Fire Roasted Strawberries

Willy thought that he would put this recipe out there for someone of you he-men that wanted to try a grilled strawberry recipe to cook for you Valentine on this Valentine's Day.  Cook this for the wife and let her know you love her.   10-4 Willy

2 pints (20–24) fresh, large strawberries, washed and blotted dry
4 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup orange-flavored liqueur or 2 tablespoons water plus 1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
Vanilla ice cream

1. Hull the strawberries and then trim the stem ends so they will sit flat in the pan. In a medium bowl combine the berries with the sugar, vanilla, and liqueur and toss to coat.

2. Prepare the grill for direct cooking over high heat (450° to 550°F).

3. Use the soft butter to generously coat the bottom and sides of an 8-by-8-inch baking pan (suitable for the grill). The pan should be just large enough to hold the berries in a single layer with their sides almost touching (this allows the berries to gently support one another as they begin to soften). Remove the berries from the bowl and line them up so that they fit snuggly, pointing up, in the prepared pan. Pour the contents from the bowl over the berries.

4. Brush the cooking grates clean. Place the pan over direct high heat, close the lid, and cook until the strawberries are bubbling and beginning to slump, 8 to 12 minutes. Cooking times will vary depending on the variety, size, and ripeness of the strawberries. Watch closely to catch them before they collapse. Remove from the grill.

5. Spoon the pan juices over the berries to moisten them, let cool for 5 minutes, and then carefully cut them into quarters or leave whole. Ladle berries over ice cream.