How to Celebrate National Strawberry Month

May is National Strawberry Month. Strawberries are low in calories and high in Vitamin C. They contain antioxidants and may reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer. Research indicates strawberries may help improve memory. Remember to pick up a basket of strawberries for reasonsof health and taste. These easy tips will help you get those berries from the basket to the table.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Strawberries

1. 
    
   Market strawberries

   Pick market strawberries that are plump, bright red and have fresh green leafy caps. Refrigerate unwashed berries immediately. Wash them in cool water and pull off the green cap just before eating. Promptly throw out soft or moldy strawberries.

2. 
    
   Strawberry Yum

   Start the day with a strawberry. Munch fresh strawberries during breakfast. Serve chilled strawberries with cereal. Slice them into pancakes. Blend them in a breakfast smoothie. Slice them into a yogurt and granola parfait.

3. Chill out with fruit salad. Chop or mash 1/2 cup of ripe strawberries. Blend with 1/2 cup of light sour cream or whipped cream to make salad dressing. Line four individual plates or salad bowls with lettuce. Divide 2 cups seasonal fruit -- such as blueberries, raspberries, sliced peaches or kiwis -- among the salads. Top with halved strawberries and a sprinkling of mint leaves. Serve with dressing.

4. 
    
   Strawberry cake

   Get out the cake. Strawberry lore says that Native Americans crushed strawberries and mixed them with cornmeal to bake strawberry bread. Early settlers tasted it and created their own recipe, which became Strawberry Shortcake. The simplest recipe is sliced strawberries poured over white cake or a biscuit and topped with whipped cream.

5. Shake it up. Get out the blender. Blend together 2 cups of strawberries, 2 cups of ice cream or plain lowfat yogurt, 1 cup of ice cubes and 1 cup of milk. Blend until smooth. Serve in chilled glasses with straws and long-handled spoons. Serves three to four people.

6. 
    
   The party berry

   Go for a dip. Wash and dry fresh strawberries. Serve them in a bowl or on a dip platter. Serve with small dishes of sour cream and brown sugar. Guests dip a strawberry into the sour cream and then into the brown sugar. For the chocolate lovers, put out small dishes of chocolate syrup, powdered sweet cocoa or grated semi-sweet chocolate.

7. Stuff it. Combine 8 oz. of softened cream cheese with 1/2 cup of confectioner's sugar and 1/8 tsp. of cinnamon. Mix (with an electric mixer) in a large bowl until smooth. Wash 1 quart of strawberries. Remove the cap and hollow out the top of each berry using a strawberry huller or small knife. Fill this hole with the cream cheese mixture. You may prefer to use a pastry bag or small plastic bag to guide the filling into the berries. Serve and have a berry good time!

Resources

• CSC Recipes
• Strawberries and More