Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 16 large, perfect strawberries, preferably with stems
• 1 cup chilled heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons green creme de menthe
• 4 fresh mint sprigs, optional

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. In an ovenproof skillet just large enough to hold the strawberries in one layer, melt the butter in the preheating oven, 2 to 3 minutes. Watch carefully so that the butter does not burn. Remove pan from oven and stir in 2 tablespoons of the sugar. The mixture will be grainy. Add the berries, tossing to coat with the butter and sugar. Spread in a single layer. Roast, stirring and turning once or twice, until the berries just begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Gently roll the roasted berries in the pan syrup to coat, then let them cool for about 5 minutes in the skillet.
2. While the berries are roasting, whip the cream with the creme de menthe and remaining 1 tablespoon of sugar just until soft peaks form. Divide the chantilly cream among 4 shallow dessert bowls. Arrange the lukewarm berries in the chantilly cream, pointed ends up. Using a teaspoon, dribble the red pan glaze over the mint cream. Garnish with mint sprigs. Serve immediately.