Strawberries with Cointreau

1 orange
3 tbsp. (45 mL.) granulated sugar
5 tbsp. (75 mL.) water
3 tbsp. (45 mL.) orange-flavoured liqueur (cointreau)
3 cups (750 mL.) strawberries, halved or quartered
1/2 cup (125 mL.) whipping cream
icing sugar
4 whole strawberries, for garnish

Peel wide strips of zest without the pith from orange and cut into very thin strips. (Put aside rest of orange for another use.)

In small saucepan, combine granulated sugar and water; bring to the boil over high heat. Add orange zest; reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let syrup cool; stir in liqueur.

Put berries in bowl. Add syrup and orange zest; set aside for 2 hours.

Whip cream and sweeten to taste with icing sugar.

Serve strawberries topped with whipped cream and garnished with a strawberry. Makes 4 servings