Balsamic Marinated Strawberries with Basil and Black Pepper

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Balsamic Marinated Strawberries with Basil and Black Pepper

Serves 4 as Dessertor 2 as Salad.

I love strawberries with balsamic vinegar so I whipped this up. Added the basil when I saw a recipe from Mario Batali with basil in it.

I like it on thick and tangy yogurt (make yogurt cheese by draining some whey out of regular yogurt). Mario's called for ricotta. I bet it'd also be great on gelato/ice cream or with a dollop of crème frâiche.

• 1 lb fresh strawberries, cleaned and tops removed
  
• 2 T honey
  
• 2 T sugar
  
• 1/2 lemon's peel and juice
  
• 2 T best quality balsamic vinegar
  
• salt
  
• freshly ground black pepper
  
• 10 oz plain yogurt (I prefer Total Greek yogurt), ricotta, or similar
  
• torn basil leaves
  

1. Slice the strawberries and add to a bowl. Sprinkle on the sugar and honey until desired sweetness. Add a pinch of salt, the lemon rind (about 2 slices with as little pith as possible), and a small squeeze of the lemon juice. Let macerate for 10-15 minutes.

2. Immediately before serving, sprinkle with freshly ground black pepper (to taste), basil leaves, and balsamic vinegar.

3. Use it as a topping on whatever you want.

Keywords: Dessert, Salad, Easy, Italian

( RG1011 )