Recipe: Fried strawberries with basil and whipped cream

When it comes to choosing strawberries, my favorite type is the Korean variant as they're usually much juicier and sweeter . If we cannot get our hands on the Korean ones, then we would go for the Australian or US ones. Other than eating them fresh, I also like cook the strawberries quickly with a teeny bit of sugar and red wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar, which the kids enjoy.

Fried strawberries with basil and whipped cream

The strawberries are pan fried with sugar, vanilla extract and red wine vinegar for a couple of minutes. The strawberries will soften a little and usually tastes much juicier. I like to serve them with whipped cream or Mock Devonshire cream, some fresh basil leaves and a touch  of grated dark chocolate or chocolate chips (for the kids). I feel that basil goes very well with the strawberries, and since it is quite a mild tasting herb, even the kids would eat them up. Plus these herbs are grown in our own garden, so all the better! This is another simple, and delicious dessert recipe that you can prepare in no time.

For the kids

Cutie Baby C with her fried strawberries dessert

Fried strawberries with basil and whipped cream
Recipe by Baby Sumo, with adaptions from BBC Food - Tony Tobin
Preparation time: 5 - 10 minutes
Cooking time: 4 minutes
Serves 3-4

Ingredients
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

250g fresh strawberries, hulls removed (I skipped this step)
1 tbsp caster sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract or essence

1 1/2 tbsp red wine vinegar (or 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar)

To serve
150ml whipping cream, whipped until soft peaks or 150g Mock Devonshire cream

2-3 basil leaves, washed and cut into thin strips

Mint sprig, to garnish (optional)

Dark chocolate shavings (optional)
Chocolate chips (for the kids)


1. Heat one tablespoon of the oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat, add the strawberries, caster sugar and vanilla extract, and cook for 1 1/2 minutes.

2. Add the red wine vinegar and turn up the heat (to medium high). Cook for another 2 minutes to reduce, then stir in the remaining tablespoon of oil.

3. To serve, place the whipped cream on the serving plate and top with the strawberries. Grate some dark chocolate (or chocolate chips) over the strawberries, then sprinkle the basil leaves on top. Garnish with mint sprig and serve.

They taste much better than being pan fried :)

*This recipe was featured on Asian Food Channel's FB page on 27 November 2012.