Fresh Berries with a Mint Vinaigrette

I am in love with this salad. I have been making it every single week for the past month and can't imagine ever being sick of it. It is so fresh, healthy, and flavorful....what's not to love? A girl in my neighborhood is going to culinary art school and she taught a cooking class about cooking with herbs. Best class I ever took!!

FRESH BERRIES WITH A MINT VINAIGRETTE

• 3 cups mix of strawberries, blueberries, raspberried, and/or blackberries - hulled and quartered (it tastes great with only strawberries too)
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1/4 cup simple syrup (recipe follows)
• About 10 mint leaves

In a large bowl, toss together the berries. In a blender, combine the mint, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Blend until smooth. Pour the mint mixture over the berries, stir together. Top with a light sprinkle of lemon zest and mint leaves.

Simple Syrup:

• 1/2 cup water
• 1 cup sugar

In a saucepan, combine the water and sugar over medium heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes, until the sugar has dissolved. Take pan off heat and cool the syrup. (Any extra syrup can be saved in an airtight container in the fridge).