Strawberry and Mascarpone Crepes with Strawberry Syrup

Next up for the fresh local strawberries that I picked up at the farmers market on the weekend are these strawberry and mascarpone crepes inspired by the latest issue of Food & Drink. You really can't go wrong with strawberries and cream but you can make them even better by wrapping them in warm, light and fluffy crepes. This recipe gets its creamy component from mascarpone and it lightens it up a bit by using half mascarpone and half plain yogurt. Strawberries are mixed in with the cream filling and the crepes are finished off with a drizzle of freshly made strawberry syrup. These crepes make for a really nice weekend breakfast or brunch or even a light weekday meal. I can pretend that it is crepe, no I mean pancake Tuesday. :)

Strawberry and Mascarpone Crepes with Strawberry Syrup

(makes 2-4 servings)
Printable Recipe

Ingredients:
2 cups strawberries (cleaned, hulled and sliced)
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 cup mascarpone
1/2 cup yogurt
1/4 cup sugar
1 batch crepes
strawberry syrup (see below)

Directions:
1. Mix the strawberries and sugar and let sit for 10 minutes.
2. Mix the mascarpone, yogurt and sugar and let sit for 10 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, make the crepes.
4. Mix the strawberries into the mascarpone.
5. Assemble crepes, top with the strawberry syrup and enjoy.

Strawberry Syrup

A simple syrup is generally made by simmering sugar in water until it dissolves. For a strawberry syrup you simply add some strawberries and simmer until their flavour and colour is taken on by the syrup. If you wanted a light syrup for drinks you would take the mixture off of the heat as soon as the syrup has taken on the strawberries flavour. If you wanted a thicker syrup for say pancakes, or these crepes, you can continue to simmer to reduce the the syrup to the thickness that you desire. If you were making a strawberry syrup for pancakes then you could easily leave the strawberries in the syrup and pour them onto the pancakes as well otherwise you can strain the strawberries from the syrup. If you do strain the strawberries from the syrup, don't just throw them out as they taste great. Just heat them up and serve them over a cool scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Strawberry Syrup

(makes 1 cup)
Printable Recipe

Ingredients:
1 pound strawberries (hulled and sliced)
1 1/2 cup water
1 cup sugar

Directions:
1. Simmer the strawberries, water, and sugar in a small sauce pan for 20 minutes. (If you want thicker syrup continue simmering until you get the desired consistency.)
2. Strain the solids out with a fine sieve. (Optional; If you do, retain the strawberries and serve them hot on vanilla ice cream.)
3. Let cool and enjoy.

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