Mascarpone Stuffed Strawberries

Allow me to give you a quick lesson on the pronunciation of the word mascarpone, MASS-CAR-POH-NEH, that easy! 
As always - click on any of the photos to enlarge.

 Mascarpone is a rich, fresh triple-creme that is a relative of both cream cheese and Ricotta Cheese, similiar in consistency to a real thick sour cream. It is a soft white cheese with a smooth texture that is easily spread. It's versatile enough to be blended with other flavours and is fantastic in sauces and heavenly when served with fresh frruit. Your mouth will sing when you taste it - Mmmmm... sweet mascarpone

If you are one of my blog followers (THANK YOU!), you know that I received a package from Tre Stelle and I wrote about it HERE. 

I then sat down and did some research on Tre Stelle - the company.
This is right from their website "For 50 years, Tre Stelle® has produced first-quality, award-winning cheeses"  and "Tre Stelle® draws on centuries of Italian cheese making heritage to create a wide range of superior cheese products.In a disposable, 'processed' world, it's inspiring to know that so many Canadians still respect the time-honoured values of fine cheese making."

Tre Stelle's website has great information on cheese as well as recipes galore! I would suggest dropping by for a visit
LIKE them on facebook for recipes, TIPS and contests - who doesn't like a contest?  

Now I do have a recipe for these delicious Mascarpone Stuffed Strawberries, it's coming. You can avoid all my chit chat and scroll right to the bottom if you're eager, if you're staying to enjoy my ramblings -horray!

See the photo above, the top left of the picture? The tray is empty, I was eating them as I was making them (hanging my head in shame). The kids loved them, I devoured them, not inhaled them. I took perfectly sized bites and savoured every last bit of sweet creaminess.... now I want more.


 I have to warn you here before you hit the grocery store, mascarpone is expensive, it was $11.99 for the large 475g tub. Put it in to perspective though there are other cheeses that are pricey as well, parmesan and romano. It's a splurge, a once in a while treat for your family and your taste buds. It's well worth it.

Macarpone Stuffed Strawberries

Before I start with the recipe I just have to mention, once you try these you will never want Chocolate Dipped Strawberries again, you will forever crave these.

Here's what you need, a few simple ingredients.

I cut the stem off all the strawberries so it's nice and flat and then cut an 'X' through the middle, not quite to the bottom. 
Set the strawberries aside.

Now for the mascarpone - ready? 
Open the container and here the angels sing.

Notice the consistency, thick, rich and wonderful.

Add in the whipping cream.

and mix for about 15 seconds.

Add orange zest, vanilla and whip. 

Whip until thick.

Put mixture, put into pasty bag.

Pipe filling into bowl, on to strawberries or right into your mouth - 
did I say that in my outside voice?

Impressive in a wine glass.

Impressive when filled in strawberries.

Impressive piped onto a bowl of strawberries. 

Mascarpone Stuffed Strawberries

Ingredients
15-20 strawberries washed
1/2 cup of whipping cream
1 small tub (275g) of Tre Stelle Mascarpone 
1 teaspoon of orange zest (1 large orange)
3 tablespoons of sugar
1/2-1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, I like vanilla so I used 1 tsp

Directions
Cut stem off strawberries making a flat surface and cut an 'X' through the middle of the strawberry almost to the bottom. See photo above if needed). using fingers, slightly spread the strawberries to open them up and set aside.

In a medium bowl beat mascarpone and whipping cream until blended and thick about 15-30 secs. Add orange zest sugar and vanilla and whip until soft peaks form, will be very thick (similar to soft butter). Spoon mixture in to pastry bag and pipe into prepared strawberries or on a bowl of strawberries or however you would like.      Enjoy!

                     Bon Appetit