Spicy Strawberry Balsamic Jam & Spring Cheese Board!
Mar 30, 2016, Updated Sep 02, 2022
Spicy Strawberry Balsamic Jam is super easy to make + how to make a perfect cheese board for spring!
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This post is sponsored by Castello Cheese. All opinions are my own.
Spicy Strawberry Balsamic Jam + how to make a great looking (& tasting!) Spring Cheese Board!
What do you guys think about cheese boards? Fun right? I think they are so much fun! You don’t have to do much but the possibilities are endless. One can add so much to them depending on the occasion, weather and the best part is they look great with minimal effort. Cheese boards are so good for entertaining – variety of flavors, delicious cheese, fruits, there’s something for everyone. To celebrate spring, today I am sharing with you guys how to make a Spring Cheese Board.
When I think of spring, I think of colors and that’s what you can see in my spring inspired cheese board. It sure is colorful!
So let’s see what all you need to make a Spring Inspired Cheese Board.
Cheese: like duh! Obviously what’s a cheese board without some good cheese! Use a variety of cheese with different textures in your cheese board. For my spring cheese board, I used Castello Havarti Cheese and Castello Blue Cheese. Castello has always been my favorite since it offers a variety of creatively crafted cheeses. Their cheeses are deliciously balanced and come together to create a gourmet cheese board.
Fruits & Vegetable: Since it’s spring, think of adding lots of colors to your cheese board using fresh fruits and vegetable. I used strawberries, green grapes, black grapes and watermelon radish. You can use other spring fruits and veggies too like oranges, apples etc.
Condiments: My favorite part! For this cheese board, I made Spicy Strawberry Balsamic Jam (recipe below) and my favorite Cilantro Mint Chutney. Strawberries and balsamic pair great together in this jam which is spiced with some red chili flakes and black pepper. It goes so well the cheese! And of course I believe my cilantro mint chutney goes well with everything. These condiments also add a lot of color to the cheese board and make it look perfect for spring!
Nuts & Crackers: I like to add assorted nuts to my cheese board for texture. You can use any nuts of your choice here. Add different types of crackers and breads. There should be something for everyone!
And last but not the least, get creative, add lots of colors and have fun. You see how my jam and chutney not only add lot of flavor to the cheese board but also make it look really colorful. A colorful cheese board during spring is sure to catch attention!
Method
To a pan add strawberries and granulated white sugar. Keep them like this for 10-15 minutes with the heat switched off.
After 15 minutes, the berries would have released some of their juices. Now switch on the heat to medium.
Keep stirring as the sugar melts. After 5 minutes, most of the sugar would have melted.
Add cinnamon stick, cinnamon powder and keep stirring every now and then.
The mixture will come to a boil around 10 minutes.
Stir as it continues to thicken. It will start getting thick after 15 minutes of cooking.
At this point, add balsamic vinegar.
Mix till well combined and cook the jam for additional 5-10 minutes or till desired consistency is reached. Keep in mind that the jam will continue to thicken as it cools down so do not wait for it to get extra thick.
Remove pan from heat, stir in black pepper powder and red chili flakes. Mix till well combined.
Allow the spicy strawberry balsamic jam to cool down, then transfer to a jar and store in the refrigerator.
Spicy Strawberry Balsamic Jam
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds strawberries hulled and chopped [around 3.5 cups chopped strawberries]
- 1.5 cups granulated white sugar
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon powder
- 2.5 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes
Instructions
- To a pan add strawberries and granulated white sugar. Keep them like this for 10-15 minutes with the heat switched off.
- After 15 minutes, the berries would have released some of their juices. Now switch on the heat to medium.
- Keep stirring as the sugar melts. After 5 minutes, most of the sugar would have melted.
- Add cinnamon stick, cinnamon powder and keep stirring every now and then.
- The mixture will come to a boil around 10 minutes.
- Stir as it continues to thicken. It will start getting thick after 15 minutes of cooking. At this point, add balsamic vinegar.
- Mix till well combined and cook the jam for additional 5-10 minutes or till desired consistency is reached. Keep in mind that the jam will continue to thicken as it cools down so do not wait for it to get extra thick.
- Remove pan from heat, stir in black pepper powder and red chili flakes. Mix till well combined.
- Allow the jam to cool down, then transfer to a jar and store in the refrigerator.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Spicy Strawberry Balsamic Jam
Could you can this jam for use at a later date?
it will stay good for 2-3 weeks in the fridge
How long does this chutney last
should be good for 2 -3 weeks
Ms Manali:
Have you ever made this jam using fresh strawberries that have been frozen? Recommendations?
I haven’t but they will work just as well.
Spicy Balsamic Strawberry Jam tastes amazing! I made the recipe exactly using fresh local strawberries. I served it for a charcuterie board and had leftovers. Foodies love this! I shared with friends and family and got nothing but rave reviews. It pairs lovingly with wines (and beer) and cheeses but also goes delicious on breakfast toast. It also stores for a long time in the refrigerator. I recommend extra for gifts. Definitely a hit and a keeper. Thank you, Manali.
Welcome Maggie, glad you enjoyed it!
Jam sounds so flavorful and delicious. The cheeseboard is just amazing. Loved it!
Thank you Kushi!
Carrot chutney looks so flavorful, Manali. And this cheeseboard is so beautiful. Love how beautifully you have arranged and clicked it! Wonderful job!
Thanks Anu! I didn’t make that carrot chutney though, that recipe and video is by the brand.
this is the perfect spring cheese board and so pretty!!! love the video! where is the music from?! I love it!
Thanks Alice! I didn’t make that video so no idea where the music is from!
Cheese boards are always a favorite, and this one has all my happy things on it! Cashews, yay! And berries. And jam. I’m undone!
Cheese boards are the best! Thanks Mir!
That strawberry balsamic jam sounds amazing, especially with a little kick! Also loving your gorgeous spread 🙂
Thank you Medha! 🙂
Cheese boards might just be my favorite thing in the whole world with all the different textures, flavors, and naturally cheese! Your jam is just beautiful as is the whole board. Beautiful presentation!
I agree, they are so fun and versatile! Thanks Marcie! 🙂
This tray looks gorgeous! Need to make the jam! Sounds delicious!
Thank you Mira!
Wow, This cheese board looks great! And Love the spicy touch in this jam, I’m loving this
Thanks Rahul!
I agree, Castello does make the best cheese. This cheese board is stunning, Manali! I love love love that spicy strawberry balsamic jam! I am drooling and can imagine how delicious it tastes! Totally making this cheese board for Friday Appetizer Night! Pinned! Cheers, dear!
Thank you Cheyanne! Yes Castello Cheese is awesome! Thanks for the pin!
What a fun spin on strawberry jam! Must try this as soon as strawberries are in season in my area.
Thank you Megan!
Wow! Stunning! I love your photos and how colorful they are. Plus, I’m a cheeseaholic so you can bet I am drooling!!!
What a gorgeous cheese board, Manali! I love the idea of having the fresh flavor of the strawberry balsamic jam to go with the cheese and crackers! I have all those ingredients so I think I need to make that jam just to eat with a spoon! Sounds so yummy!
Thank you Joscelyn! Those flavors went really well together!
Strawberry Balsamic Jam! That sounds amazing! Love this cheeseboard…It is full of such wonderful yummy foods!
Thanks Kathy!
This is a really beautiful cheeseboard! I don’t think I’d be able to keep myself out of that jam. Such a great combination of flavors!
Thank you Amanda 🙂
I’m a drooling over the jam!! I’ve made a spicy strawberry chutney before but balsamic jam sounds insanely delicious. I don’t even need anything to eat it with. Just pass me a spoon!!
Thanks Jen! I ate it just like that, with a spoon!!
That cheeseboard is nothing short of amazing, Manali! I love all kinds of cheeses, and I totally want to just pick this cheeseboard up and walk away quietly. You can find me sitting in a corner eating the whole thing. 🙂
haha you can have it all David! Thank you!
What a gorgeous cheese board, Manali! I would gladly dive into this for breakfast, lunch, or dinner! And I love the strawberry jam you prepared. What a fun addition to this board!
haha me too! Thanks Gayle!
Now I just want the whole cheeseboard for the lunch! The spicy strawberry jam sounds so intriguing!
Thanks Angie, I just had it with my toast, it’s yum!