California Strawberry Commission, an official sponsor of the film festival

With delicious strawberry recipes and hosting tips it’s easy to create the perfect red carpet festivity at home.

www.harbingerideas.com/californiastrawberries


                                             Strawberry and Goat Cheese Pizza

Recipe and image courtesy of the California Strawberry Commission

This cool and elegant appetizer perfectly blends freshness with sweet, savory flavors and a dash of spice.

Ingredients

2 tsp. kosher salt 1 tbsp. olive oil 3 tbsp. white balsamic vinegar 3 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil ¼ cup aged balsamic vinegar ½ cup (4 ounces) softened goat cheese 4 cups fresh California strawberries, hulled and quartered ¼ cup (2 ounces) crumbled goat cheese coarsely ground black pepper baby arugula or mixed greens prepared pizza dough

Directions

To make white balsamic vinaigrette: simmer white balsamic vinegar until reduced to 1½ tbsp. Whisk in extra virgin olive oil. To make aged balsamic reduction: simmer aged balsamic vinegar until reduced to about 4 tsp. Heat oven to 400°F. On lightly floured surface, divided pizza dough into four pieces. Roll each piece of pizza dough into an 8-inch circle. Place on a baking sheet; bake in 400°F oven 10 minutes or until firm and slightly brown.

Spread pizzas with softened goat cheese. Toss strawberries with white balsamic vinaigrette; arrange strawberries evenly on goat cheese. Bake 10 minutes more. Remove from oven; scatter crumbled goat cheese on top. Drizzle with aged balsamic reduction; sprinkle with black pepper. Garnish pizzas with a few leaves of arugula or mixed greens.

Makes four 8-inch pizzas

http://www.californiastrawberries.com/