Strawberry season is finally here!
I love going to pick strawberries at a u-pick farm here in central North Carolina, McAdams Farm. Last weekend I went there to get the first of this year’s crop. Fortunately, they’d survived the recent freeze.
The berries were so plentiful, I didn’t have go more than 5 or 6 feet down the row to fill up my basket. And they are sweet and delicious!
If you haven’t been, you should go try it. Strawberry picking is great exercise, and an outdoor activity the whole family can enjoy. Kids especially love it.
Here is a video recorded from a live Periscope broadcast I did in the field last season, on how to pick strawberries:
Here’s another tip. To keep fresh-picked strawberries longer, (1) Store in the refrigerator, and (2) Wash and cut immediately before using, rather than doing it ahead.
I love eating strawberries by themselves, but I also enjoy making treats with them. Here are three recipes I created that I wanted to share with you – Strawberry Muffins; a High-Protein Vitamin-Packed Strawberry Smoothie; and Strawberry Champagne Vinaigrette Dressing, which was developed by my husband Keith, a chef.
Strawberry Muffins
Ingredients:
- 1 cup milk (or coconut milk)
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 egg
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (or Pillsbury’s Gluten Free All-Purpose Flour)
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled, and chopped into small pieces
Heat oven to 400 degrees. Spray 12-muffin pan with spray oil, or line with baking cups. Beat milk, oil and egg. Stir in flour, sugar, baking powder and salt, just until moistened. If batter is too thick, add more milk. Fold in strawberries. Fill muffin cups with batter, using an ice cream scoop. Bake 18-20 minutes. Let set for about 5 minutes, then remove from pan, and cool on rack.
Makes 12 muffins, 188 calories each. Nutrition Facts
High-Protein, Vitamin-Packed Strawberry Smoothie
In a blender, blend until thick:
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled
- 2 scoops vanilla flavored whey protein powder
- 1 tablespoon chia seed
- 1 packet of Emergen-C (optional)
- 2 cups of ice cubes
- 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut milk
Note: This recipe uses chia seed that I received as a complimentary sample from my favorite online source of natural supplements, Vitacost.com. Emergen-C and whey protein powder are available through Vitacost; I’ve also purchased these items from Trader Joe’s. Here’s a link to get $5 off at Vitacost.
Makes 4 servings, 94 calories each. Nutrition Facts
Strawberry Champagne Vinaigrette Dressing
This dressing is a delicious addition to your favorite tossed salad. Top with sliced strawberries.
In a small food processor or blender, blend:
- 1 cup strawberries, hulled
- 1 small shallot
- 2 tablespoons agave nectar
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1/4 cup champagne vinegar, or white wine vinegar
- 1/2 cup grape seed oil
Season with a dash of kosher salt and white pepper to taste.
Keep refrigerated, and use within four days.
Makes 8 servings, 85 calories each. Nutrition Facts
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Oh my goodness…I’ve died and gone to strawberry heaven! Pinning this post because I must try all of these recipes. Thank you for sharing. I love strawberries and smoothies!
Thanks so much, Patty! 🙂
my son and I were just talking about going strawberry picking together! They don’t usually open until May around here
Usually it’s May here too, but the season came early this year. Enjoy! 🙂
Those muffins!! YUM
Oh, these look yummy! We probably won’t be seeing fresh strawberries in Iowa for awhile, though….
I’ve never gone strawberry picking with my girls. This may be the year for us to try it.
We lover strawberry picking but will have to wait for the season late June. Great recipes!
It’s been ages since I’ve picked strawberries – maybe I can make it happen this year. I was surprised when I first learned not to wash the berries right away but it does make a difference!
Oh I love strawberries in everything! We’re really enjoying salads and smoothies right now.
Those muffins looks super yummy! I have never picked strawberries, but I did go apple picking once and Loved it!
These recipes look amazing. I’m so making that dressing! I haven’t been strawberry picking in ages but I do have a few plants here in the garden.
I have never been strawberry picking but my boys would sure love it! I am going to make those strawberry muffins – for sure! Yummy! A great breakfast treat for sure!
You had me at strawberry muffins. Holy yum.
I do love strawberries! The muffins look like they would be my favorite! Thanks for sharing!
I use to take my boys strawberry picking when they were younger – so much fun! I’ve got to pin these recipes 🙂
Strawberries in the field, already? I’m jealous! It’s still pouring cats and dogs around here and even if there were, hypothetically, strawberries, they’d be eaten by slugs before you could pick them. I love strawberries in salads and strawberry dressing, your husband’s recipe looks good, thanks for sharing!
I think we are done with strawberries here and have moved on to blueberries! I am going this week to a u-pick farm, my first time!
I haven’t been blueberry picking yet and I want to do that this year when they come on. I hear it’s a lot easier to pick them, too. Not all of that stooping and crawling! Lol!
I’ll all about the strawberries. I’ll have to try your recipes out!