Strawberry Fool

''Any darn fool can make something complex, it takes a genius to make something simple.''― Pete Seeger

1 Year and 11 months old!!
How did she grow so soon?? Wasn't it just yesterday that she fitted in my arms and gave me the most sweetest unselfish smile, filling up my days with her sunshine presence and giving me the most beautiful reason to live. She is all of this and a lot more now. She is my daughter Vaanya.
I understand Time flies..but why so soon! It so seems like just yesterday that we were anxiously waiting..first for her to come out, then for her to turn, sit, crawl, stand and walk. How selfish we become as parents, wanting them to learn everything fast, and once they do, we want time to slow down! I guess that is what Parenthood is. 
Our children teach us so much, at times completely transforming us. I think the best thing they teach is to have patience and the ability to love unconditionally. They teach us to admire and love the most simplest and silliest of things. They teach us to move on and be happy with whatever we have. Most importantly they teach us to be a child all over again!
Vaanya continues to add that special spark, that special reason to live life fully and that special presence which can never be replaced. We as parents feel truly blessed to have her. Every 24 of the month is dedicated to something sweet on our blog to signify Vaanya's utmost sweet presence and we call it our Sweet day. 
Today I am sharing a super simple and super pretty desert. It hardly needs any skill and is sure to stun your guests. 

Ingredients: For 6 servings

• 1/2 packet of strawberry jelly
• 1 cup milk
• 2-3 tbsp sugar
• 2 tbsp strawberry custard powder
• 1/2 cup vanilla sponge cake crumbs(I used my leftover Ombre cake, you may try with store bought small sponge cakes like Britannia and churn them in the mixer or use your hands to crumb it)
• 6 strawberries chopped and a few for garnishing
• whipped cream and mint leaves for decoration 

Procedure:

Strawberry Jelly
Make jelly as per the instructions on the packet. Basically you need to mix the provided powders and pour boiling water and mix. 
Add the chopped strawberries in it and let it cool a bit. Do not wait to long as the jelly will set.
Pour jelly in the chosen glasses or bowls. 
I used an angled effect, therefore placed the glasses at certain angle over a towel roll and let it set. 
As soon as they cool to room temperature, transfer to the refrigerator, maintaining the angled effect. I put the same roll of towel in the fridge and let the glasses tilt on it. This is crucial as jelly being jelly is very slippery and may get ruined if you keep the glasses straight.

Strawberry custard:
Boil 1 cup of milk and add sugar. 
Dissolve custard powder with some cold milk and add to the milk, stirring well.
As it thickens to the desired consistency, remove from heat. Let it cool a bit and add the sponge cake crumbs.
Very carefully spoon this custard in the same glasses till the top. 
Let it set in the refrigerator, this time keeping the glasses straight for at least half an hour.
Garnish with whipped cream, strawberry slices and mint sprigs. 

Getting set in the fridge

Ready to be served

I tried another version which was suggested on the back of the jelly pack and which turned out to be a quick,pretty and yummy desert.

Make jelly as per instructions(I used the leftover half) and mix equal quantity of whipped cream with it. Whip/blend this mixture well.

Pour in desired glasses/bowl for serving and garnish.

Set in a bowl and garnished with whipped cream and strawberry fan

Set in individual glasses topped with whipped cream and strawberry bits

Happy Strawberry Fooling
Amrita