Strawberries with red wine and pepper

Recipe for Strawberries with red wine and pepper

Hello! This simple and delicious recipe combines the sweet flavor of strawberries with the intensity of red wine and a special touch of pepper. Perfect for a refreshing dessert that provides a unique contrast between fruits and spices, ideal for any kitchen occasion.

Preparation time

To organize your time well in the kitchen and achieve the perfect flavor in this recipe, consider the following times:

• Preparation: 15 minutes
• Cooking: 15 minutes
• Total: 1 hour 30 minutes (includes maceration)
• Servings: 4 people
• Difficulty: Easy

This duration considers the necessary resting time for the strawberries to absorb the flavors of the wine and pepper, a key step for the dessert to have depth in its flavor.

Ingredients for strawberries with red wine and pepper

For the base of macerated strawberries

• 500 grams of strawberries
• 5 tablespoons of sugar
• Zest of one orange
• Juice of one orange

For the spiced red wine sauce

• ½ liter of red wine Ribera del Duero
• 1 cinnamon stick
• Ground black pepper to taste

If you don't have Ribera del Duero wine, you can use any full-bodied and deep red wine. The key is that it should be a wine you enjoy drinking, as it will directly influence the flavor of the dessert.

Utensils we will use to prepare strawberries with red wine and pepper

• Large bowl for macerating
• Saucepan for cooking the sauce
• Sharp knife
• Cutting board
• Stirring spoon
• Fine sieve (optional)
• Containers for refrigerating
• Glasses or goblets for serving

The sieve is optional, but it can help clarify the sauce if you prefer a smoother texture without the orange peel or whole spices. There's no need to use professional utensils; a household sieve works perfectly.

How to make strawberries with red wine and pepper: step-by-step preparation

Macerate the strawberries

1. Wash the strawberries: Clean the strawberries thoroughly under cold running water to remove dirt or residue. It's important to do this just before using them to maintain their freshness and prevent them from softening.
2. Prepare the strawberries: Remove the stem and the white part right at the base. If you prefer, you can cut them into halves or quarters depending on their size, so that the maceration is faster and more uniform.
3. Macerate with sugar and orange: Place the strawberries in a large bowl and add the 5 tablespoons of sugar along with the orange juice and zest. Stir gently so that the sugar begins to dissolve and the strawberries start to release their juice. Then, cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. This enhances the flavor and softens the fruit.

Prepare the red wine and spice sauce

1. Combine ingredients: In a saucepan, pour the red wine along with the juice resulting from macerating the strawberries and the orange peel. Add the cinnamon stick so that it releases its aroma during cooking.
2. Cook the sauce: Heat over medium heat and let it simmer gently for 15 minutes. During this time, the wine will reduce and concentrate its flavor, developing the characteristic notes of Ribera del Duero along with the cinnamon.
3. Incorporate the pepper: Add ground black pepper to taste. The pepper complements the sweetness with a spicy touch that balances and gives character to the dish. Continue cooking for a few more minutes to fully integrate the flavor.
4. Add the strawberries to the sauce: Incorporate the macerated strawberries into the saucepan for only 1 minute so they absorb the flavor without losing their texture. Remove them with a slotted spoon and store the strawberries in the fridge while you continue reducing the sauce for another 14 minutes or until the desired concentration is achieved. This ensures the fruit remains firm and refreshing.

To finish and serve

Once the sauce is ready, remove it from the heat, take out the cinnamon stick, and let it cool. Serve the strawberries in glasses or cups and pour the red wine sauce over them. The contrast between the cold strawberries and the slightly sweet and spiced sauce is key for a dessert balanced in flavor and texture. To complement, if you're looking for a creamier and fresher touch, this dessert is very enjoyable accompanied by a little vanilla ice cream, which will add an extra dimension to the whole.

For those interested in more diverse combinations, this recipe shares a similar base with other delights such as the cheese and strawberry muffins or fruit desserts that combine fresh texture with peculiar notes of sweet cuisine.

The role of red wine and pepper in the flavor of the strawberry dessert

Red wine is not just a cooking liquid, but a component that adds depth and mouthfeel. In this recipe, its function is to provide tannins and earthy aromas that balance the natural sweetness of the strawberries. The type of wine matters: a Ribera del Duero, known for its medium to robust body, adds fruity and spicy notes that enrich the mixture.

Black pepper, on the other hand, is a spice normally associated with savory preparations, but when well-dosed, it offers a spicy counterpoint that awakens the palate. Here, this function is fundamental because it prevents the dessert from being too one-note and adds a complex layer, making each bite surprising and different.

This balance between fresh fruits, sweetness, spices, and wine is classic in many current home cooking recipes because it uses simple ingredients to achieve professional results. Furthermore, the mixture allows experimenting with different spices or wines, adapting the flavor according to the season or personal taste.

Strawberry selection and the importance of ingredient quality

The final result of this recipe largely depends on the initial quality of the strawberries. It is advisable to choose firm, bright, and blemish-free strawberries, as damaged or overly ripe strawberries can alter the texture and flavor. Strawberries should be in season to achieve maximum flavor and juiciness.

Likewise, wine plays a fundamental role. A cheap or low-quality red wine can give a bitter or unbalanced taste. Therefore, although the dessert is simple, it is worth investing in a good wine that you can also consume in other preparations or even on its own, to fully enjoy it.

The freshness and purity of the ingredients ensure that the dessert not only has flavor but also an interesting nutritional contribution. Strawberries are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, and combined with the properties of red wine and its phenolic compounds, this dessert has a favorable nutritional profile among fruit desserts.

Tradition and creativity: strawberries with red wine with a modern touch of pepper

This recipe is a perfect example of how traditional cuisine can be enriched with contemporary details without losing its essence. Strawberries in red wine are a classic in many homes, appreciated for their freshness and delicacy, but adding black pepper provides an innovative element that awakens the senses.

Over time, many recipes have been limited to the sweetness of sugar and the aromas of cinnamon, but nowadays more and more home and professional chefs are exploring spiced mixtures to give it a different twist. Integrate pepper in moderation so as not to overpower the sweetness or obscure the natural flavor of the fruit.

This transformation is also ideal for those who enjoy experimenting in the kitchen without complications. The recipe maintains clear steps and accessible techniques, making the mixture of strawberries and red wine a novel yet friendly experience. You can try variations with other spices like cardamom or clove, but the base of this recipe with pepper remains an exceptional starting point.

Maceration and temperature: keys to achieving a fresh and tasty dessert

Macerating the strawberries with sugar and orange is fundamental for several reasons. First, the sugar helps the fruit release its juices and soften, while the acidity of the orange intensifies the flavor and provides a fresh touch. Cold maceration for 2 hours in the refrigerator ensures they remain firm but juicy and that the flavors integrate in a balanced way.

Temperature also plays an important role during the cooking of the sauce and the final assembly. Reducing the wine over medium heat allows the flavors to concentrate without burning the sugar or spices. When you add the strawberries for only one minute to the hot sauce and then cool them, you preserve the texture of the fruit and prevent it from becoming soft or overcooked.

This delicate handling of times and temperatures is key for the mixture to maintain its characteristic contrast between freshness and the intense flavor of the wine. It is a detail that makes the difference between a homemade preparation and a more polished one that you can offer as an attractive and memorable dessert.

Tips for adjusting the pepper and varying the dessert to taste

The amount of ground black pepper is one of the adjustments that allow customizing the recipe according to taste. For those who prefer more subtle flavors, a small pinch will be enough to feel a slight spicy touch. If you want to intensify the spice more, you can gradually increase it to achieve a noticeable but never dominant spiciness.

An interesting variation is to use pink pepper or a mix of several peppers, to add different aromatic nuances. You can also experiment with less sugar and a touch of white vinegar to achieve a less sweet and more complex dessert, as in some similar recipes that use vinegar to enhance fruit juices.

Finally, for those who desire a more refined presentation, assembling the dessert in small individual glasses or using accompaniments such as whipped cream or mango ice cream like the artisanal mango and coconut ice cream can provide a creamy contrast that adds freshness and texture.

When is it ideal to enjoy strawberries with red wine and pepper?

This dessert is ideal for special occasions or when looking for a light and sophisticated finish after a meal. Its freshness and flavor combine well in summer or outdoor dinners, as well as in intimate celebrations due to its uncomplicated elegance. It also works well as a treat on warm days when something sweet yet cool and refreshing is desired.

Thanks to being very easy to prepare and able to be left to macerate in advance, it's perfect for when you have guests and want to surprise them without investing much time in the kitchen. Furthermore, the mix of fruits and spices makes it versatile for different tastes, offering an alternative to traditional desserts that rely on sugar and butter.

5 tips to perfect strawberries with red wine and pepper at home

1. Choose fresh and firm strawberries: Always select strawberries that are ripe but firm, without blemishes or soft spots so they maintain their texture after maceration.

2. Do not overcook the fruit: Cooking the strawberries for more than a minute in the sauce can make them too soft and lose their freshness. Incorporating them quickly at the end is key.

3. Use a medium-quality wine: The final result depends heavily on the wine. An expensive wine is not necessary, but one that has good flavor and is not too acidic is.

4. Adjust the pepper calmly: Start with a little ground pepper and taste before adding more, so as not to overpower the sweet and fresh flavor of the strawberries.

5. Refrigerate properly: After cooking and macerating, keep the dessert well refrigerated so it is fresh when served and so the flavors integrate with freshness.

Comparative table of strawberry-based desserts with a special touch

Share your experience

Cooking is for experimenting and sharing. Leave your comment and tell us your own tricks for preparing strawberries with red wine and pepper, or how this recipe turned out for you and if you tried accompanying it with other fruits or desserts like the Greek yogurt parfait with strawberries!

Culinary glossary

• Macerate: To let a food rest in a flavored liquid so that it absorbs its aromas and softens its texture.
• Reduction: To cook a liquid so that part of the water evaporates and the flavor and texture concentrate.
• To Grind: To crush hard ingredients, in this case pepper, to release flavor.
• Zest: To finely peel the skin of a citrus fruit to use its aroma and oil in the recipe.
• Rest: To leave a preparation to rest so that flavors integrate or it cools down.