Blueberries
2 pints blueberries, preferably Texas-grown
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup Grand Marnier
1/2 cup strawberry preserves
Pick through and wash berries and dry on a clean kitchen towel. In a mixing bowl, combine berries, sugar, vanilla extract, and Grand Marnier. Let macerate for 20 to 30 minutes. Drain berries and refrigerate. Reserve liquid.
When ready to assemble the shortcakes, mix enough of the reserved liquid with the strawberry preserves to make them a bit thinner but not runny and set aside.
Shortcake
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into walnut-sized pieces
3/4 cup cold whole milk
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a mixing bowl, combine flour, salt, 2 tablespoons of the sugar, and baking powder. Cut butter into dry ingredients until it is broken uniformly into pieces the size of small peas. Add milk, stirring with a fork to combine. Form into a firm ball with your floured hands. On a floured surface, roll dough into an 8-inch-diameter circle. With a cookie cutter, cut out 10 circles about 2 inches in diameter. Place shortcakes, with sides touching, on an ungreased baking sheet and sprinkle with remaining sugar. Bake until golden-brown, about 10 minutes. Let cool.
Citrus Vanilla Cream
1/2 pint heavy cream or whipping cream
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons Grand Marnier
1 tablespoon orange zest
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
In a large stainless-steel bowl, whip cream until soft peaks form. Add sugar, Grand Marnier, orange zest, lemon zest, and vanilla extract. Continue whipping until stiff peaks form.
To assemble, cut each shortcake in half horizontally, like a bagel. Put a shortcake half on a plate. Spread a dollop of strawberry preserve mixture on it, spoon on about a tablespoon of blueberries, and top with whipped cream. Put another shortcake half on top and repeat the process. Serves 10.
