Vanilla Crème With Fresh Berry Jam

Directions

To prepare jam, combine ⅓ cup water and 3 tablespoons sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat.

Cook 3 minutes or until sugar dissolves.

Add 1 cup chopped strawberries, and bring to a boil.

Reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes or until mixture is syrupy, mashing strawberries with a fork.

Remove from heat, and stir in remaining 1 cup chopped strawberries.

Pour into a bowl, and cool completely.

Cover and chill.

To prepare crème, sprinkle gelatin over whole milk in a small saucepan; let stand for 10 minutes.

Scrape seeds from vanilla bean, and add seeds and bean to milk mixture.

Cook the milk mixture over medium-low heat 10 minutes or until gelatin dissolves, stirring constantly with a whisk.

Increase heat to medium, and add 6 tablespoons sugar, stirring until sugar dissolves.

Remove from heat. Stir in buttermilk.

Remove and discard vanilla bean.

Spoon about ½ cup buttermilk mixture into each of 6 small glasses.

Cover and chill 6 hours or until set.

Top each serving with 3 tablespoons berry jam.

Garnish with mint sprigs, if desired.