Gluten Free Strawberry Balsamic Tart with Mint

Two weeks ago, I shared a recipe for Gluten Free Pie Crust. On this Meatless Monday, it’s time to fill it!

With all the yummy fresh strawberries I’ve been receiving in my weekly From the Farmer basket, I couldn’t resist making a Strawberry Balsamic Tart. This sweet and savory treat is perfect for a summer night and easy to transport to a friend’s BBQ as long as you leave it in the pan. It’s on the healthier side of dessert so feel free to indulge guilt-free or perhaps break the rules and have it for breakfast!

Gluten Free Strawberry Balsamic Tart


What You’ll Need:

  • 1 recipe of Gluten Free Pie Crust
  • 1/2 cup + 2 Tbs balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tsp raw (or lavender-infused…) honey
  • 1 pint fresh strawberries (washed, hulled and sliced) – or about 2 cups sliced
  • 5-10 mint leaves
How to Make It:
  1. Pre-heat oven to 400 F.
  2. Add balsamic to a saucepan and cook over medium heat until reduced by about half. Let cool and it should form into a nice syrup or “reduction.”
  3. Melt honey and add to the balsamic reduction. Stir to combine.
  4. Roll pie crust thin between two sheets of parchment paper. This doesn’t have to be perfect as you’ll press it into your pie dish or tart pan. Make sure you get all the way up to the edges and rim of the pan and spread the dough around evenly.
  5. In a large bowl, mix cut strawberries and balsamic/honey mix. Spread mixture evenly inside crust.
  6. Bake for 25-30 min or until the crust edges turn a nice golden brown. Remove and let cool 10-30 min. 
  7. Cut up mint leaves and sprinkle on top. Serve on its own or with a rounded scoop of vanilla ice cream or coconut sorbet.
Don’t forget, my readers receive 20% off their first 4 From the Farmer baskets with code ‘MOARfit’ at checkout!

Best Kale Salad w/ Honey-Chipotle Dressing

Though I’ve made a number of kale salads in my time, I have to say this is my best kale salad yet. Let’s get real here–I eat kale raw. I’m talking fresh out of the garden. I realize, however, not everyone is as crazy for kale as me.

The best way to make kale a crowd pleaser is to dress it up. The Honey-Chipotle Dressing I created for this kale salad is sweet, smoky goodness. It was a great complement to the grilled skirt steak I made to go alongside it, and even better the next day as my lunch at work (I added a piece of grilled salmon–mmm mmm). And as you’ve learned from my Kale Caesar Salad, Honey-Ginger Kale with Carrots, and Sweet Sesame Raw Kale Salad posts, this supergreen is an excellent source of vitamins A and K, calcium, and disease-fighting antioxidants.

If you’ve never had a raw kale salad, now is the time to give it a try. It’s easy, delicious and oh-so good for you.

Kale Salad with Honey-Chipotle Dressing

Best Kale Salad

What You’ll Need:

(for the dressing)

  • 2 large garlic cloves
  • 1 Chili in Adobo sauce
  • Juice from 1 lemon
  • 2 Tbs apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 2 Tbs honey
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper

(for the salad)

  • 2 bunches (or about 6-8 cups chopped) kale
  • 3/4 cup dried tart cherries
  • 1/2 cup toasted slivered almonds

Directions:

  1. Mix all salad dressing ingredients together in your blender.
  2. Chop, wash and dry your kale–removing any of the really thick, woody stems. Add it to a large mixing bowl.
  3. Pour dressing over kale and massage into the leaves for a minute, or until well coated.
  4. Cover and let it refrigerate for at least 3-4 hours before you plan to eat (like I said, it was great the next day!)
  5. When you’re ready to serve, remove it from the refrigerator and add your cranberries and almonds (goat cheese would also go well if you’re so inclined).

Big thanks to my Big Guy for being the sous-chef on this recipe!