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Fresh Strawberry Sauce with Black Pepper and Cabernet

April 18, 2017 By justalittlebitofbacon 10 Comments

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Ready to try something new? I hope so, because I have an amazing fresh strawberry sauce for you! First I cook the strawberries in wine, instead of water, which gives them such depth of flavor. Then, I hit you with some black pepper, which makes them so sweet and almost candy-like! This is a strawberry sauce you have to try.

Strawberry sauce with a twist! Fresh strawberries are simmered in wine and spiced with black pepper for an intense and complex flavor. Great on shortcake, cheesecake, ice cream, pancakes, waffles and more! | justalittlebitofbacon.com

I adore making interesting compotes and fruit sauces, like my Rhubarb Orange Compote and Cinnamon Spiced Blood Orange Compote. So, when I read about people adding black pepper to strawberries, I had to try it, and I’m glad I did. 🙂

If you’re still reading this, you’re intrigued and not running away. Good! Black pepper and strawberries are one of those combinations which seems like it’s never going to work. It’s just going to be too weird. But then…it isn’t.

It’s not weird at all.

What it is, is awesomely tasty! Like chocolate or caramel and salt. I’m old enough to remember when that was really out there and most people had never tried them together. Take it from someone who isn’t the biggest fan of black pepper (yes, that would be me – I don’t like how it smells and half the time I forget to even add it to my recipes), strawberries and black pepper works completely.

I could eat this strawberry sauce with a spoon. Actually I have…

Strawberry sauce with a twist! Fresh strawberries are simmered in wine and spiced with black pepper for an intense and complex flavor. Great on shortcake, cheesecake, ice cream, pancakes, waffles and more! | justalittlebitofbacon.com

And it’s so easy!

A handful of ingredients and 15 minutes is all you’re going to need. However, since you have so few ingredients, you need to make them the best you can.

  • You want a nice, and drinkable, but not expensive Cabernet. One that’s a little fruity with soft tannins is just right!
  • Fresh pepper!! No stale pepper or your sauce will be sad. Say no to sad sauce.
  • The ripest strawberries you can find! It’s a strawberry sauce after all. You want to be hit in the mouth with strawberries. 😉
  • The best balsamic you have on hand. You’re not using much, which means it needs to be intense.

Strawberry sauce with a twist! Fresh strawberries are simmered in wine and spiced with black pepper for an intense and complex flavor. Great on shortcake, cheesecake, ice cream, pancakes, waffles and more! | justalittlebitofbacon.com

And that’s it! Congratulations, you have fresh strawberry sauce with black pepper. Just think of how much fun it’ll be to surprise people with your secret ingredient. (Noting that we should respect people’s allergies. No keeping it secret if anyone could be allergic to black pepper!)

Now that you have this amazingly tasty sauce, the only problem is how to use it. Which is no problem at all, since there are so many ways! Make pancakes. Serve it with pound cake or angel food cake. Make cheesecake!

Or, go with my favorite, have it over ice cream! When I made my Cannoli Ricotta Ice Cream recently I scooped some out and topped it with the strawberry sauce. So good! So yummy!

– Happy Eating, Annemarie

Strawberry sauce with a twist! Fresh strawberries are simmered in wine and spiced with black pepper for an intense and complex flavor. Great on shortcake, cheesecake, ice cream, pancakes, waffles and more! | justalittlebitofbacon.com

Strawberry sauce with a twist! Fresh strawberries are simmered in wine and spiced with black pepper for an intense and complex flavor. Great on shortcake, cheesecake, ice cream, pancakes, waffles and more! | justalittlebitofbacon.com
Print Recipe
5 from 2 votes

Fresh Strawberry Sauce with Black Pepper and Cabernet

Strawberry sauce with a twist! Fresh strawberries are simmered in wine and spiced with black pepper for an intense and complex flavor. Great on shortcake, cheesecake, ice cream, pancakes, waffles and more!
Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time10 mins
Total Time15 mins
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Italian
Servings: 3 cups
Author: Just a Little Bit of Bacon

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Cabernet wine
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 tsp finely ground black pepper
  • 1 lb strawberries, sliced
  • 1 tsp balsamic vinegar
  • pinch kosher salt

Instructions

  • In a medium pot, bring the Cabernet, sugar, and 1/8 tsp of the pepper to a boil over medium high heat. Keep the syrup at a good boil and let it cook down for 5 minutes. Add the strawberries, bring the syrup back to a boil and then lower the heat to medium. Cook for 5 minutes. Take the syrup off the heat, add the balsamic and a pinch of salt. Taste the syrup and add up to another 1/8 tsp of black pepper.
  • Serve warm or room temperature over ice cream, pancakes, angel food cake, cheesecake, and more.

Notes

  • I used a fine grind on my pepper mill which kept the pepper from being too obtrusive. I like the flavor of the pepper in the sauce, but I don't want to chew on it.
  • The exact amount of pepper will depend on your tastes and how spicy you like it.
  • Oh, and use freshly ground pepper! It makes a lot of difference.
Strawberry sauce with a twist! Fresh strawberries are simmered in wine and spiced with black pepper for an intense and complex flavor. Great on shortcake, cheesecake, ice cream, pancakes, waffles and more! | justalittlebitofbacon.com
Strawberry sauce with a twist! Fresh strawberries are simmered in wine and spiced with black pepper for an intense and complex flavor. Great on shortcake, cheesecake, ice cream, pancakes, waffles and more! | justalittlebitofbacon.com

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Filed Under: 15 minutes or less, 5 ingredients or less, desserts, fruit, gluten free, recipe, sauces and condiments, spring, sweet treats, vegan, vegetarian Tagged With: strawberries, wine

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Comments

  1. Tasting Page says

    April 24, 2017 at 7:37 pm

    I’m so excited to see all of the beautiful strawberries at the market now. Your sauce looks like the perfect recipe to use some of the fresh produce!

    Reply
    • justalittlebitofbacon says

      April 25, 2017 at 9:52 am

      Yes! It’s good with basic supermarket strawberries, but amazing with fresh strawberries.

      Reply
  2. Lisa | Garlic & Zest says

    April 24, 2017 at 7:28 pm

    5 stars
    I’m liking the sound of this sauce. Smothered over pound cake with ice cream – YES!

    Reply
    • justalittlebitofbacon says

      April 25, 2017 at 9:51 am

      Yep! That’s what we did last night! 🙂

      Reply
  3. Platter Talk says

    April 24, 2017 at 6:59 pm

    5 stars
    Very unusual and creative topping for ice cream. I’d love to try this. Now. : )

    Reply
    • justalittlebitofbacon says

      April 25, 2017 at 9:51 am

      Thank you! 🙂

      Reply
  4. Kim @ Three Olives Branch says

    April 24, 2017 at 5:09 pm

    Oh my this sounds so amazing! It would be great on SO many different desserts! Can’t wait to make it!

    Reply
    • justalittlebitofbacon says

      April 25, 2017 at 9:49 am

      We had it over pound cake last night and it was wonderful!

      Reply
  5. Monica | Nourish & Fete says

    April 24, 2017 at 4:38 pm

    This sounds amazing! I love strawberries with balsamic vinegar and cracked pepper, but have never thought to use wine for a strawberry sauce instead. This would be an incredible way to dress up ice cream!

    Reply
    • justalittlebitofbacon says

      April 25, 2017 at 9:09 am

      Thanks! The wine adds another dimension. Just make sure you use a fairly light Cab, though that’s easy to do if you are using an inexpensive wine. 🙂

      Reply

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Hello, I’m Annemarie

Welcome to my kitchen! I’m a Italian-American girl who loves fresh foods, local ingredients, and all sorts of comfort foods. Here you will find Mediterranean flavors and recipes from a New England perspective.

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