Gabeday Desserts: Balsamic Strawberries & Tiramisu Cake

I totally made up this dessert and it was sooooo good. Ok well actually I'm sure at some point I've seen roasted balsamic strawberries onthe foodporn sites, and strawberry-basil drinks and stuff, so I had some help. But seriously this was amazing and so easy, make it right now. Of course yours won't be as beautiful if you don't have a basil plant from which to pluck the tiny baby leaves... so go get a basil plant. really there is no excuse for not having one (other than no windows).

Strawberries with Strawberry-Balsamic Jam, Whipped Cream, and Basil

1 box strawberries, halved
~1/4 c balsamic vinegar
~2 tbs sugar
~1/2 c frozen strawberries, defrosted and pureed/mashed (optional)
1 tsp strawberry extract (optional)
~ 1/2 cup heavy cream
1 tsp vanilla
tiny basil leaves or julienned grown-up leaves

I made a strawberry-balsamic jam, but you can also just make a sweet balsamic reduction. Combine balsamic vinegar, sugar, and optional frozen strawberries and/or strawberry extract in a pot. Simmer until thickened - pure balsamic should be maple syrup consistency, balsamic

and strawberries should be more like a loose jam. Both will firm up quite a bit in the fridge, which is where you should store them for at least an hour.
Make your whipped cream by beating the cream and vanilla together.

Arrange the strawberries on a dish. Smear each one with a bit of balsamic reduction (you canuse more if it's balsamic-strawberry jam cause it will be less intense) and top with a scoop of whipped cream and a bit of basil. Enjoy!