From crumbled expectations to sweet realities

Provided.

Daniela Peregrina.

Looking back two years ago, when I decided to apply for "MasterChef," I never thought I'd get a callback, let alone compete as part of Team GenX. The process was intense! Tens of thousands of home cooks from across the U.S. applied, all hoping to cook for Gordon Ramsay.

When I received an email saying I was being considered to audition, it was the start of many more. Each email required something new: a cooking technique video, a specific dish and then one day, a dessert. Cue the panic! I'm not a baker! But I decided to make one of my favorite desserts: a strawberry shortcake.

In my mind, I pictured a gorgeous layered masterpiece: sweet biscuits, lemon-infused whipped cream, macerated strawberries and a delicate white chocolate tuile on top.

Spoiler alert, it didn't happen as I envisioned!

My biscuits crumbled as soon as I took them off the tray. My vision of a towering dessert turned into a pile of broken biscuit pieces.

So, I decided to use the crumbles and create a deconstructed strawberry shortcake instead. In the culinary world, "deconstructed" means reimagining a classic dish by presenting its components separately in an unconventional way. In my case, it was the only way I could salvage the pieces of my dessert disaster.

This month when I was thinking about what I was going to submit for a Valentine's Day recipe, I got to thinking: we often set high expectations for occasions like Valentine's Day. We imagine grand gestures, perfect moments or flawless celebrations, and when things don't go as planned, it feels like a pile of crumbled biscuits. But what if we embraced the beauty in what is, instead of being crushed by what isn't?

A wise person once told me, "Joy = Reality - Expectation." This Valentine's Day, what if we celebrate all the love we have, the partners, the friends and the family instead of focusing on how we hope the day will go?

Here's my recipe for deconstructed strawberry shortcake. I hope that you will share it with someone special this Valentine's day, and that you find joy in the little imperfections of life.

I would love to see your creations, you can tag me on social media or send a picture to my email.

To connect with Daniela on social media where she shares fun food facts, recipes, upcoming events and classes, you can find her on Instagram @thedanielaperegrina and on Facebook @dragonflydaniela (Daniela Peregrina) or you can email her at [email protected].

Ingredients:

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

• 2 tbsp granulated sugar

• 1 tbsp baking powder

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 6 tbsp frozen unsalted butter, grated (freeze and grate)

• 3/4 cup cold heavy cream (plus a little extra for brushing)

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F

2. In a bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.

3. Cut in the butter with a pastry cutter (or your fingers) until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

4. Add heavy cream and vanilla; mix just until combined. Do not over mix.

5. Drop 4 spoonfuls of dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush the tops with cream.

6. Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until golden brown. Let cool.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced (small dice half of them and reserve some whole strawberries for garnishing)

• 2 tbsp granulated sugar

• Zest of 1 lemon

Instructions:

1. Toss strawberries with sugar and lemon zest in a bowl.

2. Let sit for at least 20 minutes to release their juices.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cold heavy whipping cream

• 2 tbsp powdered sugar

• Zest of 1 lemon

• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. In a cold bowl, whisk cream, powdered sugar, lemon zest and vanilla until soft peaks form. Chill until ready to serve.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips or chopped white chocolate

Instructions:

1. Melt white chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl in 15-second intervals, stirring between each, until smooth.

2. Drizzle melted chocolate onto parchment paper in thin, lacy patterns. Let cool until hardened, then gently peel off.

1. Place broken sweet biscuit pieces in different places on the plate.

2. Spoon the macerated strawberries and their juices over the biscuit and on the plate.

3. Add dollops of lemon zest-infused whipped cream in different places on the plate.

4. Garnish with a white chocolate tuile.

Get creative, have fun and create some joy! (P.S. there is no right or wrong way to plate this.)