Strawberries with Mint Whipped Cream

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 packed cups fresh mint leaves and stems, coarsely chopped, plus sprigs for garnish
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 quart strawberries, hulled and thinly sliced

Directions:

1. Make syrup: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, bring sugar, mint, and 2 tablespoons water to a boil. Remove from heat; steep 15 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a measuring cup, pressing to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard solids. Let cool (makes 1/4 cup).
2. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whip cream until stiff peaks form. Gently fold in 1/4 cup syrup (store any remaining syrup); if needed, re-whip cream to stiffen.
3. Spoon alternating layers of strawberries and cream into four serving glasses.  Top each with a mint sprig.  Serves 4.