Valentine’s Day is coming up! Here’s a fun and easy dessert to make for Valentine’s dinner. Balsamic Strawberries over Vanilla Ice Cream, complete with ground pepper and lemon zest.  Sounds like an odd combo, but give it a try and you’ll see it’s actually delicious! Pair it with some rich chocolate cake or lemon sugar cookies and you’ve got a decadent dessert to enjoy with your loved ones.

Ingredients: *Serves 4-6

  • 4 cups fresh strawberries
  • 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 2 Tbsp. honey
  • Few grinds of coarse black pepper
  • Zest from one lemon
  • Vanilla bean ice cream

Instructions:

  1. Wash and hull strawberries. Slice into bite-size pieces and place in mixing bowl.
  2. Combine vinegar, honey and pepper in small bowl, and stir until combined.
  3. Spoon 3/4 of vinegar mixture over strawberries and mix until combined. Let sit at room temperature for 1/2 hour or more.
  4. To serve, place ice cream in bowls. Toss strawberries again to cover with sauce. Spoon over ice cream. Drizzle with remaining vinegar.
  5. Sprinkle with lemon zest and serve.

*Note: The strawberries need to rest in vinegar mixture for about 1/2 hour before serving.

For more recipes like this, visit Kiwi & Carrot, produced by our recipe blogger, Sarah Romero.