Strawberry, balsamic vinegar and mascarpone cream pudding by liz isabella

Ingredients

250g/8oz strawberries (hulled)
1 tbsp grenadine

1 tsp black peppercorns

100g/3oz caster sugar

1 tsp balsamic vinegar

1 tbsp vanilla extract

1 tbsp strawberry liqueur or vodka (we used vodka)

200 ml/7 fl oz single cream

250g/8oz mascarpone cheese


Method

1) Place the hulled strawberries in a bowl and crush lightly with a fork or potato masher. Mix in the grenadine and set aside.

2) Place peppercorns in a pan. Heat on a stove for a few minutes, until the corns crack and roast. They'll look shiny. Allow to cool and then coarsely crush in a mortar and pestle.

3) In another bowl mix the caster sugar with the balsamic vinegar,vanilla and the liqueur or vodka. Mix in the single cream.

4) Beat the mascarpone and mix into the single cream mixture.

5) Spoon a little of the crushed strawberries into the bottom of martini glasses, wine glasses or knickerbocker glory glasses. Spoon over a little of the cream mixture, and sprinkle with some peppercorns.

6) Repeat until the glasses are full, finishing with the cream and the final sprinkle of pepper. Garnish with whole or cut strawberries.