Gooseberry Recipes

Gooseberries taste of a sweet tangy mixture of pineapple and strawberry. The fruits make an interesting addition to salads, cooked dishes, and as a garnish.

Cook with apples or ginger to make a distinctive dessert, or poach them with a little sugar and water to make a traditional accompaniment to mackerel.

Wash the berries and remove the stems and tops with scissors before eating or cooking. To cook them put the prepared berries in a pan with a little water and 1 tbsp sugar per 100g (1/2 cup) fruit (taste, and add more sugar if you need it once the fruit has softened). Cover and cook gently for 10-15 min until soft. Once cooked, the gooseberries can be used in sweet dishes and for savoury sauces.

Gooseberry Recipes

Crunchy Gooseberry Whip

Ingredients:

1 lb (400g) gooseberries
3 tablespoons
(45 ml) clear honey 10 fl oz
(250 ml) double cream, whipped
1½ oz (40g) butter
3 ozs (75g) wholemeal breadcrumbs
1 or (25g) hazelnuts, chopped and toasted 2 tablespoons
(30 ml) demerara sugar

Method:

  1. Place gooseberries in a pan with 1 tablespoon (15 ml) water, cover and cook gently for 15 minutes until soft.
  2. Cool slightly, then puree in a blender or food processor. Sieve to remove tops and tails.
  3. Add honey and leave to cool. Stir in the whipped cream.
  4. Melt butter in frying pan, add the breadcrumbs and fry until golden brown. Leave to cool, then stir in hazelnuts and sugar.
  5. Divide half the gooseberry whip between 4 glasses and cover with half of the crumbs.
  6. Repeat the layers finishing with crumbs. Freezing of this dessert is not recommended.