Marinated Strawberries with Cheese and Bacon
Yield: 30 strawberry appetizers
Cook Time: 7-10 minutes (for cooking bacon)
Tips: For freshest results, buy strawberries no more than 1 day before preparing, serve promptly after preparing and make only enough as needed for guests. Leftovers may be refrigerated, though some freshness and color might be compromised.
Suggestion: Serve as an easy cold appetizer for parties, holidays, brunch or as a snack.
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb. bacon
- 8 oz. mascarpone cheese
- 2 teaspoons coarsely ground black pepper
- 15 fresh strawberries
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh basil
- 1 teaspoon chopped flat-leaf parsley
Directions
Sauté bacon in a skillet over medium heat until deep brown and crispy. Transfer cooked bacon to a plate stacked with a few paper towels to drain. Allow bacon to cool, then crumble or cut into small bits (about 1/4 inch random squares).
Place mascarpone and pepper in a small mixing bowl and gently mix with a rubber spatula or electric hand mixer on low speed to incorporate the pepper evenly. Transfer the cheese and pepper mixture to a pastry bag with a plain tip and place in refrigerator. (If you don't have a pastry bag, simply cover the
Place mascarpone and pepper in a small mixing bowl and gently mix with a rubber spatula or electric hand mixer on low speed to incorporate the pepper evenly. Transfer the cheese and pepper mixture to a pastry bag with a plain tip and place in refrigerator. (If you don't have a pastry bag, simply cover the
bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Cheese can also be spooned onto the strawberries using a couple small spoons)
Trim leaves off of strawberries and cut in half lengthwise. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve (strawberries should be tossed with marinade just before serving).
Just before serving, combine balsamic vinegar, basil and parsley in a medium mixing bowl. Add strawberries and gently toss with marinade until all strawberries are coated. Arrange strawberries cut-side-up on a tray, then pipe (or spoon) a small amount of the cheese and pepper mixture onto each strawberry. Sprinkle bacon bits over cheese and serve.
Trim leaves off of strawberries and cut in half lengthwise. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve (strawberries should be tossed with marinade just before serving).
Just before serving, combine balsamic vinegar, basil and parsley in a medium mixing bowl. Add strawberries and gently toss with marinade until all strawberries are coated. Arrange strawberries cut-side-up on a tray, then pipe (or spoon) a small amount of the cheese and pepper mixture onto each strawberry. Sprinkle bacon bits over cheese and serve.