3 cups strawberries, hulled and split

1 tablespoon lemon juice

cup plus 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

1 cup heavy cream

2 tablespoons confectioners sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat broiler. Combine strawberries, lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon granulated sugar; toss well. Divide mixture evenly among four 1-cup souffle dishes; set aside. Whip cream to soft peaks, then add confectioners sugar and vanilla. Cover strawberries with whipped cream and flatten the tops of the dishes. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of sugar over the top of each and place the dishes on a baking sheet and set that directly under broiler until it browns slightly. Sugar will form a paper-thin layer of caramel. Serve at once.

Yield: 4 servings

Source: American Regional Cuisine

First Published June 2, 2008, 5:18 p.m.