No matter what your age or where you live, there is a good chance that you have a vivid memory of perfectly ripe strawberries. Though strawberries are available at almost every time of year these days thanks to good shipping, there really is, nothing quite like a strawberry that is very fresh and perfectly ripe strait out of your own garden.
Strawberries do not need a lot of skill to grow, and the fresh taste makes it more than worth having a few pots on your patio or a plot in your garden. Fresh strawberries are delicious on their own with a little cream and sugar, or added to other recipes.
Today's strawberries originate from a plant native to America. The large berries we see now are a hybrid of a South American strawberry that was crossed with a North American strawberry. This allowed the southern plant to survive the cooler climates in the north. Strawberries have long been a symbol of health and luxury in Europe.
On the other hand, in Argentina, in South America, they were considered poisonous until the middle of the 1800s. These plants varied a great deal in size, shape, and flavor, they usually bear the distinctive red color and nearly heart-shaped fruit that have made them so popular.
Eating strawberries raw is probably the most popular method of serving this fruit. You may be surprised to learn that strawberries can be added to many different dishes to add color and flavor. One easy way to prepare a strawberry dessert is to chop the berries into small chunks. Place the pieces in a bowl and cover them with water. Generously spread white sugar over the top. Add some ice cubes and set the bowl in the refrigerator to chill for a few hours. What you get in the end is a delicious icy treat that will please the most finicky palate in summer.
Some people prefer a more complex flavor, or a little more tartness to their berries. A good way to add more complexity to your strawberries is to dip them into some good balsamic vinegar and powdered sugar. The sharpness of the vinegar adds a nice contrast to the sweetness of the sugar. This makes a simple, intriguing end to a meal.
Strawberries and spinach make a great pairing. Toss a few in the next time you want to serve a spinach salad. If you combine the spinach, sliced strawberries, some red onions and caraway seeds, you will have a great salad that works well for lunch or dinner. Top it with a dressing of balsamic vinegar, rice vinegar, mustard and honey to pull it all together.
Another great spinach and strawberry combination takes tender baby spinach leaves and strawberries sliced on the diagonal and adds them to a little Gorgonzola cheese and tasty homemade croutons. Top it off with a little dollop of ranch dressing and a grind of fresh black pepper. This creates an incredible combination of crunch, sweetness, and tartness that delights the palate.
Do not relegate strawberries only to shortcake. They have a lot more to offer than the traditional dessert. Strawberries are nutritious and flavorful, and are the ideal berry to serve. There is a reason the strawberry is everyone's favorite. - 15485
Strawberries do not need a lot of skill to grow, and the fresh taste makes it more than worth having a few pots on your patio or a plot in your garden. Fresh strawberries are delicious on their own with a little cream and sugar, or added to other recipes.
Today's strawberries originate from a plant native to America. The large berries we see now are a hybrid of a South American strawberry that was crossed with a North American strawberry. This allowed the southern plant to survive the cooler climates in the north. Strawberries have long been a symbol of health and luxury in Europe.
On the other hand, in Argentina, in South America, they were considered poisonous until the middle of the 1800s. These plants varied a great deal in size, shape, and flavor, they usually bear the distinctive red color and nearly heart-shaped fruit that have made them so popular.
Eating strawberries raw is probably the most popular method of serving this fruit. You may be surprised to learn that strawberries can be added to many different dishes to add color and flavor. One easy way to prepare a strawberry dessert is to chop the berries into small chunks. Place the pieces in a bowl and cover them with water. Generously spread white sugar over the top. Add some ice cubes and set the bowl in the refrigerator to chill for a few hours. What you get in the end is a delicious icy treat that will please the most finicky palate in summer.
Some people prefer a more complex flavor, or a little more tartness to their berries. A good way to add more complexity to your strawberries is to dip them into some good balsamic vinegar and powdered sugar. The sharpness of the vinegar adds a nice contrast to the sweetness of the sugar. This makes a simple, intriguing end to a meal.
Strawberries and spinach make a great pairing. Toss a few in the next time you want to serve a spinach salad. If you combine the spinach, sliced strawberries, some red onions and caraway seeds, you will have a great salad that works well for lunch or dinner. Top it with a dressing of balsamic vinegar, rice vinegar, mustard and honey to pull it all together.
Another great spinach and strawberry combination takes tender baby spinach leaves and strawberries sliced on the diagonal and adds them to a little Gorgonzola cheese and tasty homemade croutons. Top it off with a little dollop of ranch dressing and a grind of fresh black pepper. This creates an incredible combination of crunch, sweetness, and tartness that delights the palate.
Do not relegate strawberries only to shortcake. They have a lot more to offer than the traditional dessert. Strawberries are nutritious and flavorful, and are the ideal berry to serve. There is a reason the strawberry is everyone's favorite. - 15485
