INGREDIENTS
16 oz. (1 pint clamshell) strawberries
2 Tbsp. white sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. coarsely ground black pepper, plus extra for finishing
Several sprigs fresh mint, leaves stripped from the stems and chopped fine, divided
1 cup heavy cream
1 to 2 Tbsp. confectioner\’s sugar
PREPARATION
• Rinse, trim and slice the strawberries. In a small bowl, combine the strawberries, sugar, vanilla, pepper and 1 tablespoon of the finely chopped mint. Set the mixture aside to macerate at room temperature for 1 hour.
• Whip the cream to soft peaks and gently stir in the confectioner\’s sugar. Mash the berry mixture and fold it gently into the whipped cream until the cream is streaked irregularly with pink and studded with berry chunks. Spoon into four glass bowls.
• Lightly sprinkle each serving with a little more pepper and the remaining mint.
This article appears in Feb 1-28, 2009.