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Smoked Paprika Strawberries on Whipped Labneh

Experience the vibrant interplay of sweet roasted strawberries infused with smoked paprika, served atop a luscious whipped labneh, accented with a crunchy amaretti crumble.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Appetizer, Dessert
Cuisine: Fusion, Mediterranean
Calories: 280
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Roasted Strawberries
  • 4 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and halved Use the ripest strawberries for the best flavor.
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika Adjust according to your preference for smokiness.
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • ¼ tsp flaky sea salt
  • ¼ tsp cracked black pepper
For the Whipped Labneh
  • 16 oz labneh or thick Greek yogurt If labneh is unavailable, thick Greek yogurt can be used.
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp lemon zest
  • 1 clove garlic, grated
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • ½ tsp fine sea salt
  • ¼ tsp cracked black pepper
For the Amaretti Crumble
  • 8 oz amaretti cookies, roughly crushed
  • ¼ cup almonds, toasted and crushed
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp orange zest
  • ½ tsp flaky sea salt
For the Garnish and Drizzle
  • 2 tbsp balsamic reduction for drizzling
  • 1 tbsp warm honey for drizzling
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika for dusting

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
  2. Toss the strawberries with olive oil, brown sugar, honey, smoked paprika, cinnamon, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, flaky sea salt, and cracked black pepper.
  3. Spread the strawberries in a single layer and roast for 20 minutes until they become jammy and weep their ruby juice.
  4. Allow the roasted strawberries to cool slightly while preparing the labneh.
Making the Whipped Labneh
  1. In a mixing bowl, beat the labneh with olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, grated garlic, honey, fine sea salt, and cracked black pepper until it achieves a cloud-like, silky consistency.
Preparing the Amaretti Crumble
  1. Crush the amaretti cookies into rough chunks, then mix them with the crushed almonds, olive oil, orange zest, and flaky sea salt.
Assembly
  1. Drag a generous swoosh of whipped labneh across a wide black plate using the back of a spoon.
  2. Spoon the smoky roasted strawberries generously over the labneh swoosh.
  3. Scatter the amaretti crumble across the strawberries.
  4. Drizzle balsamic reduction and warm honey over the assembly.
  5. Dust lightly with smoked paprika and crown with fresh basil leaves, flower petals, cracked black pepper, and flaky sea salt.

Notes

Keep any unconsumed components separately to preserve their textures. The whipped labneh can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days, while the roasted strawberries can be refrigerated, sealed, for up to five days.