Balsamic Macerated Strawberries With Basil Food

STRAWBERRIES WITH BALSAMIC VINEGAR

Steps:

• Thirty minutes to an hour before serving, combine the strawberries, balsamic vinegar, sugar, and pepper in a bowl. Set aside at room temperature.
• Place a serving of the strawberries in a bowl with a scoop of ice cream on top and dust lightly with lemon zest.

BALSAMIC MACERATED STRAWBERRIES

Steps:

• 1. In a large bowl, combine the sugar and vinegar. Let sit for a few minutes to allow the sugar to dissolve.
• 2. Gently toss strawberries with the sugar and vinegar. Let sit at room temperature until the strawberries have released their juices but are not yet mushy, about 30 minutes. Do not let them sit more than 90 minutes.
• 3. Immediately prior to serving, stack the basil leaves on a cutting board, roll them vertically into a loose cigar shape and thinly slice very thinly across the roll to make a fine chiffonade of basil. This will be easy if you use a very sharp chef's knife.
• 4. Divide strawberries and their juices among four small bowls and scatter each portion with the basil. Top with whipped cream if desired.

BALSAMIC STRAWBERRIES

Steps:

• Boil 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar with 2 tablespoons honey, 1 bay leaf and a pinch of salt until thick, 4 minutes. Discard the bay leaf; let the syrup cool. Beat 1 cup mascarpone, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1 tablespoon sugar and 1/4 teaspoon vanilla with a mixer until soft peaks form. Toss 3 pints quartered strawberries with half of the balsamic syrup. Serve with the mascarpone mixture and the remaining syrup.

MACERATED STRAWBERRIES

Steps:

• In a bowl combine all ingredients. Let stand in refrigerator for 2 hours.

STRAWBERRIES WITH BALSAMIC VINEGAR

Steps:

• Place strawberries in a bowl. Drizzle vinegar over strawberries, and sprinkle with sugar. Stir gently to combine. Cover, and let sit at room temperature for at least 1 hour but not more than 4 hours. Just before serving, grind pepper over berries.