Alternately titled: Move over, sista... these strawbewwies are mine! 
It's that time of year again for fields and farmer's markets; the best kind of shopping there is! Each month this spring and summer, as we set out to fill our baskets with fresh and locally grown goodies, we thought we'd share our experiences. Maybe something will tickle your fancy along the way. Feel free to tickle ours back!
First up; you guessed it... strawberry picking!
Upon our return all the pickers came over for strawberry smoothies. Throw fresh strawberries (or frozen; then you don't need ice), vanilla yogurt, milk/soymilk, and ice in a blender until it's at the consistency you like. We almost always add a little ground up flax seed and a banana. (In fact, you wouldn't believe all I can get down Hope via a "smoovie"... spinach, edamame, lima beans, broccoli... seriously!) For more detailed smoothie inspiration, check this out.
Besides for smoothies, jam, and toppings for waffles or pancakes-- here are two other ways we use our buckets of fresh berries. These are pretty much staple spring/summer recipes for us.
Yogurt Berry Popsicles
***
Since strawberries go badly pretty fast, freezing them is a great option. To make this recipe you actually need to single layer sliced berries on a freezer proof pan.
Once frozen, take a cupful and blend until smooth.
Then add a cup of vanilla yogurt (or plain yogurt sweetened with a touch or two of honey).
VERY important step... do NOT add the ingredients your toddler collects while your back is turned. If I remember correctly, hand soap and beef stock don't really give this recipe the extra little something you're going for.
Pour your mixture into mini-sized cups up to 2/3 full. Then place a wooden Popsicle stick in the center of each one. This should make about six or seven- around a week's worth.
Freeze until firm and enjoy-- while atop your steal of a yard sale slide is totally optional. :)
Strawberry Salad with Poppyseed Dressing
****
Easy peasey... just combine chopped romaine lettuce with a cup or so each of sliced strawberries, thinly sliced red onion, and Caesar croutons. Just before serving toss with the homemade poppyseed dressing described below.
It's that time of year again for fields and farmer's markets; the best kind of shopping there is! Each month this spring and summer, as we set out to fill our baskets with fresh and locally grown goodies, we thought we'd share our experiences. Maybe something will tickle your fancy along the way. Feel free to tickle ours back!
First up; you guessed it... strawberry picking!
Upon our return all the pickers came over for strawberry smoothies. Throw fresh strawberries (or frozen; then you don't need ice), vanilla yogurt, milk/soymilk, and ice in a blender until it's at the consistency you like. We almost always add a little ground up flax seed and a banana. (In fact, you wouldn't believe all I can get down Hope via a "smoovie"... spinach, edamame, lima beans, broccoli... seriously!) For more detailed smoothie inspiration, check this out.Besides for smoothies, jam, and toppings for waffles or pancakes-- here are two other ways we use our buckets of fresh berries. These are pretty much staple spring/summer recipes for us.
Yogurt Berry Popsicles
***
Since strawberries go badly pretty fast, freezing them is a great option. To make this recipe you actually need to single layer sliced berries on a freezer proof pan.
Once frozen, take a cupful and blend until smooth.
Then add a cup of vanilla yogurt (or plain yogurt sweetened with a touch or two of honey).
VERY important step... do NOT add the ingredients your toddler collects while your back is turned. If I remember correctly, hand soap and beef stock don't really give this recipe the extra little something you're going for.
Pour your mixture into mini-sized cups up to 2/3 full. Then place a wooden Popsicle stick in the center of each one. This should make about six or seven- around a week's worth.
Freeze until firm and enjoy-- while atop your steal of a yard sale slide is totally optional. :)
Strawberry Salad with Poppyseed Dressing
****
Easy peasey... just combine chopped romaine lettuce with a cup or so each of sliced strawberries, thinly sliced red onion, and Caesar croutons. Just before serving toss with the homemade poppyseed dressing described below.
Dressing:
1/3 cup sugar
2 tbsp. poppy seeds
3/4 cup light mayo
1/4 cup milk
2 tbsp. white vinegar
Mix ingredients and chill.
Stay tuned for next month's "in season" pick. And happy Memorial Day weekend!
Stay tuned for next month's "in season" pick. And happy Memorial Day weekend!
7 comments:
Ivy and I just passed the strawberry patch this morning and decided that we will spend our Monday picking berries! I'm glad you beat us to it, because now I've got a couple of good ideas for how to use them (I really expected to just throw the away and consider the picking fee like a ticket fee...used once for the experience and then gone)!
Hugs to you and the girls from Ivy and I!
You are so creative and fun! Love reading your blog--these cuties don't hurt, either!! :)
Wow... I love those pics of the girls! Hope is looking so much like a little girl I can barely stand it! Let me know if you are going again so I can tag along with my little ones in tow! Can't wait to see you!
Becca
I'm sOOOO glad you published your strawberry salad recipe!!! Yea! (You could sell that thing...)
Dave
Yum...we picked some also...already out...need to go back :)
Thanks for the recipes (and the cute pictures!). Makes me hungry just reading...
I just had a "smoovie" while reading and of course was thinking of you the whole time! Thanks for sharing :)
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