Best Sweet and Savory Strawberry Recipe Collection with Nutrition Summary

Fresh strawberries are a popular, and nutritious fruit with a wide range of uses. This article provides a wide range of recipes from sweet to savory, from cakes to salsas. If available. always choose locally grown strawberries, that are harvested when ripe during the local growing season. Unlike many fruits, strawberries do not ripen after being picked. So choose fully ripened fruit that are bright red in color, shiny, firm to the touch and with fresh glossy green caps.

Look for medium size strawberries that have a fresh clean and vibrant fragrance berries. Large fruit often have less intense flavors and can be 'woody'. The strawberries you choose should be clean, glossy and dry, with no signs of mold or brown spots. The best are those that you pick from your own garden. Strawberries are easy to grow provided they are planted in the right season.

Strawberries are a classical ingredient in many desserts, cakes, pies, flans, smoothies, sauces and salads. However, they are very versatile and can be used in savory dishes as well. Try some of these suggestions:

Strawberries are very versatile and healthy and can be used in a variety of sweet and savory dishes
Strawberries are very versatile and healthy and can be used in a variety of sweet and savory dishes. Source: Pixabay Free Images

Try a spicy salsa with strawberries - Sliced a cup of fresh strawberries and mix with finely chopped fresh mint, red chilli (fresh or dried), finely sliced red onion and a little raspberry or apple cider vinegar. Set aside for 20-30 minutes to allow the flavour meld together. Sere as a topping for grilled pork or chicken and for fish and seafood.

Make a simple strawberry entrée - Mixed 2 cups of halved strawberries with diced avocado, mixed salad green leaves such as bean sprouts, spinach, fresh basil leaves and sliced shallots. Top with cooked prawns and a few cashew nuts. Drizzle with a dressing of olive oil, lime juice and cracked pepper.

Make an easy strawberry, nuts and green leaf salad - Toss about 1 cup of strawberries, sliced in half with walnuts and spinach leaves. Make a simple dressing by combining grape seed oil, paprika powder, vinegar, sesame seeds and poppy seeds.

Used diced strawberries to add extra color and zing to soups - Combine finely diced strawberries with sour cream, Greek yoghurt, mint and chilli sauce. Add soup soups when served.

Enjoy a strawberry balsamic vinegar sauce - Soak diced strawberries in caster sugar dissolved in balsamic vinegar and water. Serve by tumbling the strawberry sauce over fresh ricotta cheese as a topping sauce for meat and vegetables.

Choose fresh strawberries that are bright red in color, firm and show no signs of brown spots or mold
Choose fresh strawberries that are bright red in color, firm and show no signs of brown spots or mold. Source: Pixabay Free Images

Strawberry Nutrition Summary

Below is a summary of their nutritional benefits. Strawberries have a range of antioxidants. The only health concern is pesticides as they are very vulnerable to insect attach as they ripen. Choose organic strawberries or better still grow your own. https://www.plantwhatwhen.com/Strawberry-plants.html
Strawberries have low cabohydrates, high fiber, and are particularly rich in folic acid, vitamin C and potassium.

100 g (2/3 cup of sliced, fresh strawberries) contains:

Calories: 32 Cal
Protein: 0.7 g
Carbohydrates: 7.65 g
Dietary fiber: 2.00 g
Calcium: 16 mg
Iron: 0.41 mg
Magnesium: 13 mg
Phosphorus: 24 mg
Potassium: 152 mg
Vitamin C: 60 mg
Vitamin A: 17 international units (IU)
Folate: 24 micrograms (mcg)


Strawberries also have an array powerful antioxidants including: ellagic acid, quercetin, anthocyanins and kaempferol.

See the wonderful array of the Best Ever Fresh Strawberry Recipes
See the wonderful array of the Best Ever Fresh Strawberry Recipes. Source: Pixabay Free Images

Fresh Strawberry Recipe Collection

Classic Strawberry Shortcake Recipe with Whipped Cream

Ingredients

for the Whipped Cream:

For the Shortcake Biscuits:

Method

Remove the stems and leaves from the strawberries and discard. Then, slice the strawberries in half or quarters. Transfer the cut strawberries into a large bowl and sprinkle with sugar. Gently toss the strawberries until they are all coated on all side with some sugar. Set aside at room temperature for 20-30 minutes. Next, take about one quarter of the strawberries and mash with a potato masher to form a paste. Set the mixture aside until the biscuits are baked.

Make the shortbread biscuits by combining the flour with the dry ingredients: sugar, flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut the butter into the flour mixture, using your fingertips. Add the vanilla extract, milk and cream to a cavity made in the center of the flour mixture. Mix with a fork or wooden spoon until the mixture is only just combined. Gently the pastry dough by hand once or twice to form a loose ball.

Next, press and roll the dough out to form an 8-inch (20-cm) square, about one inch (25 mm) thick. Place it on a parchment lined baking sheet. Cover with a sheet of plastic wrap and cool in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes.

Heat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Slice the dough into about 9 even-sized squares. Place them well-spaced onto the baking sheet. Bake until the biscuits are golden brown in color (18-20 minutes).

Make the whipped cream using an electric mixer. Serve by ladling the strawberries over the biscuits broken into two or three serving pieces. Top with dollops of fresh whipped cream.

Pan Fried Salmon Fillets with Strawberry and Basil Relish

Ingredients

for the relish

Method

Brush both sides of the salmon fillets with melted butter. Sprinkle liberally with freshly ground pepper and salt. Fry the fillets, skin side up, in a heavy cast iron frying pan, heated to hot before adding the fish. Cook in batches to avoid overcrowding for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until the salmon just starts to flake easily with a fork. Meanwhile, mix the strawberries in a small bowl with the honey, basil and pepper. Serve the salmon warm or hot, topped with the relish. The sweetness and tangy flavor of the strawberries pairs well with the salmon. Add some mustard for a sweet and sour effect.

Fresh strawberries may a wonderful addition for sauces
Fresh strawberries may a wonderful addition for sauces. Source: Pixabay Free Images

Strawberry and Mascarpone Cheese Tart Recipe

Ingredients

for the Tart Shell

Home made pastry option - use your own recipe

for the Frozen Pastry Option:

1 sheet of puff pastry, thawed
1 egg, whisked

for the Filling and Glaze

Method

For the Homemade Pastry Option -Roll out the pie dough. Prick it all over with a fork and then apply it to a 10-inch (25 cm) tart pan. Freeze for about 20-30 minutes while you make the filling. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). After cooling, line the tart shell with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Then fill with pie weights (e.g. rice, dried beans or commercial ceramic or metal pie weights.

Bake for just 15 minutes, initially. Then remove from oven and let cool so you can remove the aluminum foil or parchment paper, and the pie weights. Return to oven and bake for 20-30 more minutes until the pastry is brown. Remove from the oven, and set aside to cool completely.

For the Puff Pastry Option - Roll out puff pastry sheet, prick all over with a fork, and place on a baking sheet. Fold the edges over to make an outer border. Prick the bottom of the pasty with a fork. Chill for about 20-30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Brush the pastry all over with an egg wash. Cook until the pastry is brown all over (about 15-20 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool completely.

Using a small bowl, mix the strawberries with the granulated sugar and half of the orange zest, to coat all over. Set the strawberries aside to macerate for about 30 minutes.

Assemble the cheese base by combining the mascarpone cheese, lemon juice, castor sugar, the rest of the orange zest, and the vanilla in a medium bowl. Set aside in the refrigerator until needed.

Place a sieve of the bowl containing the strawberries and drain the liquid into a small saucepan. Add a tablespoon of balsamic vinegar to the saucepan and bring to a boil. Simmer gently until the liquid forms a syrup. Then, remove from heat and set aside to cool.

Next, assemble the tart by first spreading the mascarpone mixture over the bottom of the tart shell. Add the strawberries on top, and use a pastry brush to brush on the balsamic glaze. Warm in the oven before serving.

Simple Strawberry Oatmeal Muffins Recipe

Ingredients

Method

Firstly, macerate the chopped strawberries in a small bowl by combining with the sugar and balsamic vinegar. Mix to coat the strawberries all over and set aside to soak. Next, preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) with the rack set in the middle position. Grease a non-stick 12 cup muffin tin with butter. Or line the cavities paper muffin cups.

Using a medium size bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, salt and finely ground black pepper. Add the eggs, brown sugar, melted butter, vanilla extract to the oatmeal and yogurt mixture. Stir until just combined. Then, mix in the flour a little at a time. Stir until the mixture is just combined and the flour is moistened. Do not over-mix or it will make the muffins tough. Finally, gently fold in the strawberries and any liquid extracted from them.

Spoon the batter evenly into the muffin tin cups, filling about two-thirds full. Bake until the tops are browned and the muffins bounce back when gently pressed on top. Let the pan cool for several minutes in the muffin tin before removing the muffins. Serve warm topped with whipped cream.

Fresh Strawberry Pie Recipe

Ingredients

Method

Roll out the crust and add it to pie pan. Trim the edge and crimp them. Then, refrigerate for 30-45 minutes. Next line the pie crust with parchment paper or foil and the fill the crust with dry beans or other pie weights. Bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Remove the crust from the oven. Take out the pie weights and parchment paper. Bake for an extra 10 to 15 minutes, or until the crust is light golden brown in color. Allow the pie crust to cool.

Make the glaze by adding 2 cups of the strawberries to a blender. Add the pectin, cornstarch, sugar and lemon juice. Blend until just smooth. Transfer to a saucepan and set over moderate to high heat. Bring the mixture to the boil and cook while stirring for a couple of minutes, until it thickens slightly. Set the glaze mixture aside to cool prior to assembling the pie.

Next add the remaining strawberries to the saucepan containing the glaze and mix to coat well. Spoon this filling into the pie, levelling the larger strawberry pieces. Refrigerate for 1 hour, or until the glaze is set. The strawberry pie is best when served on the day it is made.

Strawberry Oatmeal Bars Recipe - So Easy, Healthy and Tasty

Ingredients

For the Strawberry Bars

For the Vanilla Glaze

Method

Place a rack in the center of your oven and preheat to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line an 8x8-inch (20x20 cm) baking pan with parchment paper allowing the paper to overhang on two sides to provide handles.
Using a moderate size bowl, mix the brown sugar, ginger, oats, flour and salt together. Next, make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the melted butter. Mix until clumps form and all the ingredients are well moistened. Set aside about 1/2 cup of this crumble mixture. Press the rest to form an even layer in the bottom of the lined and greased pan.

Spread about half of the strawberries evenly over the crust base. Then, sprinkle the cornstarch evenly on top, adding sprinkles of lemon juice and some of the granulated sugar. Add the remaining berries. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 tablespoon sugar on top followed by the reserved crumbs leaving some fruit showing through.

Bake the bars for about 35-45 minutes, or until the fruit is bubbly, and the crumble has browned slightly. Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool on the pan placed on a wire rack.

Finally, using a medium size bowl, whisk the milk, powdered sugar and vanilla together until smooth.

Use the parchment-paper handles to gently remove the bars from the pan. Slice into bars, drizzle with the glaze, and serve warm.

Crispy Chicken with a Tart Strawberry-Balsamic Sauce

Ingredients

Method

Combine the almonds, bread crumbs, salt and pepper in a shallow dish. Add chicken in batches. Toss to coat each piece evenly. Fry the chicken in a deep pan using 2 teaspoons oil over moderate heat, until brown and crisp on the outside. Generally, this will require for 4-5 minutes for each side. Remove and keep warm. Using the same pan, and a little more oil, cook the shallots until tender. Then, slowly pour in the chicken broth, rosemary, strawberries and vinegar. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer and cook for about 5-7 minutes or until the sauce thickens a little. Serve the chicken with some of the sauce drizzled on top with steamed spinach.

Strawberry Mint Chicken Recipe with Nutmeg

Ingredients

for the chicken

for the sauce

Method

Using a small saucepan, mix together the cornstarch, sugar, nutmeg, black pepper, wine and water until smooth. Add the strawberries. Bring the mixture to the boil. Then, reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered for 3-5 minutes, or until the strawberries have softened and the sauce has thickened a little. Remove from heat and stir mint the through.

Sprinkle the chicken pieces all over with salt and pepper. Grill or barbecue over moderate heat for 5-7 minutes on each side until cooked. Serve the chicken pieces with green onion sprinkled on top with sauce poured over.

Simple Spicy Strawberry Salsa Recipe

Ingredients

Method

Combine all the ingredients together in a bowl and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Serve chilled after refrigerating for 15-30 minutes. Serve with tortilla chips or crackers. The salsa can also be used as a topping for grilled or barbecued meat or fish.