Strawberries From The Heart

February is American Heart Month Go Red For Women, a topic near and dear to my heart, literally. I have Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP), a hereditary deficiency of the Mitral valve.
Go Red For Women is a nationwide movement that celebrates the energy, passion and power women have, to band together and wipe out heart disease. One in three women has cardiovascular disease, and every minute one woman dies as a result of this health threat. For more information about Go Red For Women, visit www.GoRedForWomen.org. Tommy over at Sticks of Fire has also published more details.
In honor of Go Red For Women, I’d like to share this heart healthy Strawberry Dessert.

Strawberries with Balsamic Reduction, Mascarpone, and Fresh Whipped Cream
1 Pint Fresh Strawberries
1 cup Balsamic Vinegar
2 tsp Sugar in The Raw
1 cup Heavy Cream
1 cup Mascarpone Cheese
Fresh Mint for garnish

In a sauce pan on Med-Low, reduce Balsamic vinegar until it is thick and syrupy. Watch closely and lower temp if needed.
Clean and Quarter strawberries. Toss with 1 tsp Sugar.
In a cold, metal bowl, add Heavy Cream and 1 tsp Sugar. Hand whip Heavy Cream until stiff peaks form. Be careful not to over whip, you’ll make butter. Fold in Marscopone cheese. Again, be careful not to stir.
Fill a Martini glass with 1 dollop of the Cream & Cheese mix in the bottom of the glass. Follow with a hearty helping of prepared Strawberries. Drizzle with a tsp of Balsamic reduction. Add a second small dollop of the Cream & Cheese mix. Top with a sprig of fresh Mint.