Beautiful balsamic vinegar and a little ground black pepper bring out the sweetness of fresh strawberries in this delicious frozen treat.
Reprinted with permission from Perfect Pops by Charity Ferreira (Chronicle Books 2011).

Ingredients

• 2 cups sliced, hulled strawberries (from about 1 pound berries)
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 1/2 tablespoons good-quality balsamic vinegar
• Freshly ground black pepper

• Yield: 6 to 8 popsicles

Preparation

1. Place the strawberries and sugar in a food processor and pulse just until the mixture is finely chopped and juicy but still chunky; you don’t want a smooth purée. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the balsamic vinegar and a few grinds of pepper. 2. Spoon the mixture into ice pop molds and insert sticks. Freeze until firm, at least 6 hours or up to 1 week. 3. To unmold the pops, run hot water over the outsides of the molds for a few seconds, then gently pull the sticks.