Strawberry-picking season is right upon us, and to be honest, we can’t wait to get a taste of the sweet-tart fruit. But, while we could literally eat an entire carton (or in our case, pouch) in one sitting, we try to keep our excitement contained and think of other, more creative ways to enjoy this bite-sized berry. Luckily, strawberries can make friends with just about any food, from balsamic vinegar to white chocolate, so we know we’re in for a wild ride. If your taste buds want in on the action, these five drool-worthy strawberry recipes are the perfect way to ring in spring like a champ.
1. Spinach & Strawberry Salad
In this out-of-the-ordinary salad, freeze dried sliced or whole strawberries and spinach play starring roles. But, while their performance is outstanding, they are supported by protein-rich feta cheese, pecans, and red onion which help take the dish to a whole new level. Dress it up in a delicious balsamic vinaigrette, and you’ve got yourself a spring salad everyone will drool over.
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups baby spinach, rinsed
1 cup freeze dried sliced strawberries
1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
Half a red onion, sliced
1/2 cup pecans, crushed
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1/3 cup olive oil
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp honey
Salt and pepper, for seasoning
Instructions:
- Add the freeze dried strawberries to a bowl along with one cup of water. Set aside for 15-20 minutes. Once they are hydrated, remove them from the water and pat them dry with a paper towel.
- In a small saucepan, pour the balsamic vinegar and bring to a boil. Simmer for 3-4 minutes or until it’s reduced by half.
- Then, transfer to a bowl and add the olive oil, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and honey. Mix until they are evenly combined. You may need to add a little water.
- In a salad, bowl, toss the hydrated strawberries, spinach, strawberries, pecans, feta, and the vinaigrette. Mix until all ingredients are coated with the vinegar sauce.
2. Strawberry White Chocolate Mousse
As the temps are slowly rising, we can’t help but trade our oven-centric treats for no-bake desserts, and this delicious mousse is no exception. Helping you get used to the new status quo around your kitchen, this recipe calls for basic ingredients and has a few steps, all of which revolve around spring’s most popular fruit, strawberries.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup freeze dried sliced strawberries
½ cup white chocolate, melted
1/2 cup whipping cream
½ tsp vanilla extract
3 tbsp water
Instructions:
- In a bowl, add the freeze dried whole or sliced strawberries along with half a cup of water. Set aside for 15 minutes. Pat them dry to remove excess water.
- Add all the ingredients into a food processor and whisk on low speed until blended. You may need to add some more water, depending on the consistency of your preference.
- Once the mousse is soft (about 4-5 minutes later), transfer to cups and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving.
3. Strawberry Meringue Puffs
Fluffy, airy, and ultra-delicious. Yes, you guessed it right. We’re talking about meringue. This fat-free dessert is actually the healthiest way to celebrate the onset of spring thanks to its light nature. However, pavlovas are not the only dessert known to incorporate meringue into their primary set of ingredients. This strawberry meringue recipe also embraces the airy treat, making your taste buds swoon in every bite.
Ingredients:
½ cup freeze dried sliced strawberries
1 cup powdered sugar
½ tsp vanilla extract
6 egg whites
Pinch of salt
Instructions:
- Add the freeze dried sliced or whole strawberries in a bowl along with half cup of water. Set aside for 15-20 minutes.
- Then, transfer to a food processor and pulse until they form a paste.
- Preheat the oven to 250oF and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, add the egg whites, vanilla extract and whisk with a hand mixer.
- Next, add the powdered sugar one tablespoon at a time.
- Lastly, stir in the strawberry paste.
- Transfer the meringue paste into a whipped cream pump and form small piles onto the baking sheet.
- Place the sheet in the oven and turn it off. Let the meringues sit in there for about an hour and then remove them from the oven.
4. Strawberry Butter
We can all agree that just a little bit of butter can turn any dish from “meh” to “wow.” But, adding strawberries to the mix can take this popular spread to the next level. Plus, it’s super easy to make. Butter + strawberries + fridge. That’s all it takes to turn your morning bagel into an almost gourmet dish.
Ingredients:
1 stick of butter, softened
1/4 cup freeze dried sliced strawberries
1 tsp vanilla extract
1-2 tbsp honey
Instructions:
- In a bowl, add the freeze dried whole or sliced strawberries and one-quarter of water. Set aside for 15 minutes and remove from water. Make sure you pat them with a paper towel to get rid of excess water.
- In a large bowl, add the butter and whisk it with a hand mixer to soften it.
- Stir in the honey, vanilla extract, and strawberries and whisk until the spread turns pink and creamy.
- Store in the fridge just like you would with regular butter.
5. Cucumber, Lime & Strawberry Water
Flavored water is nothing new. This colorful drink is actually one of the easiest ways to keep your body hydrated, and strawberries know what it takes to make every glass even more special. Thanks to their high content in vitamin C, the bright red berries also infuse the water with much-needed nutrients, making it all the more beneficial for us. So, are you ready to adopt some healthy habits this spring?
Ingredients:
2 quarts water
1/2 cucumber, sliced
1/4 cup freeze dried sliced strawberries
1 small lime, sliced
Ice cubes
Instructions:
- Add all the ingredients in a 2-quart pitcher.
- Let them sit for 10-15 minutes, and then remove them from the pitcher.
Which of these recipes are you dying to try out? Let us know in the comment section down below!
