Summer Strawberry Recipes

It's fast approaching the time of year when beautiful British strawberries hit the shops and if, like me, you like to try your hand at home-growing, you might be rewarded with a little crop of your own.

If you're needing a little inspiration on how to make the most of these beauties, look no further! I've put together a few quick & easy strawberry recipes for you...


Strawberry Lemonade
Serves 6-8

Ingredients
570g strawberries, halved
2 lemons, quartered 
88g honey or sugar, depending on your preference and sweetness of strawberries
1.5 litres of water
Ice
Strawberry slices, lemon slices and/or fresh herbs (e.g. mint, lemon verbena, lemon balm, basil) to garnish

Instructions
1. Blend the strawberries, lemons and honey with half a litre of water
2. Strain the strawberry lemon mix, add the additional litre of water through the strainer
3. Taste and add additional honey/sugar if needed
4. Serve cold over ice and garnished with strawberry slices, lemon slices and herbs

{For a cheeky Strawberry Sangria, add a litre of white or sparkling wine instead of water in step 2}

No Churn Strawberry Ice-Cream

Serves 3-4

Ingredients
450g sliced, frozen strawberries
4 tbsp maple syrup
5 tbsp almond milk

Instructions
1. Mix the strawberries and 1 tbsp maple syrup in a food processor until the fruit is broken up into small pieces
2.  Add 2 tbsp maple syrup and 2 tbsp almond milk, mixing until incorporated
3. Add the remaining syrup and almond milk, mixing until well combined (the mixture may still appear to be in small separate pieces, but don't worry about that)
4. Transfer to a bowl and use a large spoon to press the ice cream together into a round form before serving

Grilled Strawberry Shortcakes with Orange Marinade

Serves 8

Ingredients
1 shop bought shortcake loaf, cut into 2 inch cubes
1kg strawberries
2 litres frozen vanilla yogurt or ice cream

For the marinade:
1/2 tsp orange zest 
120ml orange juice, freshly squeezed if you can
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp water
1/8 tsp salt
1/2 tsp vanilla

Instructions
1. Preheat the grill to medium high
2. Make the marinade by combining all the ingredients in a small bowl3. Thread alternate strawberries and cake onto wooden skewers
4. Brush with the orange marinade & place under/on the grill for 30-60 seconds per side, until lightly grill-marked & warm
5. Serve with the yogurt or ice cream

 

Easy Strawberry Jam

Makes about 8 jars

Ingredients
1.8kg strawberries, hulled & halved
525kg preserving sugar
120ml lemon juice

Instructions

1. In a large bowl pour the sugar over the strawberries and stir gently to evenly disperse it
2. Allow the berries to macerate in the bowl for 2½ hours

3. Place the mixture in a large metal pot, pour in the lemon juice, and turn the heat to medium high
4. Bring to the boil and then lower the heat to medium and stir constantly for 20 minutes, or longer if you want a thicker more gelled jam
5. Ladle the hot jam into sterilised jars and cap them