Berry Good Ideas

Here are some suggestions from Linda Shenk about how to use your strawberries.

Freezing Strawberries

Method 1: Allows you to use individual frozen strawberries as you need.

1. Wash strawberries.
2. Take off the cap (green leaves)
3. Place each whole berry on a cookie sheet in a single layer and place cookie sheet in freezer
4. When strawberries are frozen they can be stored in a plastic freezer bag or container. You can remove a few at a time as needed from the container.

Method 2: Preserve frozen strawberries in a juice

1. Wash strawberries
2. Take off cap (green leaves) and slice into a  bowl
3. Add 1/4 C. sugar to 2 quarts of sliced strawberries (note: the sugar helps to preserve the strawberry flavor)
4. Stir gently and let sit for 20 min. They will become juicy
5. Put berries and juice into containers and freeze

Uses for frozen strawberries

• Add frozen strawberries to vanilla yogurt
• Use on top of cereal or oatmeal
• Add partially thawed strawberries to fresh fruit salad right before serving
• Blend frozen strawberries with other fruit and orange juice for fruit smoothie.
• Make strawberry lemonade
  • Put 1 C. of frozen strawberries in a blender and add 1 quart of lemonade
  • Puree until smooth
• Make strawberry sauce for over cake or other dessert
  • Use strawberries frozen in sauce (method 2)
  • Drain juice and add 1 Tbsp. of cornstarch to 1 C. of juice. Cook until thick
  • Add the remaining strawberries, juice and sugar to taste