Modern springtime charoset

April 16, 2008

MAKES 30 SERVINGS

2 cups fresh strawberries, cored and cut in half

1/4 cup freshly squeezed blood orange juice (see Note)

Zest of � lemon

1/4 cup honey

1 tablespoon dried lavender (optional)

� cup toasted, shelled unsalted pistachios, coarsely chopped

1 cup blood orange sections

Several mint leaves, cut into thin strips

Place strawberries in a medium bowl. Add blood orange juice and lemon zest. Allow mixture to marinate. In a small saucepan, heat honey. Add lavender, if using, and remove from heat. Cool the honey mixture. Strain out lavender and discard. With a potato masher, lightly mash strawberries. Add honey, pistachios, orange sections and mint strips. Stir to combine. Refrigerate.

Note: Blood orange juice, blood oranges and mint leaves are available at Whole Foods. Dried lavender is available in specialty spice or tea shops.

Chef Laura Frankel

Nutrition facts per teaspoon: 26 calories, 1 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 4 g carbohydrates, 0 g protein, 0 mg sodium, 0 g fiber