STRAWBERRIES JUBILEE

Strawberries Jubilee image

Yield Makes 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

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1 1/2 cups water
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 vanilla bean, halved lengthwise
1 (1/4-inch-thick) lemon slice
1 tablespoon cornstarch stirred with 2 tablespoons cold water
2 pints strawberries (1 1/2 lb), trimmed and large berries halved
1/4 cup kirsch
Accompaniment: vanilla ice cream

Steps:

Bring water, sugar, vanilla bean, and lemon slice to a boil over high heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved, then boil 5 minutes.
Remove vanilla bean and lemon slice from sugar syrup with a slotted spoon, then reduce heat to moderate. Stir cornstarch mixture and whisk into syrup, then simmer, whisking constantly, until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. Increase heat to high and add strawberries, then boil 1 minute.
Transfer to a gratin or chafing dish. Heat kirsch in a small saucepan over moderate heat until warm. Remove from heat, then carefully ignite kirsch with a kitchen match and pour, still flaming, over warm berries. When flames die out, serve immediately, over ice cream.