Easy Berry Mousse

1 ½ cups fresh or frozen berries

1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream

3 tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

1. If you use fresh berries, add a couple tablespoons of water to a small saucepan and cook for about 10 to 15 minutes or until the berries are softened. Frozen berries will already have enough water to aid in cooking. 

2. Cool for about ½ hour and pour cooked berries into a blender and puree for a minute or so. Set these aside.

3. Whip the heavy cream with a mixer or hand blender and add the sugar and vanilla when the cream has thickened. 

4. Pour the berry mixture into the whipped cream and fold gently. The berries do not have to be mixed uniformly with the whipped cream. The mousse is a little prettier if it is slightly variegated. Pour into custard cups and garnish with a piece of dark chocolate or a whole berry.

5. Refrigerate for a few hours. If you need to refrigerate overnight, cover the containers with plastic wrap.

6. Serve as a light dessert or afternoon snack.

The longer the shelf life of what you are eating, the shorter yours will be. Alejandro Junger

Goat Cheese Crepes

Crepes are mostly eggs with a small amount of milk and flour. In this particular recipe, I used almond milk and coconut flour to accommodate people with dairy and wheat sensitivities. But other types of milk and flour could be used as well. Even if you think you do not care for goat cheese, you will be surprised at what a delicious mixture it makes combined with the apple butter. There is a sweet and tangy flavor that is just a little lighter and fresher than crepes made with ricotta or cream cheese.

4 eggs

1 cup milk

2/3 cup flour

Salt and vanilla

Mix 6 ounces of goat cheese with 6 ounces of spiced apple butter. This will be a little easier if the goat cheese sits at room temperature for an hour or so prior to stirring.

Make the crepes in a large skillet with a small amount of oil on the bottom. Spray coconut oil works well and adds flavor as well. Fry these on low and stack with paper towels between them. This recipe should make about six crepes.

When the crepes are all ready, put a couple ounces of the goat cheese mixture on each crepe and wrap. You can plate these seam side down and garnish with sour cream and/or apple butter.  You can also place the crepes in a casserole dish with a tiny amount of butter or oil on the bottom and cover with aluminum foil if you are making these ahead. When you are ready to serve them, put the casserole in a 325 degree oven for about 20 – 25 minutes.

You can also let diners select their own garnishes at the table.  Sour cream, apple butter, syrup, fruit, honey and whipped cream are all great options.

Empathy is the soul of democracy.                           Jeremy Rifkin