Sharing all things strawberries- recipes, shopping, & storage tips!
I have always been a strawberry girl. Fresh out the carton, baked into warm banana bread, or even just freshly mashed and mixed into yogurt- I can enjoy them any way possible!
This year marks a special year since I grew strawberries in my garden box for the first time. Surpringly they were so easy to grow as a beginner gardener. Watching them grow from a pretty white flower to a little red berry was mind-blowing. I collected each an every berry to make all of my current favorite summer recipes that I want to share with you below along with some nutrition, shopping, and storage tips I like to use to make the most of these berries!
Benefits of eating strawberries:
Did you know a serving of strawberries provides more vitamin C than an orange?
There is so much to love about strawberries outside of how berry delicious they are . They are rich in iron, fiber, and get their red hue from antioxidants called anthocyanins(increases as the plant ripens!). Strawberries have been linked to supporting healthy blood pressure due to containing heart-protective nutrients like potassium. They also make for a blood sugar friendly snack since they are a low-glycemic fruit!
Shopping for strawberries:
Although you can purchase strawberries any time of the year, they taste best when they are in season early spring to mid-summer( National Pick Strawberries Day is May 20th!). When searching for strawberries at the grocery store, select ones that are red and firm with bright green stems that are not wilted. I like to tilt the carton upside down to assure the berries at the bottom are not mushed and bruised.
Strawberry storage tips:
Strawberries can go from looking plump and fresh one day to moldy the next. You may find several storage hacks online that promise a long shelf life of strawberries. A method that has been working well for me is to give the strawberries a vinegar bath(3 parts water + 1 part vinegar) for 5-15 minutes. Then, I like to place them in a ventilated container lined with a paper towel that soaks up excess moisture to prevent mold. I usually replace the paper towel once in a while till the berries finish. Ideally, you can store strawberries in the fridge for a week or freeze for 6 months for best flavor.
Fun ways to use strawberries:
Do you have strawberries laying around and are starting to wilt? If they are not moldy, you can use them in a delicious chia seed jam like my Triple Berry Jam. These berries can make perfect sweet and juicy toppers for salads, yogurt, and toast. I also love to get creative with freeze dried strawberries which have a long shelf life since the moisture is removed. I like to use them in mocktail and granola recipes like my No-Bake Strawberry Granola. Check my current favorite ways to use strawberries below!
Strawberry-Honey Lemonade:
Ingredients:
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup. honey ( or other sweetener of choice)
2 2/3 cup water
4 large strawberries
Directions: Blend all ingredients well in a high-speed blender. Pour over ice and enjoy. Ooptional- garnish with lemon slices & mint.
Strawberry Crumble-serves 2:
Ingredients:
1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries
4 tbsp. brown sugar
1/2 tsp. cornstarch
3 tbsp. flour
3 tbsp. rolled oats
2 tbsp. softened butter
Optional: crushed nuts of choice
Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare your filling by combining strawberries, 2 tbsp. brown sugar, and cornstarch in a 10-inch ramekin or cast iron mini dutch oven. Prepare your crumble topping in a seperate bowl by combining flour, oats, 2 tbsp. brown sugar, and softened butter. Mix with a fork and your hands to help the butter combine well. Coat the top of the filling prepared with the crumble evenly. Bake for about 30 minutes or until the topping turns golden brown.
Strawberry-Chia Mousse:
Ingredients:
1/2 cup fresh strawberries
1/2 cup milk of choice ( may need extra milk)
1/4 cup chia seeds
2 tbsp. honey or sweetener of choice
Directions: Blend all ingredients in a high speed blender till smooth. If the mixture is too thick, add a splash of milk. Chill in the fridge for 30- 60 minutes. Divide into small serving cups and top with yogurt and fresh strawberries.
Other strawberry recipes found on my blog:
Hungry for more information ? Check out my previous posts below
Let's connect! Share your strawberry recipe creations with me on Instagram with the hashtag #doseofnutrition
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