A Mllion Dollar Berry Dessert

Whether you pick your own, grow  your own, and shop the supermarket specials, this dessert is soooo good.  It is from this month's (July, the Grilling Issue) Bon Appetit.  


Macerated Berries with Vanilla Cream - serves 6  (I cut the ingredients by 1/3 to serve only 4). 
Berries:
6 cups fresh mixed berries (scant 2 lbs., divided)
3/4 cup sugar 
1/4 cup fresh (used o.j. from the dairy case) orange juice

Vanilla Cream 
1 vanilla bean, halved lengthwise, or 1  1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup chilled heavy cream
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup sugar 


Berries:  Using a potato masher or the back of a wooden spoon, (I used the tool to cut butter into pastry) mash 1 cup berries with sugar and orange juice in a large bowl until sugar begins to dissolve.  Gently stir in remaining 5 cups berries, let sit a room temperature, tossing occasionally until berries are juicy, 1 -2 hours.


Vanilla cream:  Scrape seeds from vanilla bean in to a medium bowl.  Add chilled c ream, sour cream and sugar.  Using a whisk or an electric mixer, beat until soft beaks form. 


Do ahead:  cream can be made 30 minutes ahead.  Cover and chill. 


This dessert has huge bang for the buck.  The vanilla cream is to die for, and the berries look luscious in the red juiciness.  Perfect end to a nice dinner party or a family dinner. 


I used an ancient vanilla bean and will have to order more.  I always go to Penzey's for spices.  They're the best. www.penzeys.com.