School is out. It’s time to turn off the alarm clock and take a break from the daily routine. It is also a time to celebrate Canada and the variety of food available to feed our families.
At this time of year, we want to take advantage of seasonal foods because the taste is better.
Strawberries are packed with antioxidants like vitamin C and fibre. Enjoy these strawberry dishes.
STRAWBERRY CREPES
These easy to prepare crepes were served to me in a high school food lab. They’re a great red and white way to celebrate Canada Day.
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3 eggs
1 c. flour 250 mL
1/8 tsp. salt .5 mL
1 c. milk 250 mL[
1/4 c. wate 60 mLr
2 tbsp. butter or margarine, melted30 mL
Filling:
4 c. fresh sliced strawberrie 1 Ls
1/2 c. brown suga 125 mLr
4 c. whipped cream icing suga 1 Lr
In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs with a fork. Add flour and salt and beat. Gradually add milk and water, combining until smooth. Cover and refrigerat
for at least 30 minutes.
Mix the strawberries with brown sugar and let sit.
After the batter is set, heat an eight inch skillet that is lightly greased with butter. Pour in about 1/3 cup of batter to fill the bottom of the skillet. Cook for approximately 30 seconds or until lightly browned. Turn and repeat on the other side and turn onto a pan and place into a low heat oven that will keep the crepes warm until you have cooked enough to serve.
Fill each crepe with about 1/2 cup (125 mL) of strawberries and top with whipped cream. Fold over the crepe and garnish lightly with strawberries and whipped cream. Sprinkle with icing sugar if desired.
Source: cooks.com.
STRAWBERRY DAIQUIRI
This drink can be served with or without liquor.
4 tbsp. light rum or vodka (optional) or water 60 mL
4 tbsp. lemon juice 60 mL
2 tbsp. sugar 30 mL
2 c. fresh sliced strawberries 500 mL
6 ice cubes
In a blender, combine the rum or water, lemon juice and sugar. Add strawberries and ice cubes and blend until well combined, serve immediately. Serves two.
STRAWBERRY GREENS SALAD
It’s salad time. Jazz up your greens with seasonal produce.
4 c. each of spinach and romainelettuce, torn 1L
2 c. fresh sliced strawberries 500 mL
1 10 oz. can of mandarin oranges, drained 284 mL
1 c. sugar snap peas, cut in half 250 mL
1/4 c. raspberry vinaigrette 60 mL
Combine the first four ingredients in a large bowl. Mix well. Pour dressing over the greens before serving. Note: Add cooked chicken to make it a meal salad.
Source: Kraft Kitchens.
ROAST CHICKEN ON THE GRILL
Try this cooking method to avoid blackened chicken. Serve with salad and a baked potato.
4 to 5 lb. whole chicken
2 lemons
2 garlic cloves
1 c. barbecue sauce of your choice 250 mL
1/2 tsp. paprika 2 mL
1 tsp. lemon and pepper seasoning 5 mL
dash of seasoning salt
Preheat both burners on the barbecue to medium heat.
Cut lemons in half and squeeze the juice into a mixing bowl. Place the lemons and garlic in the chicken cavity.
Sprinkle seasoning salt lightly over the chicken. Add the barbecue sauce, paprika and lemon pepper seasoning to the lemon juice.
Turn off one burner on the barbecue and place the chicken in a baking pan (breast side up) over this side.
Close the lid and cook for approximately two hours or until juices run clear.
Baste the chicken with the lemon juice mixture during cooking.
STRAWBERRY ANGEL FOOD TOPPING
This easy and delicious dessert was a hit at a staff party I attended.
1 4-serving size vanilla instant pudding
1 can crushed pineapple, 398 mL
undrained
1 c. whipped cream 250 mL
4 c. fresh strawberries, sliced 1 L
1 baked angel food cake
Combine the dry pudding mix and pineapple in a mixing bowl. Fold in the whipped topping and refrigerate for at least 45 minutes before serving.
Cut the angel food cake into slices. Drop a large spoonful of the filling mix on each slice and top with fresh cut strawberries.
Why are they called STRAWberries?
•There is a legend that strawberries were named in the 19th century by English children who picked the fruit, strung them on grass straws and sold them as straws of berries.
•Another theory is the name was derived from the 19th century practice, and still used today, of placing straw around growing berry plants to protect the ripening fruit.
•The most widely held view is that the name strawberry was derived from the berries that are strewn about on the plants, and the name strewn berry eventually morphed into strawberry.
Jodie Mirosovsky is a home economist from Rosetown, Sask., and a member of Team Resources. Contact: team@producer.com.
