Lightened-Up Strawberry Charlotte

Ladyfingers: Line 2 large rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper. Draw 12- x 6-inch (30 x 15 cm) rectangle on 1 sheet and 7-inch (18 cm) circle on second sheet; turn papers over. Set aside.

In bowl, beat egg whites until foamy; beat in cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Beat in 1/4 cup (50 mL) of the granulated sugar, 2 tbsp (25 mL) at a time, until stiff glossy peaks form; set aside.

In large bowl, beat together egg yolks, vanilla and remaining sugar until pale and thickened; fold in one-third of the egg whites. Spoon half of the remaining egg whites over yolks; sift half of the flour over top and fold in gently. Repeat with remaining egg whites and flour.

Using large piping bag, pipe batter into diagonal strips, each about 6 inches (15 cm) long and just barely touching, to fill traced rectangle. Pipe remaining batter in concentric circles to fill traced circle. Sprinkle with icing sugar. Bake in top and bottom thirds of 325°F (160°C) oven, switching and rotating pans halfway through, until puffed and golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool on pans on rack. Gently remove papers. (Make-ahead: Store in waxed paper-lined airtight containers at room temperature for up to 24 hours.)

Place ladyfinger circle on bottom of parchment paper-lined 8-inch (2 L) springform pan. Cut ladyfinger rectangle in half lengthwise; one at a time, stand puffed side out around edge of pan, trimming if necessary.

Filling: In small saucepan, sprinkle gelatin over 1/4 cup (50 mL) water; let stand for 5 minutes. Melt over medium-low heat, stirring often.

Meanwhile, in bowl, coarsely mash strawberries with sugar until sugar is dissolved; stir in yogurt and gelatin mixture. In separate bowl, whip cream with vanilla; fold into strawberry mixture. Refrigerate, stirring occasionally, until chilled enough to mound on spoon, 20 to 30 minutes. Scrape into ladyfinger-lined pan. Cover and refrigerate until firm, 2 hours. (Make-ahead: Refrigerate for up to 24 hours.)

Meanwhile, scrape yogurt into cheesecloth- or paper towel- lined sieve; cover and refrigerate until reduced by half, about 4 hours. (Make-ahead: Refrigerate for up to 24 hours.)

In bowl, whip cream with sugar; fold half into yogurt. Fold in remaining cream mixture. Spread on cake; top with strawberry halves.

Additional information :

Tip: Instead of making your own ladyfingers, use about 40 of the soft store-bought variety, cutting and patching to leave no gaps.

Source : Canadian Living Magazine: June 2003