Monday, November 12, 2007

Recipe: Strawberry with Balsamic vinegar and Mint

If you thought Balsamic vinegar and mint were only good for Mediterranean-style salads, well then think again, doofus!

~400g Strawberries
~60ml Balsamic vinegar
2 eggs
120g sugar
juice of half a lemon
1 Tbsp chopped mint leaves
200ml milk
400ml cream

1) Chop the green bits off your strawberries, cut the berries in half and put them in a bowl. Pour over your balsamic vinegar, stir until all the berries are coated and then leave to marinate for 30 minutes.
2) Put the strawberries and balsamic into a saucepan with about 80g of sugar. Crush the strawberries with a potato masher, and simmer for a few minutes until the sugar is dissolved. Put to one side.
3) Heat your milk then add it to the eggs, lightly beaten with the rest of the sugar. Pout it back into the saucepan and heat until custard forms.
4) Mix your strawberry-vinegar slop into the custard. Leave to cool down in the fridge.
5) When the mix is chilled, fold in the cream and then pop it in the ice cream maker. Hooray!

Verdict: Superb! The balsamic vinegar adds a subtle bite to the sweetness of the strawberries, while the mint provides a cool, summery vibe. It's a beach party in your mouth!