Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone. ~Picasso

GRETCHEN RUBIN         MAKE

gretchenrubin
The Happiness Project

What was the last thing you made? What materials did you use? Is there something you want to make, but you need to clear some time for it?

I made Thanksgiving dinner—with my husband. he was my legs this year.

I made the “still beating heart of your long dead lover,” my very cool strawberries and cream dessert in a heart mold and covered in blood (strawberry coulis) for our Halloween Party.

INGREDIENTS

Heart:
2 cups frozen strawberries
2 tablespoons unflavored gelatin
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
3/4 cup whole milk

Strawberry Coulis:
1 cup frozen strawberries, thawed with juice
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon sugar

fresh berries and/or whipped cream for serving

INSTRUCTIONS

Makes 1 Heart Mold, 2 1/2 Cups, 5 Servings

Lightly coat the heart Mold with a thin coat of vegetable oil or cooking spray and set aside.

Puree the thawed strawberries and juice in a food processor until smooth. Transfer to a bowl. Sprinkle gelatin over the pureed strawberries and let stand until softened, about 10 minutes.

Mix milk and cream in a heavy, medium saucepan. Bring to a simmer over low heat. Stir in sugar and cook until it completely dissolves, about 30 seconds. St in Strawberry/gelatin mixture and simmer until gelatin dissolves, about 1-2 minutes.

Remove from heat, and pour the mixture into the prepared mold(s) and chill for at least 6 hours or overnight. UnMold as you would any gelatin Mold. Serve with fresh berries and whipped cream and/or with Strawberry coulis (below).

Prepare Strawberry coulis:
Puree all coulis ingredients in a blender or food processor. Pass through a strainer to remove seed and solids. Drizzle around the serving platter or bowl, strategically dripping a bit on the heart itself..

I have, in the past made a lot of collages. Weird ones.And shadowboxes. Usually quite 3 dimensional. I’ll have to see if I can find any pictures of the ones I’ve sold or given to friends. I can’t connect to my computer downstairs right now or I’d post one today. I only get two trips up the stairs max right now—which considering three weeks ago I couldn’t even do one—an improvement.

I actually could find the time to do these more on the weekend, but I’m usually so tired that I don’t. I should just put in an hour, just an hour anyway. No, not should. Want to.

I’d like to get back to cooking more too, but that will have to wait until I can stand up more!