Strawberry Balsamic Crostini

strawberry balsamic crostini / loveandlemons.com

I have a soft spot for the trio of tomato, basil, & balsamic. Jack has a soft spot for soft cheese (ok, really, any cheese). Since I likely don’t need to explain how to make a tomato crostini, I made a little sweet twist on my favorite appetizer using strawberries instead.

You could toss the strawberries in balsamic, or go one extra step and reduce the balsamic into a pan until it becomes a more concentrated, tangy syrup. And be sure to get the sweetest strawberries and some good fresh mozzarella because when there are this few ingredients, each one counts.

strawberry balsamic crostini / loveandlemons.com

p.s. I’m sure this would be tasty (as a dessert) doused in chocolate, as it sort of looks in the photo.

p.p.s. how cute is that mini walnut cutting board? My cousin Steve made it for me… best hostess gift ever. (Hi cuz!)

strawberry balsamic crostini

 
Author:
Serves: scale ingredients accordingly
Ingredients
  • sliced strawberries
  • ½ cup balsamic vinegar (will reduce to ¼ cup)
  • baguette slices
  • olive oil
  • ball of fresh mozzarella, sliced
  • mint or basil
Instructions
  1. Thinly slice strawberries, and sprinkle with a little bit of salt. Set aside.
  2. Reduce balsamic into a syrup. In a small saucepan, heat balsamic until it just barely comes to a boil. Lower heat to a simmer and let it reduce (stirring occasionally) until it's about ½ the amount you started with. (5-7 minutes, depending on how much you have in your pan).
  3. While you're waiting for the balsamic to reduce, drizzle the bread with olive oil and toast or grill it.
  4. Assemble crostini with a piece of mozzarella, strawberries, a drizzle of the reduced balsamic and fresh mint.

14 comments

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Rate this recipe (after making it):  

  1. Sandi
    06.03.2015

    Hi, thought that cutting board looked familiar! See you soon?

  2. Crista from peacelovequinoa.com
    06.16.2013

    how did i never think of this?? great job.

  3. Janie from hedgecombers.com
    06.12.2013

    Strawberries with black pepper is one of my favourite taste duo’s, but I can imagine strawberry & balsamic may take prime postition from now on. it sounds delish!
    Janie x

  4. Tieghan from halfbakedharvest.com
    06.10.2013

    LOVE these! I just made Blueberry Basil Balsamic Mozzarella Crisp that were to die for! Cant wait to try your strawberry version! YUM!

    • jeanine
      06.11.2013

      wow, that sounds delicious, want to come over? 🙂

  5. Connie from heshewee.wordpress.com
    06.10.2013

    All your food looks amazing! I grab lots of inspiration from your site. Thank you!

  6. This looks fantastic, definitely trying it with strawberries + basil. It’s amazing how well strawberries substitute for tomatoes, and (occasionally) vice versa. I’ve been muddling strawberries and fresh basil leaves in my drinks – great with sparkling water + white wine.

  7. Kathryn from gravatar.com
    06.10.2013

    These are so pretty (and that chocolate idea is stellar!)

  8. I used to hate this combination before I knew/required the potential for enhancing sweetness. Totally thinking about making this in a dessert pizza for Friday TGIF night. And yes that is cute chopping broad ^_^.

A food blog with fresh, zesty recipes.
Photograph of Jeanine Donofrio and Jack Mathews in their kitchen

Hello, we're Jeanine and Jack.

We love to eat, travel, cook, and eat some more! We create & photograph vegetarian recipes from our home in Chicago, while our shiba pups eat the kale stems that fall on the kitchen floor.