Dessert: Italian-Style Strawberry Shortcake

This recipe includes superfoods such as:

Lemon

Health benefits of Italian-Style Strawberry Shortcake

Lemons can help to prevent oxidative damage to the body, which women with PCOS are often susceptible to. Lemons are also rich in vitamin C, flavonoids, and other antioxidants. They can potentially support the immune system and have other health benefits. Lemons also have a low glycemic index, so they should not cause a rapid rise in blood sugar when consumed in natural form.

Ingredients

Butter, for greasing pan
Flour, for dusting
One 17 1/4-ounce package frozen puff pastry sheets, thawed
1 1/2 pounds strawberries, stems removed and sliced
1/4 cup sugar
Juice of 1/2 a lemon
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 vanilla bean, seeded
1 tablespoon powdered sugar, plus more for garnish
Block of bittersweet chocolate, for shaving

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Butter 2 sheet trays.
Flour your work surface. Roll out each puff pastry sheet to a 14-inch square. Use a biscuit cutter to cut into 4-inch rounds. Place on the prepared sheet tray and prick with a fork. Bake the pastry until golden brown and puffy, about 15 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through cooking. Remove and let cool. Once cool, slice each puffed round into 3 horizontal pieces.
Meanwhile, add the strawberries, sugar and lemon juice to a medium bowl and toss. Let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes so the juices develop.
When ready to serve, add the heavy cream to a large bowl and add the seeds of the vanilla bean. Beat, using a hand mixer, until it thickens. Add the powdered sugar and beat until soft peaks appear.
To assemble, add a nice dollop of whipped cream to a dessert plate. Top with strawberries and a round of pastry. Repeat the layers, ending with the pastry. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, top with chocolate shavings and serve immediately.