How to Make Balsamic-Brandy Strawberries

As the summer approaches strawberry festivals start popping up like, well, strawberries. Flats of glistening red strawberries take center stage at these festivals and farmers markets. Take advantage of these ripe summer jewels by serving them for simple summer desserts.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• ½ lb ripe strawberries
• 6 Tbsp fine aged balsamic vinegar
• ½ c maple syrup
• 1 Tbsp brandy
• 1 pt vanilla ice cream
• Above ingredients
• Medium sauce pan
• Spatula or Wooden Spoon

1. When choosing strawberries, look for berries that deep red in color with little white at the top and are bright and shiny. Any strawberries that have blemishes should be tossed out.

2. Wash the strawberries well. Cut the top green part of the strawberry off.

3. Cut the strawberries in half lengthwise, keeping the pieces bite-sized. If necessary, cut the strawberry into three equal pieces. Set aside.

4. Heat a medium sauce pan over medium heat. Add the maple syrup to the pan and gently heat it until the syrup thins.

5. Add the balsamic vinegar to the pan and whisk vigorously to incorporate the vinegar with the syrup.

6. Add the brandy to the sauce and simmer for a minute to cook the alcohol out of the brandy.

7. Taste the sauce and adjust the flavors to your tastes.

8. Add the strawberries to the sauce pan and stir gently to coat the strawberries. Let the mixture cook for a further minute, until the strawberries start to release some of their juice.

9. Serve hot over vanilla ice cream.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have very fine-aged balsamic vinegar, aged at least 60 years or more, consider serving this straight with fresh cut strawberries and ice cream.
• You can find fine aged balsamic vinegar in a well-stocked gourmet food store.

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