I'm a big fan of reaching for a piece of fruit if I feel like something sweet. I'm NOT a fan of anyone who tells people to avoid fruit. I wrote about why we shouldn't be afraid of fruit HERE, so please go and read it if you have a wellness guru-induced fruit phobia. I'll be here waiting for you when you get back, m'kay?

Strawberries are one of my favourite fruits because they are a nutrient powerhouse! They are an excellent source of fibre and vitamins, especially Vitamin C (~60mg per 100g), folate (~24mcg per 100g), fat soluble vitamins Vitamins A, E and K, and essential B vitamins including riboflavin, thiamin, niacin, and vitamin B6. They also contain the minerals manganese, iodine, magnesium, phosphorous, copper, and iron. And best of all, they are rich in super-healthy phytonutrients that have powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in our bodies!

Balsamic Citrus Strawberries is a deliciously different way to enjoy this super-healthy fruit! This is a healthier version of a traditional Italian recipe that uses a LOT of sugar! I find that when I use fresh in-season strawberries plus the orange juice I really don't need any additional sweetener. But if you do, a little maple syrup will do the trick!

The combination of the orange juice and balsamic vinegar really bring out the flavour of the strawberries.

Here's how you make it:

Ingredients

2-3 punnets strawberries, washed, hulled and cut into halves or quarters (depending on their size)
Juice of one orange
2 tablespoons high quality balsamic vinegar
Optional: 1 teaspoon to 1 Tablespoon maple syrup. Make sure you taste your strawberries first. If your strawberries are in-season you probably won't need to add in any extra sweetener.

Method

Place strawberries in a bowl
Add in balsamic vinegar and orange juice and stir well. Taste, and only add in a little maple syrup if you REALLY feel it needs it.
Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour, stirring occasionally so the strawberries absorb the citrus and balsamic flavour.

Serve on their own or make a delicious parfait using my Citrus Cashew Creme.

Enjoy!!

Reference:

Giampieri F, Forbes-Hernandez TY, Gasparrini M, Alvarez-Suarez JM, Afrin S, Bompadre S, Quiles JL, Mezzetti B, Battino M. Strawberry as a health promoter: an evidence based review. Food & function. 2015;6(5):1386-98.