How to turn squishy strawberries into a classic British dessert recipe | Waste not

Squishy strawberries can be preserved by turning them into a simple honey-sweet compote for a rich seasonal dessert. A strawberry, basil, and black pepper posset uses honey to sweeten and help maintain the fruit’s bright red color. Extra strawberry tops can be washed and steeped with an optional basil sprig to make a quick tea by infusing for five minutes and straining. The posset base is made by warming double cream with peppercorns and basil, then simmering briefly and combining with mashed strawberries and additional honey. Lemon juice and zest add brightness, and the dessert can be served with shortbread, basil leaves, fresh strawberries, and cracked black pepper.

"Strawberries have a pretty short shelf life, but even when they're a bit squishy, they can still be turned into something delicious, be that a topping for your morning porridge or this simple, rich and seasonal dessert. Strawberry, basil and black pepper posset This recipe takes advantage of one of my favourite unexpected flavour combinations: strawberries, basil and black pepper, and transforms past-their-best strawberries into a decadent dessert."

"The base is made by turning squishy strawberries into a simple compote to preserve them. I like to use honey here, not least because it feels healthier than white sugar, but also because it helps the compote keeps the fruit's brilliant red colour. Excess strawberry tops, meanwhile, can be washed and steeped with an optional basil sprig to make tea: simply infuse for five minutes, then strain."

"Cut any green tops off the strawberries, then cut each fruit in half. Put the strawberries in a small saucepan with a tablespoon of the honey, bring slowly to a boil, then turn off the heat and mash the fruit with a fork. Pour the cream into another small saucepan, add the peppercorns, the stem of a sprig of basil, half the mashed strawberries and two tablespoons of honey, then bring up to a simmer on a low heat."

"Cook for five minutes, stirring all the while, then take off the heat and leave 45ml fresh lemon juice, plus some finely grated zest if the fruit's unwaxed, to taste To serve (all optional and to taste) Shortbread Basil leaves Fresh strawberries Freshly cracked black pepper"

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