Tropicana Cream with Summer Berries


Tropicana Cream (01)




Whenever I read or hear the word "Tropical", two things happen to me.

I immediately start imagining pictures of long white beaches, with lush green palm trees and turquoise blue waters.

And the second, for some reason I hear the sounds of "Club Tropicana" playing in the background. Yes, folks I am talking about that 80s hit by none other than the boys of Wham!



Once I get that tune in my head it takes days for it to get out again.

Club Tropicana drinks are free

Fun and sunshine - there's enough for ev'ryone.
All that's missing is the sea
but don't worry
you can suntan.


Err yes well ... At least I do not imagine George Michael in that crisp brown tan and that tiny bathing thong! Actually this time I did - but only because I went in search of the video and had a great laugh as I remembered the 80s! But that's for another post.

The reason I was in such a tropical mood was because my lovely Daring Baker girlfriend Mary chose Tropical Paradise for this month's Sugar High Friday.

Tropicana Cream (05)


In terms of food, "Tropical" makes me crave for the tastes of coconut and mangoes. I know a bit clichéd, but these fruits represent all those images I mentioned earlier. I think about Pina Coladas in a raving club and mango ice creams in a beach side bistro.

And I hear ...

Soft white sands
a blue lagoon

Cocktail time
a summer's tune
a whole night's holiday.
Club Tropicana drinks are free


As it happened, one evening I was pondering on what to make for a quick after dinner treat. Nothing too fancy I thought just something that me and the boys can tuck our sweet teeth into. As I went on the hunt rummaging through my refrigerator and pantry, way back in one of the shelves I found a can of coconut milk ....

Let me take you to the place where membership's a smiling face

Brush shoulders with the stars.
Where strangers take you by the hand and welcome you to Wonderland
From beneath their panamas.

Club Tropicana drinks are free


Moving onto our booze cabinet I also hit gold with the last few drops of Batida de Coco ...

Don't take your time
gotta move your feet
don't you miss the flight.
Pack your bags and leave tonight


And so, I moved my feet over to our stereo, found what I was looking for hit play and danced over to the kitchen with the sounds of Club Tropicana in my ears, pictures of turquoise blue lagoons in my head and soon a tropical tasting dessert for my palate!


Music to my ears



Club Tropicana - Wham!
Album - Fantastic

Zoom back into the 80s with the Club Tropicana video!








Reminder!

The latest Monthly Mingle is one close to my own heart. Earth Food is all about helping to raise awareness for the steps and actions we can take to save our beautiful blue planet. Hope you will find it in your hearts to party with me.
Deadline is August 6th!






Tropicana Cream (02)


Ingredients

100g sugar
30g cornstarch
1/8 teaspoon salt
250 ml whole milk
150 ml coconut milk
50 ml coconut rum
2 egg yolks
30g unsalted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
400g mixed red currents and blackberries - washed

Note: I made this dessert without really consulting any weights, so the measurements here are more or less by the feel of things. You might find it necessary to increase or maybe even reduce certain ingredients.



Tropicana Cream (04)


Method

Whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a small saucepan. Pour enough of the whole milk into the sugar mixture to form a smooth paste.

Whisk in the remaining milk, coconut milk, rum and the egg yolks.

Cook the mixture over low heat, stirring continuously with a wooden spoon until it thickens. This takes about 15 minutes. Do not allow it to boil or else the eggs will curdle. Remove from heat and stir in the butter and vanilla.

Layer the berries with the cream in tall glasses. Cover with plastic wrap, pressing the surface to make an airtight seal and prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate until well chilled, about 1 hour.

Serve chilled.

Variations: Use small pineapple chunks or mango pieces instead of berries for a full flavored tropical dessert.





Verdict

A nice and easy to make dessert with a fantastic tropical taste to it. Soeren's dessert was minus the alcohol. I added a few coconut flakes instead. The grown up version was delicious. The coconut lends the dessert cream a wonderful mild taste and the alcohol only lingers with a je ne sais quoi at the back of your tongue. The tart berries are a fantastic comparison to the sweetness of the cream and pairs well with the coconut flavor.

Have I gotten you in the mood for some tropical flavors? Well turn up the music and stir up your favorite tropical dessert.

Club Tropicana drinks are free

Fun and sunshine - there's enough for ev'ryone.


Daily Tiffin Latest:
If you are looking for a bit of tropical flavors in your lunch boxes then have a look at the Tropical Flavored Lunch Box I packed for Soeren.


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23 comments:

  1. Those look wonderful! Ok, so I'm definitely going to post my SHF entry tonight, you got me all in the mood for swaying palm trees and something cool to eat.

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  2. Now I really wish I was somewhere with a beach - I think I need a vacation!! This looks like the perfect tropical get-a-way!

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  3. I used to like Wham! Hee hee - Duran Duran too :)

    I think mangoes and coconut when I hear tropical, and palm trees too.

    Great dessert!

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  4. guess what? - i had a serious crush on george michael back then. i didnt know any better... like i had NO IDEA. ;-) their songs are so wonderful - do you know "the final"? (i still get a chill just thinking about it).

    BTW - loving the cream!

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  5. Totally fun post, Meeta! I actually had a hair-do eerily similar to George Michael's. Do you still have any respect left for me?

    Luscious dessert!

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  6. oh great- now I can't get that song outta my head!!!

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  7. I was sadly a huge wham fan in the 80s! But your cream and berries are much more enticing! So picture perfect. I could sure use some tropical weather here!

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  8. Hi Meeta,
    a truly beautiful post!
    Your dessert looks delicious!

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  9. I'll skip the rum n eggs...shd still be good, isn't it?

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  10. Now I know Wham is not classical but your words are and they waltz me through this piece. Such fun Meeta. It goes without saying I know the cream was lovely! How do you manage to always say it so well.

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  11. Gorgeous photos Meeta. It looks so tempting.

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  12. Tantalizing post, sweeping me away to palm swaying, sandy beaches. Lovely pics.
    Ronell

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  13. I just stumbled across your blog, and I'm so glad I did. Your photography is beautiful! And now I'm suddenly gripped by the urge for a tropical cocktail...

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  14. Sounds refreshing and light! Beautiful entry!

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  15. Beautiful SHF entry! I want to dig into it right now. :D

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  16. Hi Meeta...very nice post...guess we all loved George back in 80`s...we still get to hear him around Christmas time in German radios...with his "last Christmas..." anyway...few question...can I skip egg n make it with Dr.Oetker pudding powder and whats "cronstarch" in German super markets? Would be glad for your help..Thanks...waiting...

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  17. Hi folks, Thanks so much for your comments.

    Mehgan, LOL! Yes i was hoping to get you all to take a nice break with the post.

    Deborah, I wish I was back on the beach too. Glad you liked it.

    Kelly-Jane, I was not a huge Wham! fan but I loved Duran Duran. Actually I still do.

    Myriam, I know what you mean. That's why I always crack up when I see the old videos. Because now I know better. George/Andrew where never my type anyway. I was the Simon Le Bon person. LOL!

    Susan, I still respect you, because I know you will respect me when I tell you I had my hair a bit like Andrew Ridgely in that video LOL!

    Jaden, HAHAHA! I think we should get together and have a good Karaoke evening to get it out of our system!

    Archana, glad to hear you prefer my cream to the Wham! boys. I agree it's more edible. ;-)

    Asyeyaman, Thanks!

    Jyo, Oh I am not too sure how it would turn out if you skipped the eggs. The eggs actually give it that thickness. Maybe you could try adding more cornstarch. Can anyone help here?

    Tanna, thanks. I just say it from the heart. I am glad you enjoyed this post. I am sure we would have enjoyed making the cream and listening to the music more together.

    Barbara, thanks so much!

    Ronell, thank you!

    Nan, welcome to WFLH. Glad you liked what I do around here. I also hope to see you around more often.

    Helene, thank you. It was quite yummy!

    Maninas, only one word: THANKS!

    Amy, well come on over we can have fun making this all over again!

    ANON, Pudding powder from Dr. Oetker would be a pretty good substitute. Maybe even an idea for Jyo (above) and others who do not eat eggs. Yes, do try it out with that. Cornstarch in German is "Speisestärke" I use the one from Mondamin.
    Yes, I know about the radios in Germany. Me and Tom have a bet every time it gets anywhere close to X-Mas - who will hear Last Christmas first on the radio. LOL!
    Hope you enjoy the cream. Let me know how it tasted.

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  18. OMG, I haven't thought about that song in ages. I was a such a huge Wham! fan. I gotta go dig out my old Wham!CD now. =) Thanks for participating in SHF.

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  19. That is a delicious and beautiful take on this month's SHF theme!

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  20. Hi Meeta
    This dessert look great. I am going to try it before the summer season is over here.
    Can i use coconut milk from a tin.

    http://mykitchentreasures.blogspot.com/

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  21. Hi
    Ang forgot to mention, i was also a fan of WHAM. I even had their poster in my room.
    Now i have a teenage daughter and her room is with her idols i mumble ; why should you add all those pictures to which my hubby remarks, i remember seeing Wham posters in your room. And my daughter is looki,g to me like i am ancient ;-)))) i can hear her thinking who is listening to that music...............

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  22. Mary, LOL! I knew we were on the same wave length!

    Bril, Thanks!!

    HC, yes you can use canned coconut milk. It's the sort we get here! My son is not that old right now, but yes I can imagine that he would look at me like that too. I was not a HUGE Wham! fan. I was the more Duran Duran type of girl and my room was plastered in DD posters!!

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Thank you for visiting What's For Lunch, Honey? and taking time to browse through my recipes, listen to my ramblings and enjoy my photographs. I appreciate all your comments, feedback and input. I will answer your questions to my best knowledge and respond to your comments as soon as possible.

In the meantime I hope you enjoy your stay here and that I was able to make this an experience for your senses.

Hugs
Meeta