Biancomangiare with Strawberry Topping

 Ingredients:

- 500 ml whole milk (or almond milk)

- 100 grams sugar

- Half a vanilla bean (or vanilla extract or vanilla powder)

- A pinch of cinnamon (optional)

- 50 grams cornstarch

- For garnish:

  - Strawberry sauce (see recipe below)

  - Colored sugar sprinkles

  - Sliced almonds

  - Various dried fruits

Strawberry Sauce Ingredients:

- 250 g fresh strawberries, washed and chopped

- 50 g sugar

- Juice of half a lemon

Instructions:

1. Measure the milk. In a bowl, sift the cornstarch and pour in a couple of tablespoons of cold milk. Mix to dissolve well.

2. Once the cornstarch is well dissolved, pour it into a saucepan along with the rest of the milk and add the sugar and the seeds from half a vanilla bean. Add a pinch of cinnamon if desired. Place the saucepan on the heat and stir.

3. Within a couple of minutes, the milk will begin to thicken, becoming a cream. Pour the milk cream into pudding molds or aluminum cups. If you don't have molds, you can use aluminum cupcake liners. If preferred, you can make the blancmange in a single large mold.

4. Allow to cool, then refrigerate for at least 3-4 hours.

5. When ready to serve, gently remove the blancmange from the mold and place it on the serving plate.

6. Pour the strawberry sauce over it and decorate with colored sugar sprinkles, sliced almonds, various dried fruits, or other toppings of your choice.

7. Blancmange can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Strawberry Sauce Instructions:

1. Place the chopped strawberries in a saucepan along with the sugar and lemon juice.

2. Cook over medium-low heat for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the strawberries break down and the sauce slightly thickens.

3. Mash the strawberries with a fork or use an immersion blender to achieve a smooth and homogeneous consistency.

4. Continue to cook for another 2-3 minutes until the sauce further thickens.

5. Remove from heat and let it cool completely.

6. Store the strawberry sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Enjoy your biancomangiare with strawberry topping and your favorite toppings!