It’s sweet, it’s savory and so versatile!
1) Rice Pilaf: Add diced fresh strawberries, toasted almonds and chopped parsley to prepared pilaf.
2) Pancakes: Include chopped strawberries in your favorite flapjack recipe. Serve with yogurt.
3) Ice Cubes: Try frozen puree in iced tea
4) Tasty Spread: Combine pureed fresh or thawed strawberries with softened unsalted butter and some honey
5) Frozen Yogurt: Pulse 10 oz frozen berries in a food processor. Add 7 oz Greek yogurt and 3 tbsp of super-fine sugar; blend smooth.
6) Salsa: Mix diced berries with lime juice, chopped jalapeno, red onion and cilantro.
7) Lemonade: Stir in pureed fresh or thawed strawberries before serving over ice.
8) Quick Jam: Cook 2 cups chopped strawberries with 1 tbsp orange juice and a pinch of salt on low until the mixture bubbles. Stir in 3 tbsp chia seeds and honey to taste. Allow jam to cool.
9) Pastry: Combine chopped berries with sugar; spoon into squares of packaged puff pastry. Fold in a triangle. Crimp edges. Bake as directed.
10) Salad: Toss arugula, blue cheese (or feta) and salted nuts with quartered strawberries; dress with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
11) Salad Dressing: Puree 1 cup strawberries with a pinch of salt, 1 tsp Dijon mustard and 2 tbsp red wine vinegar. Whisk in 2 tbsp olive oil; season with freshly ground pepper
12) Dessert Bites: cut fresh strawberries in half lenghwide; scoop out slightly. Just before serving, fill with a mixture of softened cream cheese, a little sugar, chopped dark chocolate and orange zest. Garnish with grated chocolate and zest.
(written by Beth Lipton for AARP Magazine)