Spring is here and so are luscious strawberries at very reasonable prices. Take advantage of this beautiful fruit and eat them as is or use them to make some delicious recipes. Below are some of my favorite ways to use strawberries. What are yours?

Strawberry Breakfast Cake

Topping

3 tablespoons unsalted butter,softened
¼ cup brown sugar
½ cup self-rising flour
½ teaspoon cinnamon

Cake

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup self-rising flour
1 1/2 cups sliced strawberries

Directions

Grease a 9 inch springform pan and sprinkle the inside with a little granulated sugar. Heat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Combine the topping ingredients together in a medium mixing bowl. With your fingers, rub the mixture into crumbs. Set aside.

In the large bowl of an electric mixer beat the butter and sugar together until creamed. Add the eggs, one at a time.

On low-speed add the sour cream and vanilla. Gradually add the flour, mixing until incorporated.

Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan. Top the batter with the sliced strawberries and sprinkle the topping over the berries.

Bake the cake  in the center of the oven for about one hour or until a cake tester inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.

Let the cake cool in the pan for several hours and then remove the cake pan ring. The cake can also be served warm.

Strawberry Preserves

Preserves are cooked the same way jam is, however, the only difference is that the fruit in preserves is cut into chunks, whereas with jam, the fruit is crushed. The texture of preserves is not as stiff as jelly or jam. It is easy to spread and makes a great topping for ice cream or pancakes.

Ingredients

1 quart of strawberries
2 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 long strip of lemon zest

Directions

Fill 4 pint jars with boiling water and place the lids in a bowl and cover with boiling water. Set aside while you make the preserves.

Wash the strawberries and remove the leaves. Cut them in half and place the berries in a large saucepan. Add the sugar, lemon juice and zest. Stir well.

Bring the mixture to a boil and stir occasionally until mixture thickens, about 20-25 minutes or a candy thermometer registers 220 degrees F.

Remove the pan from the heat. Empty the pint jars and remove the lids from the water.

Fill the jars with the preserves and place the lids on the jars. Cool for a few hours at room temperature. Store the jars in the refrigerator for a few weeks or freeze them for future use.

Strawberry Almond Scones

Self-rising flour can be used for a quicker preparation. Leave out the salt and baking powder in the recipe, if using.

Ingredients

1 cup fresh hulled and finely chopped strawberries
3/4 cup heavy cream, plus extra for brushing on the scones
2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for shaping the scones
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
5 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
½ cup toasted sliced almonds
½ teaspoon almond extract
Coarse sugar for the topping

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a medium bowl, combine the chopped strawberries and cream and set aside while you make the dough.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder and salt. Using a pastry blender or 2 table knives in a scissor motion, cut butter into flour until the size of small peas.

Add the almond extract to the strawberry-cream mixture. Add the mixture to the flour/butter mixture and stir together with a fork, just until combined.

Turn dough out onto a floured surface and gently pat into an 8-inch circle. Cut into 8 triangles.

Lightly brush the tops of the scones with a little cream and sprinkle with coarse sugar.

Transfer the triangles to the prepared baking sheet and bake until golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Immediately place the scones on a rack to cool completely.

Strawberry Fruit Salad

Ingredients

1 pint strawberries, trimmed and sliced
2 large red mangoes, peeled and cut into small chunks
1 orange, zested, white pith removed and sliced
1 teaspoon honey

Directions

In a medium bowl, stir together the strawberries, mangoes, orange slices, zest and honey. Chill, covered, until ready to serve.


Posted by in Coffee Cake, Fruit, Healthy Italian Cooking, Preserves, Salad, scones, strawberries Tags: