goes.
Happy cooking
