Strawberries with Black Pepper

Don’t pass over this recipe because it sounds strange.  I promise you will love it!  This is probably not a dessert you want to serve to your kids unless you want them to go to sleep, then give them a big helping, just kidding.  Because it has a lot of alcohol in it and it is not cooked the alcohol does not burn off so it’s not really for kiddos. 

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Strawberries with Black Pepper

Strawberries with Black Pepper

4-6 servings

1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns

2 pints strawberries, stems removed and cut in half or you can just cut in half if you want the pretty stems

1 Tablespoon sugar (you can use more if the strawberries are out of season and a bit tart)

1 1/2 Tablespoons Cognac

2 1/2 Tablespoons Grand Marnier

1-2 cups whipped cream* (Canned whipped cream, whip your own or even use Cool-Whip if you are desperate)

Place peppercorns in a ziptop bag.  Using a heavy skillet or mallet crush the peppercorns.  Do not use a spice grinder-the grind will be too fine.  You want big chucks of pepper.

Place strawberries in a large bowl and sprinkle with sugar.  Add Cognac, Grand Marnier and peppercorns.  Marinate in refrigerator for 30 minutes or longer.  If you are serving this at a dinner party just make before dinner and let sit in fridge until you are ready to serve.  The strawberries only get more liquored up-what can be wrong with that?

Serve in small bowls with a large dollop of whipped cream. 

* If you are going to whip your own cream here is the recipe:

1 cup heavy whipping cream

3 Tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

In a large bowl add all three ingredients.  Using a hand mixer, stand mixer or blender (you can use a whisk and your arm, but who wants a workout in the kitchen) mix until soft peaks form.  Store in covered bowl, jar or tupperware in the refrigerator for about 2 hours until ready to use.