Elvis, I had strawberries with black pepper for dessert in a restaurant a few years back and loved the combination. Here is a recipe that I have been saving to try. Just haven't got around to it yet.

Fresh Strawberries with Black Pepper and Vanilla Mascarpone

Source: Gordon Ramsay

Some foods are natural partners, and
in the same way that fresh ginger accentuates the flavour of melon, black pepper brings a real kick to strawberries.

750g fresh strawberries, hulled and
sliced in half
2 tbsp icing sugar
125g mascarpone cheese
2 vanilla pods, split, seeds removed
Coarsely ground black pepper

1 Place the strawberries in a fruit bowl and dust with icing sugar. Leave to stand for 30 minutes to allow the juices to bleed.
2 Mix the mascarpone with the vanilla seeds and season with a pinch of pepper.
3 Divide the strawberries between four serving plates and place a generous spoonful of the mascarpone on top. Season with more black pepper to taste and serve.

Thanks a bunch, Ann--wonder if I find that cheese up here? Making it sounds too much like work ;0

Elvis, Mascarpone cheese is pretty common now and is usually found in the same section of your grocery store as ricotta cheese and cream cheeses. If you can't find Mascarpone cream cheese will do in a pinch.

Here is another recipe that might work for you.

STRAWBERRIES WITH
BALSAMIC VINEGAR AND BLACK PEPPER

Source: Samcooks.com

It may sound weird, but the piquancy of balsamic vinegar and freshly ground pepper adds a marvelous counterpoint to the sweet berries.
1 quart strawberries, washed and hulled
3 to 4 tablespoons cane or brown sugar, depending on the sweetness of the berries
2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1) Halve strawberries if large. Cut in thirds or quarters if very large. Put in a mixing bowl and sprinkle with sugar. Toss and set aside for 30 minutes.

2) Sprinkle vinegar and pepper on berries and toss again.

Serves 4

Ann

This one uses green peppercorns.

Here is a link that might be useful: Strawberries

Thanks!

You are very welcome Elvis.

Ann

Let us know if any come close!

I came here yesterday to search for strawberries and spinach salad, but ended up making the STRAWBERRIES WITH BALSAMIC VINEGAR AND BLACK PEPPER last night. It was great. Thank you, Ann, for posting it. Mike doesn't care for strawberries but ate two servings with much satisfaction. I really like it too!

I expect it I'll be making it a lot. It's very convenient to make and let mascerate for the 30 min. as you cook the remainder of a meal.

Speaking of black pepper, I had a dessert recently that was extremely good: Fig and Plum Crisp w/Black Pepper Ice Cream.