Berry & Skyr Whip with Walnut Rubble
Frozen berries crushed half-thawed through thick skyr, under a salted rubble of walnuts.
Why it works
Skyr is strained so hard it behaves more like a young cheese than a yoghurt, and needs loosening: beaten with lemon juice and a spoon of berry syrup it turns spoonable and glossy while keeping its body. Berries crushed while still half-frozen give up juice but hold their shape; fully thawed they collapse to purée and the bowl loses its contrast.
Method
- Tip the frozen berries into a bowl with the honey and lemon juice and leave 6-7 minutes. They want to be soft outside and still icy at the centre.
- Meanwhile, pile the walnuts on the board, lay a wide knife flat over them and press with your palm until they break into uneven rubble. Toss with the cinnamon and salt.
- Crush half the berries against the side of the bowl with a fork to make a loose, seedy syrup. Leave the rest whole.
- Beat the skyr in a second bowl with the vanilla, lemon zest and 2 tbsp of the syrup for 30 seconds, until it slackens and turns pale pink. Stop while it still holds a ridge.
- Spoon the skyr into four glasses, rippling the remaining syrup and whole berries through. Fold twice, no more, so the streaks stay separate.
- Finish with the walnut rubble and eat while the berries are still cold.
For the toddler
Leave the honey out at step 1, since honey is not for a baby under one year old and the berries sweeten themselves. Beat a spoonful of plain skyr with a little of the crushed berry syrup for them; skyr is sharp, so mash in some ripe banana if they pull a face. Crush any whole berries under a fork and keep the walnut rubble off, as chopped nuts are a choking risk under five.
How the toddler notes workChef’s notes
Thick Greek yoghurt or quark for the skyr. Frozen cherries or blackberries; hazelnuts or pecans in the rubble.
Take the berries out of the freezer as you serve the main course and they are ready when you are.
Strong black coffee, and a slice of dark rye if this is standing in for breakfast.
Best within the hour, while the layers are distinct. Overnight it goes pink and thin, though good with oats next morning. Keep the walnuts in a jar.