This tried-and-tested recipe for rhubarb fool is a perfect springtime dessert.
700g/1½lb rhubarb
2 lemongrass stalks very finely chopped to almost a powder
100ml/3½fl oz water
140g/5oz unrefined organic sugar
110g/4oz icing sugar
150ml/¼ pint crème fraîche (preferably organic) or 1 small carton
150ml/¼ pint mascarpone cream
4 tbsp white chocolate, grated or peeled into shavings
Wash and trim, but do not peel the rhubarb. Cut into even chunks about 3cm/1¼in long and put into a warm pan with the water, sugar and the lemongrass. Cover and simmer until the rhubarb softens and breaks down - usually this takes about 10 minutes.
Strain through a sieve, reserving all the juices and allow the rhubarb to cool down.
Whisk the icing sugar into the mascarpone, then gently fold in the crème fraîche and half the rhubarb.
Divide the remaining rhubarb among four dishes or glasses and spoon the fool mixture on top. Allow to set and cool in the fridge. Serve with the chocolate shavings on top.
For the rhubarb lemonade, pass the reserved rhubarb liquid through a fine sieve, then add lemon juice to taste. Add the sweet wine if you want to make it alcoholic and chill well in the fridge.
Serve in small iced glasses with the fool and some shortbread biscuits or Tuille biscuits.
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