Ellie Prince
April showers bring May strawberries! Mother’s Day has got to be the easiest holiday for treats. Simply add a strawberry or two and you’ve got an instant tasty drink or dessert. Here are 5 easy ways to use Mother Nature’s most loving fruit.
Sweeten up a Salad
It’s easy to feel run down after the holidays and iron is always good to add to your diet where you can. In fact, we have some tasty skillet meals that have the added benefit of regular doses of iron when you’re done with this one. Spinach is also high in Vitamin A, which strengthens your immune system and improves your skin. Toss in a Vitamin C-rich strawberry and avocado for a healthy protein-packed salad that tastes amazing! Full instructions available on Foodie Crush.
INGREDIENTS
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
One tablespoon golden balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon sugar
1 tablespoon roughly chopped fresh tarragon
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
6 cups loosely packed fresh spinach
6-8 large strawberries, hulled and quartered
1 avocado, peeled, seeded and cut into chunks
3-4 thinly sliced rings of red onion
¼ cup feta cheese
2 tablespoons sliced almonds
Strawberry Shortcake.. Scones
Busy moms with little kids might need to plan their breakfast-in-bed surprise in advance. Bake a batch of strawberry shortcake scones the day before and be surprised at what your children pick to serve you the next morning! We are strong believers in taking ownership of celebrating your special days. If you want to be celebrated, make it easy on everyone to celebrate with you. This recipe also makes good use of small strawberries, which is what I usually have in my garden. Full instructions available on Belly Full.
INGREDIENTS
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1/4-inch cubes
12 small strawberries, hulled and diced
3/4 cup half and half
FOR THE GLAZE
3 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup half and half
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Drinks Please!
Don’t you just love the smell of basil? Crush a little in your next strawberry cocktail and you’ve got summer in a glass! Hopefully you’ve got your own little herb garden growing and added a strawberry planter next to it. Nothing beats fresh grown produce from your own backyard! Many farms also host picking events and farmer’s markets are bursting at the seams this time of year. Stick to organic fruits and taste the difference! I love this vodka / ginger ale combo so much! You get the enjoyment of a cocktail, but are still functional later in the day. Or, forego the alcohol altogether and make a tasty beverage that you can sip all day consequence-free. Full instructions available on Thyme is Honey.
INGREDIENTS
2 cups chopped strawberries
4 large basil leaves
4.5 oz. vodka
1 can Honest Fizz Golden Ginger Ale
sugar, for rim
strawberries, to garnish
ice
Crostini, Anyone?
My sister and her son have been on what they call a “European Meal” kick. Isn’t it strange how we crave heavy comfort food in the winter and then have barely any appetite in the summer? Must have something to do with swimsuit season. Anyway, they cut up a fresh baked baguette and do a basic cheese board with jams and toppings. They build their own crostinis, but you can go the extra mile and build these ahead of time if you’re hosting a party or have lazy diners. Either way, goat cheese just works with strawberry and these are delicious! Full instructions available on Foodess.
INGREDIENTS
1 baguette, cut in 1/2″ slices
3 tbsp olive oil
6 oz goat cheese
1 pint strawberries, stems removed and thinly sliced
balsamic reduction
small handful mint or basil leaves
Power Smoothie
Anything with chia seed rules. The tiny grain is so packed with good stuff it’s amazing. We covered some of the details in our chocolate no bake cookies recipe, but suffice to say they are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, fiber, iron, and calcium. Whoa Nelly! Not to mention, the strawberry is one of the lowest-in-sugar fruits you can eat. They are the perfect addition or topping for anyone with a low-glycemic lifestyle. I substitute almond milk in this smoothie recipe and add 1 tablespoon aloe vera gel, plus 2 tablespoons protein powder. Full instructions available on Jar of Lemons.
INGREDIENTS
2 cups frozen strawberries
1 banana
1 cup Hiland Diary Skim Fat Free Milk
2 Tbsp chia seeds
Celebrate With Strawberries!
Strawberries are the perfect topping for ice cream and they are the tastiest stir-in for cereal. Stock up on the best berries you can buy and don’t be afraid to freeze them! The strawberry is attached to many positive things through symbolism and folklore. Symbolic of love, righteousness, and perfection, the strawberry is the ideal ingredient for celebrating any woman in your life. If you are what you eat, a little positivity might do you some well, too. Cheers from us here at Girlfriend!