Strawberries with zabaione

My aunt Flo taught me to make her special version of this Italian dessert and it is now a classic in my family in Spring, when strawberries are at their best.

Made with the freshest strawberries, whipped cream, zabaione and meringue this dessert is easy to prepare and a great treat for everybody. 
Zabaione is a sort of custard, simply made with fresh yolks, sugar and Marsala wine (or other sweet wine).

Every single ingredient makes a fantastic match with all the others, but all together they are just impossible to resist!

Ingredients for 4:

4 egg yolks

120 grs./4.23 ounces sugar plus 3 table spoon for the strawberries and 1 for the whipped cream
4 table spoons Marsala (or other sweet wine)
About 250 grs/ cream or whipped cream
gr 600 /1.5 pounds fresh strawberries, washed
6-8 meringues

How to:

1)      Wash the strawberries and cut them into pieces. Cover with 3 table spoons of sugar and set them aside.








2) Separate the yolks and pour them in a bowl with the remaining sugar. Whisk well until they become a soft and the mixture forms a ribbon when the beaters are lifted. Add the Marsala or sweet wine and gently mix again.

 3) Set the bowl over a large saucepan filled with 1 inch of barely simmering water. The bowl should not touch the water or the sides of the pan, so I put a dye on the bottom.

Using a spoon or a whisk, beat the egg-yolk mixture until for 5 to 6 minutes approx. Don't cook the zabaione for too long, or it will curdle.

Remove from the heat and let it cool.

4)      Pour the cream in a bowl and add the sugar. Mix with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Put it in the fridge.





5) Put the strawberries in a mixer, except for few that you will use as a decoration and make a puree out of them.



6) When the zabaione is cold, prepare your cups or glasses, break the meringues with your hand in irregular pieces and let them fall on the bottom of your containers. 

7) Spoon over the strawberries puree,  than the whipped cream and then the zabaione, and start from the meringue again if you have more space...
End with the pieces of strawberries.

Serve immediately.

Tip:
If you want to make it 3-4 hours in advance, remember that you will have to assemble the ingredients just before eating for better flavour and texture.