Fresh Strawberries and Balsamic Dessert

Balsamic vinegar and strawberries – a luscious dessert that won’t ruin your diet!

You may be considering entertaining you mom for her birthday or Mother’s day. Knowing all her favorites and serving them to her in the comfort of her home is one way of showing her how much she is appreciated. You have created everything to perfection but are considering a wonderful dessert that would really create the perfect ending to a magnificent home cooked roast dinner.

If your mom is following a low fat, low carbohydrate or even low calorie diet you really don’t want to spoil it for her or put temptation in her way by offering an over-the-top calorific confection. You might consider a selection of fruit which is always acceptable. Strawberries are a popular and ideal choice but you don’t really want to sweeten them with sugar. Balsamic vinegar, as strange as it may seem, is a fantastic way to enhance the flavor of the fruit without adding too many calories. Once tried, you will never look back!

The topping for strawberries is made by reducing balsamic vinegar so that it takes on a syrup-like consistency. Or you could simply use Villa Bellentani Gran Reserva Balsamic for its wonderful sweet and sharp flavor and its dense texture. This distinct balsamic vinegar is the ideal accompaniment to enhance the flavor of the strawberries.

Follow the steps below to prepare your own balsamic dessert topping at home

Make a balsamic vinegar reduction by bringing to the boil until the volume of liquid is reduced to a quarter or half, and the vinegar will become like syrup in texture. This method of boiling vinegar or any liquid is known as reduction or boiling down.

Unlike other vinegars, balsamic vinegar has a distinct robust flavor which is due not only to the fact that it is produced from grapes but it is infused with the flavor of the wooden barrels that it is aged in. Just like fine wine, balsamic vinegar takes many years to produce and this is the reason for it being more costly than any other vinegar. The best balsamic vinegar comes from Modena in Italy.

Recipe for a balsamic vinegar reduction for fresh strawberries:

One cup of dark or white balsamic vinegar
Two tablespoons of sugar
Two cups of fresh ripe strawberries

Ensure that you use a saucepan that does not react to the acid content of the vinegar. Bring to the boil a mixture of vinegar and sugar. Once the sugar has dissolved, reduce the heat and simmer for about twenty minutes. Pay close attention to the liquid and stir occasionally to avoid the mixture burning. When the mixture is moderately thick like maple syrup remove from the heat and leave to cool. Prepare the strawberries by washing and cutting into thick slices with an ulu knife if available. Put the strawberries into a bowl and cover with the balsamic reduction ensuring that each strawberry is well coated. Place in a refrigerator to cool for an hour.

When ready to serve, garnish the strawberries and balsamic reduction with a few sprigs of fresh mint. You now have a wonderful, unique and festive dessert for a Mother’s Day celebration.

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