Gooseberry and Elderflower Fool

This traditional British dessert is made with a combination of gooseberries, elderflower cordial, lemon juice, sugar, and heavy (whipping) cream. The gooseberries are placed in a big pan with the cordial, lemon juice, and sugar, and the combination is then simmered over low heat until the gooseberries burst. It's then crushed, usually with a fork, and left to cool for a few hours. The cream is whipped to a soft consistency, and the gooseberry mixture is swirled into it. The fool is spooned into glasses and well chilled before serving. This dessert is typically prepared and enjoyed in the summer when the fruit is in season. If desired, the fool can be enriched with bits of biscuits and elderflowers for garnish.