Balsamic Strawberries with Coconut Whipped Cream
Orange balsamic strawberries with coconut whipped cream – a sweet and sour dessert that is full of flavor yet still low in calories, paleo, vegan and gluten free!
I am the complete opposite of a hoarder.
There are few things I enjoy more than de-cluttering and throwing things out that we do not use. Living in a house that is less than 800 square feet that doesn’t have a lot of room for storage makes this a great quality to have. Feel free to open any cabinet or drawer in my house, you will only find things that are actually used. No junk around here!
Shawn, on the other hand, loves to keep everything. And I mean everything! When we were moving I discovered 2 huge boxes that were full of his homework and tests from elementary school thru high school. I’m talking worksheets, math homework, book reports, the works! I asked him why he kept it and he said it was for “just incase.”
After gently explaining to him that he is 27 years old and probably doesn’t need to hang on to Chemistry homework from 12 years ago, he agreed that box didn’t need to take up space in our 1 (yes 1!) storage closet. I haven’t been as successful at talking him into getting rid of the Mario Bros. bobble head he keeps in his desk drawer. That thing is here to stay.
However, if there is one thing I have waaaay too many of, it’s vinegars. I just counted how many are in my spice cabinet right now. There are 12 different vinegars. And our kitchen is teeny tiny! I just can’t bear to part with any of them! They’re best way to make different varieties of salad dressings and marinades for meat and vegetables.
We recently went out of town, and while exploring the shops I discovered an olive oil store that sold nothing but different varieties of olive oils and vinegars. It was better than a candy store for me. And while there, I found the most delicious 18 year aged balsamic vinegar. Naturally, I bought (3) 1.5 liter bottles of it, along with 4 other vinegars. It’s an addiction!
These orange balsamic strawberries with coconut whipped cream is one of the more unique ways I like to use vinegars. They’re not just for savory foods, vinegars are great paired with sweets too. I’m personally not a fan of super sweet desserts. I still enjoy cookies and cake and ice cream, but the desserts that get me the most excited have a combination of salty and sweet or sour and sweet. That’s what I love about these orange balsamic strawberries with coconut whipped cream. You have the sweet from the strawberries, honey and coconut whipped cream balanced with the tart/sour from the orange zest and balsamic vinegar. The flavor combination is simply delicious.
This is a great make ahead dessert that everyone loves. It’s what I’ll be serving up on Easter Sunday, since we’ll be getting enough sweet on sweet from the chocolate candies and jelly beans. And since it’s so healthy, paleo, vegan and gluten free it’s a dessert that anyone can enjoy guilt free.
Balsamic Strawberries with Coconut Whipped Cream
Ingredients
Orange Balsamic Strawberries
- 2 cups strawberries, stems removed and sliced
- zest from 1 orange, about 1 tablespoon
- 2 tablespoons good quality balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon or more to taste honey, or agave nectar for vegan
- mint for garnish, optional
Coconut Whipped Cream
- 1 14 ounce can Trader Joe's Coconut Cream (or full fat Thai Kitchen Coconut Milk), chilled in the fridge overnight
- 1 tablespoon or more to taste coconut sugar or honey, optional
Instructions
Orange Balsamic Strawberries
- In a medium size mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients for the orange balsamic strawberries and toss to combine. Let the strawberries marinate for at least 30 minutes on the counter, or up to 2 days in the refrigerator.
Coconut Whipped Cream
- Chill your mixing bowl and whisk attachment in the freezer for 10 minutes before making the coconut whipped cream. When bowl is chilled, remove the thick and hardened coconut cream from the can and transfer to your mixing bowl, leaving any excess moisture/coconut water in the can. If your can of coconut cream did not harden up, unfortunately you got a dud can of coconut cream and it won't whip into soft peaks. Use this can for cooking or baking instead, and try another can.
- Using a whisk attachment, beat on medium high for 2 minutes, until light and fluffy and soft peaks form. Scrape down the bowl. If adding sweetener, add coconut sugar or honey, then continue beating for another 2 minutes. I usually don't add sweetener, since the coconut cream has its own natural sweetness. But if you like it sweeter, feel free to add it.
Assembly
- In a martini glass or small bowl, make the dessert by adding desired amount of coconut whipped cream and topping with desired amount of balsamic strawberries. Garnish with mint and serve.
More of my Strawberry Desserts
Strawberry Coconut Milk Ice Cream
Buttermilk Strawberry Shortcake Biscuits
More Strawberry Balsamic Combinations by my Blogging Friends
Grilled Salmon with a Strawberry Balsamic Reduction by Sweet Peas and Saffon
Shredded Chicken Tacos with Balsamic Strawberry Salsa by Food Faith Fitness
28 Comments on “Balsamic Strawberries with Coconut Whipped Cream”
Oh, I am SUCH an anti-hoarder! Moving every couple years definitely helps… there is no way I want to lug around more than I have to! The packed garages of people who have lived in their houses for 20+ years definitely give me anxiety! LOL!
These strawberries look so yummy. Our local strawberry stands just opened up recently and today I finally stopped by for the first time and bought a flat. We ate half of them straight up before I could even think up any recipes! So yummy! But I’ll definitely be buying lots more in the next couple months. :)
These balsamic strawberries sound decadent and amazing. What a great combination!
Haha, I hate clutter! But now we have a big house and lots of places to hide it. Lol. I think I even still have some boxes of University stuff, but the Elementary stuff is long gone! These strawberries have me longing for summer so badly!
I love unique desserts like this! I don’t know what magic is strawberries with balsamic but it works! I was really excited to see the orange in here, too. I’ve never made that coconut whipped cream, so this gives me a fabulous reason to try it!
What a unique dessert idea! I love that orange zest :)
And thanks for linking my ice cream =)
haha Natalie you and I were destined to be friends. I also throw alway EVERYTHING. If I don’t use it, then I don’t need it. Nick is the complete opposite. He wants to keep everything….included paraphernalia from high school (stinky football clothes,old cleats, you get the picture lol) I secretly throw things away while he is away at work. Shhhh!
Loving this strawberry balsamic dessert. I love the sourness of vinegars paired with sweets. And I LOVE specialty olive oil stores! I have an amazing dark cherry balsamic that makes the best dressings. Vinegars are definitely not junk…those yucky football clothes on the other hand ;-)
I’m not necessarily a hoarder but I do have trouble getting rid of things! And clutter sure adds up fast! Can you please come over and help me clean out my closets?! And while you are here we can eat lots of these balsamic strawberries with coconut whipped cream :)
Nat, I also live in a condo (not house like you) that is less than 800 square feet and I don’t have lot of room for storage although I have a locker where I can put away few things. In my house you will never find cabinet or drawer full of junk too hahahah!
I love this beautiful desert, my friend!! But, do you believe that I’ve never had balsamic strawberries before?? Crazy, right?? Pinning it for later ;-)
I hoarded a ton of stuff until I got married, then suddenly I parted with all of my 80’s clothing that I was saving for some strange reason and my old homework. haha So funny!
I love balsamic vinegar with berries and ice cream SO much — it’s delicious! This is such an elegant and simple dessert that looks big on flavor! Pinned. :)
Oh my gosh, Natalie! I just laughed so hard. Josh still has homework papers and test from elementary school in an extra bedroom we have and it kills me! I totally don’t understand it at all, he’s even hoarding VHS tapes too. We don’t even have a VHS player haha..
I love these balsamic strawberries and what a great way to use your coconut whipped cream too!
Haha, old homework papers for “just incase” — that’s hilarious! But when it comes to food related items, it’s totally acceptable to have them in excess. It’s justified with this amazing recipe! This looks so incredible!
This looks AWESOME! So refreshing and delicious looking and I loveee the presentation!
I’m laughing so hard about Shawn keeping all that stuff! Kyle has everything saved too!! Luckily he left it at his parent’s house so I don’t have to deal with it. I’m the opposite of a hoarder too – I get rid of anything and everything that’s in my way and I don’t have a spot for. I shamefully have a cabinet designated to only oils and vinegars, so I totally get it! This recipe looks phenomenal! I can’t wait to try it!
My husband used to save everything too but has gotten better over the years after we moved four times since we got married. This looks so beautiful Natalie! I love the orange balsamic strawberries and it sounds amazing with the coconut whipped cream!
What a gorgeous presentation! Wow!
I’ve had so many people tell me how amazing strawberries are with balsamic, but I still have yet to try it! These berries seriously look SO gorgeous with that coconut cream and I’m totally wishing I could dig a spoon into my screen!
What a light and fresh dessert! I don’t like clutter either.
When I was little I used to save everything, but as I’ve gotten older, I now throw everything away! I love getting rid of things and de-cluttering. It’s such a good feeling! This dessert sounds SO amazing, Natalie! I love the combination of strawberries and balsamic, especially with your coconut whipped cream. This is such an elegant, yet easy treat! Love it!
Oh my, Natalie! Love the flavor profile of this delicious snack…. ummmm or dessert! What a lovely presentation too. Balsalmic strawberries are so mouthwatering and the addition of orange zest just makes the flavor profile even better! 800 sqft… I get it. We have what most would consider a small home too of 1300 sqft and it is perfect for us. No clutter here with exception to a few items I can’t seem to part with from college (why do I neeeeed my cap and gown?). We are very intentional about each purchase ‘for the house’ we make.