Chilled strawberry & Pimm's zabaglione

Method

• step 1

  Hull and roughly chop the strawberries, then put them in a bowl and sprinkle with sugar and a few drops of bitters. Toss and set aside for 2-4 hours.

• step 2

  Put the gelatine into a small bowl of cold water and leave for 5 minutes until soft. Pour 3 tbsp of the Pimm’s into a small saucepan and gently heat. Squeeze water from the gelatine, add the gelatine leaves to the hot Pimm’s and whisk furiously until dissolved. Keep warm.

• step 3

  Bring an inch or two of water to a bare simmer in a saucepan that will take a large mixing bowl without the bottom of the bowl touching the water.

• step 4

  Put the egg yolks and sugar into the mixing bowl (off the heat). Using electric beaters, whisk for about 3 minutes, until thick and pale. Pour in the remaining neat Pimm's and beat for a further minute. Put the bowl over the barely simmering water and beat continuously until the mixture has at least doubled in volume and looks like the head on a glass of Guinness.

• step 5

  Slide off the heat, pour in the gelatine mixture and beat for 1 minute. Place the bowl in a sink of ice-cold water and cool for about 10 minutes, whisking occasionally.

• step 6

  Whip the cream into soft peaks then whisk it into the cooled zabaglione. Spoon into 4 large wine glasses, leaving an inch or so at the top for the strawberries. Cover loosely and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Just before serving, spoon the strawberries and their juices into the top of the glasses.