Recipe

Strawberry Cream Parfaits with Black Pepper and Balsamic Syrup

Strawberry Cream Parfaits with Black Pepper and Balsamic Syrup

Photo by TasteFood

  • This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best Italian Dessert
    This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best Strawberries
  • Chef

    TasteFood's Notes: I have made this dessert for many years, and it never fails to surprise and please. Strawberries macerate in an intense balsamic vinegar syrup with black pepper. The pepper, surprisingly...

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Serves 8

For the balsamic syrup::

1/2 cup balsamic vinegar Ask the
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2 tablespoons sugar Ask the
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1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice Ask the
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  1. Combine vinegar, sugar and lemon juice in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Boil until syrup is reduced by half, 3-4 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl and cool completely. (Syrup may be made up to one day in advance. Cover and refrigerate.)

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  1. One hour before serving, combine strawberries and balsamic syrup in a large bowl. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon black pepper and gently toss to combine. Let sit at room temperature for one hour.

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  2. Combine whipping cream, Mascarpone cheese, sugar and vanilla extract in bowl of electric mixer. Beat until soft peaks form. (Cream may be prepared up to 4 hours in advance. Cover and refrigerate.)

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  3. Assemble parfaits: Divide half the strawberries among 8 glasses or bowls. Spoon cream over strawberries to cover. Spoon remaining strawberries over cream. Top with a dollop of cream. Drizzle with any remaining syrup.

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  4. To garnish, grind a little black pepper over cream and garnish with mint leaves and grated lemon zest.

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Wedding_pictures_162 Reply

I made tastefood's Strawberry Cream Parfaits for a dinner party last night. We all really enjoyed it. It was great to take to a dinner party because you could do everything ahead of time and then just put it together while coffee was brewing. The balsamic syrup was delicious (warning--the vinegar fumes are overpowering when it is reducing!), and the black pepper gave it a nice kick. The cream was very rich and not too sweet--some of us liked it that way and some of us wanted a little more flavor (Folding lemon zest or finely chopped mint into the middle layer were both suggested.) My only quibble--and it's minor-- was that the flavor of the strawberries kind of got lost in the syrup, which has a really strong flavor. (That might be OK if the strawberries are just OK, but strawberries are SO great right now.) I think next time I will prepare the strawberries and sprinkle a teaspoon or so of turbinado sugar over them, and then use the syrup as a drizzle in between layers instead of soaking the strawberries in it.

Cheese_for_twitter0001 Reply

Very interesting combo.

Green_apple_card Reply

Try it, you'll like it :)

Mrs Reply

This is how I want to eat my strawberries! Thanks for the recipe.

Chocolate_peppermint_truffle_cookies_032 Reply

Looks great! I think the addition of the black pepper is such an interesting one and looking forward to trying these strawberries with the mascarpone whipped cream.

Dsc_0019_2 Reply

This is so pretty and looks fantastic. I love strawberries with balsamic and this recipe looks perfect for a spring dessert!

Picture_11 Reply

Lovely!

Ry_400 Reply

Yum. I love berries and balsamic but this takes it to a whole new level!

Green_apple_card Reply

Thank you, melissav!

Monkeys Reply

Beautiful! I do love your glassware.

Green_apple_card Reply

Thanks, Monkey Mom. It was so nice to meet you last week!

N501413281_1273671_4870 Reply

oh that's gorgeous. i love the photo so much.

Green_apple_card Reply

Thanks, Shayma!

4948_93516475196_676225196_1997019_7147399_n Reply

great photo and sounds delicious

Green_apple_card Reply

Thank you - I hope you try it!

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Kim Boyce

Kim is a pastry chef & author of the award-winning whole grain baking book Good to the Grain.