Strawberries with Balsamic Vinegar and Black Pepper

It's hot. And after a long stressful day at the office, I sometimes just don't want to cook. But also don't want to order unhealthy Chinese take-out. So it's great to find a way to prepare a simple, but quite wonderfully tasty meal. And of course, pairing it with a great wine is a bonus.

Here's an example. Strawberries macerated in balsamic vinegar with flavor boosts of fresh basil and black pepper.

Strawberries with Balsamic Vinegar and Black Pepper

Slice fresh strawberries and drizzle on a good aged balsamic vinegar. Let macerate (a fancy way to say "sit and stew") for about 20 minutes, then season with freshly ground black pepper and stir in finely chopped fresh basil. It's fine by itself, but I like to serve it spooned onto a couple of slices of fresh mozzarella (Thank you, Paula Lambert, for making the wonderful smoked mozzarella available here in north Texas!) with a piece of crusty bread.

Wine Pairing
This one's easy. A crisp dry rosé will serve as your strawberries in a glass. There are many bottles out there to try, but two of my favorites are the Miner Sangiovese Rosato or the Marques de Caceres from Spain. The Miner, served with these strawberries, was a hit at our recent wine dinner.