Tag: strawberry

No Churn Strawberry Sorbet

Ever try something and wonder why in the world it took you so long to do it? This no churn strawberry sorbet is easy, comes together quickly, and doesn’t need any special equipment. No ice cream maker, no churning. And there are only four ingredients.

All you have to do is make a simple syrup, add fruit, and then a touch of lemon juice. Mix it all together, and freeze. That’s it. There are other recipes out there that call for freezing, then chopping, then freezing again. Or adding vodka. Not necessary. I adapted it from this recipe. Unusually, I made double!

This version requires hardly any effort and you get a rich, sweet, fruit-filled dessert. Without having to brave the crowds at the store (or the local frozen treat shop). I even gave the recipe to a customer service rep while I was on hold.

I used strawberries (plain old supermarket ones). This would be even better if you have a greenmarket nearby. You can, obviously, swap out the strawberries for some other fruit too.

No Churn Strawberry Sorbet Substitutions and Variations

  • Use blueberries or blackberries instead of strawberries
  • Try pureeing some mango (maybe cut the sugar a bit)
  • Peach would work too

More Easy Frozen Dessert Recipes

strawberry banana yogurt popsicles plateStrawberry Banana Yogurt Popsicles

These refreshing strawberry banana popsicles are perfect for a hot summer day.

 

frozen mango yogurt dessertFrozen Mango Yogurt Dessert Recipe Without an Ice Cream Machine

No added sugar, no special tools. The sweetness comes entirely from the fruit. Mix it up in your blender. Don’t have mango? Use another favorite fruit.

 

watermelon smoothie/slushWatermelon Slush

Cool, refreshing, and perfect for hot weather. Make it with booze, or without. Good as a drink, or as a dessert.

 

juice popsicleOne Ingredient Juice Popsicles

Feeling extra lazy? These popsicles have exactly one ingredient. Pour into molds, freeze, and slurp.

 

 

Strawberry Blueberry Crumble

These strawberry blueberry crumble bars were not planned. Oh, I’d made the original blueberry crumble bars a number of times. Even got friends to make them. Turns out they are extremely forgiving (friend left them in the oven way too long and they were still good!)

However, in this case I had to pivot. I only had about a cup of blueberries. But there were also some strawberries that had to get used up. So strawberry blueberry crumble bars were born!

I did halve the original recipe (because that required FOUR cups of fruit and I only had two), and also cut down the sugar a bit since the strawberries are sweeter than the blueberries. Also, lacking a fresh lemon, I used lemon peel and lemon juice instead of fresh zest and juice. I’ve given amounts for both.

I tend to like less sweet desserts anyway. You can adjust to your own taste.



 

 

More Fruit Desserts

Mini Blueberry Hand Pie Recipemini blueberry hand pies

Your favorite blueberry pie in an easy to hold, portable package. And one serving per “pie.” Just the thing for a picnic, brining lunch to work, or making sure you don’t eat the whole pie all at once.

Easy Plum Tart Recipe for Oneeasy plum tart

No special pan required, and you don’t have to wait forever for the crust to chill. Great with either Italian plums (the long narrow kind) or regular round ones.

 

Rustic Pear Tartrustic pear tart slice with ice cream

You don’t have to crimp the crust, pre-bake anything, or even pre-cook the pears. Active time is about 15 minutes and it’s all done in 90. Works great with either pears or apples.

ginger pear breadSmall Batch Ginger Pear Bread

Adapted from a banana bread recipe (yes, I had no bananas) this quick bread balances sweet, juicy pears with warm cinnamon and a gingery kick.

 




Strawberry Banana Yogurt Popsicles

I’m told it’s popsicle week this week, and who am I to argue?  It’s barely summer but NY has already hit “swelter season.”  That means it’s what we call 3H weather: hazy, hot, and humid.  Strawberry banana yogurt popsicles are sweet, cold, and have no additional sugar added. They’re the perfect summer treat when the temperature hits “Oh no, you gotta be kidding me!”  There’s also no cooking or heating anything involved; ideal when it’s just too warm and sticky to face a hot stove.

All you have to do is measure the ingredients, blend everything together, and then freeze. About 2 hours later,  you’ve got a great snack.

I adapted the recipe slightly from one I found online here.  The original recipe was for 10 pops, which is way too much.  So, I cut it in half.   I also used strawberries instead of mixed berries. It’s the height of strawberry season and they are outrageously delicious!

strawberry banana yogurt popsicles

I have a four-pop mold popsicle set, which holds about three ounces each.  I’ve had them for years, which is both great and annoying. Great because they’ve held up well; annoying because since the pops all insert into one tray, it’s hard to get only one pop at a time.  I’d much rather have something like this,  which is designed to make it easier to get one pop out at a time.

Some molds are bigger (or smaller), so the final number of pops you get will depend on the size of the mold you have. If you don’t have a mold at all, you can pour the mixture into an ice cube tray and stick toothpicks in it. That will give you a dozen bite size mini-pops instead.




Strawberry Banana Yogurt Popsicles Substitutions and Variations

  • Use blackberries, raspberries, or a combination of berries instead of just strawberries
  • If you have leftover mixture, add some crushed ice, blend it again, and make a smoothie
  • Add a splash of vanilla extract and/or nutmeg
  • Go for some tequila or rum and make adult popsicles (figure roughly one ounce of liquor per five ounces of everything else)
Ozera popsicle molds
Ozera Reusable Popsicle Molds

This design makes it far easier to get one popsicle at a time. Each mold sits in its own individual slot, so you don’t have to struggle to get just one pop. There’s also a little tiny brush to clean them with. Or, just put them in the dishwasher.

Zuko pop makerZoku Duo Quick Pop Maker

 

If you really want to get fancy, try out this juice pop maker. Freeze the container ahead of time, then add the ingredients, and you’ll get a tasty frozen treat in just 7 minutes. It doesn’t even need electricity. Note that this will only work with sugar-sweetened pops (not sugar-free or artificial sweeteners).

More Fruit Desserts and Drinks

juice popsicleOne Ingredient Juice Popsicles

My mom used to make these when I was little. They were delicious then, and still are. A healthy, sweet treat that’s great on hot days.

 

banana smoothie for oneBanana Smoothie Recipe for One

A sweet drink that’s packed with vitamins and potassium, rather than processed sugar. Great for a snack.

 

cinnamon sugar bananasCinnamon Sugar Bananas with Brandy

Treat yourself with an easy dessert that takes very little effort to make. Serve plain or top with chocolate sauce or ice cream.

 

strawberry basil mojitoStrawberry Basil Mojito with Lime

Kick back, relax, and enjoy a refreshing adult beverage. Close your eyes and pretend you’re on a tropical beach, swaying under the palm trees.

 




Strawberry Balsamic Grilled Cheese Sandwich

A great way to take advantage of fresh, local strawberries, this strawberry balsamic grilled cheese sandwich is an updated childhood classic meant for grownups. Don’t worry, it’s still wonderful comfort food!

I saw a similar recipe on social media and decided I had to try it.  They used blackberries, but I figured strawberries would work just as well, and I had just a few local summer strawberries left (since the season was delayed by wet weather).  The original post I saw didn’t specify what cheese to use.  The internet suggested a strawberry balsamic brie sandwich, but I didn’t have brie either.  So, I used smoked gouda instead. The gooey, melty, smoky gouda, the tart vinegar, and the sweet strawberries combine for a salty-sweet-tangy burst of flavor. Plus, some crunch from the grilled bread.

You can use the gouda, or brie, or any mild cheese that melts well for this. If you don’t have strawberries, use blackberries instead.  I made this with rye bread, but any crusty bread would work well. Ciabatta would likely be great (it makes wonderful grilled cheese sandwiches), because it absorbs the oil’s flavor and turns a beautiful golden brown without getting greasy.

There are lots of different opinions on how to grill cheese sandwiches (or toast them if you are in the UK).  Some butter the bread, others slather on mayonnaise (no  no no).  I prefer to just cook them in a mixture of butter and oil.  The oil has a higher smoking point than butter does (so it’s less likely to burn).  The butter adds extra flavor.




Strawberry Balsamic Grilled Cheese Sandwich Substitutions and Variations

  • use blackberries or raspberries instead of strawberries (blueberries might work too, but they’re harder to cut up)
  • try brie, goat cheese, or Monterey Jack instead of gouda
  • experiment with crusty breads such as ciabatta or a hearth loaf
  • toss in a few fresh basil leaves
  • add some black pepper to the strawberry/balsamic mixture

More Sandwich Recipes

three cheese grilled cheese sandwichThree Cheese Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Rich, melty gooey and wonderful comfort food. This sandwich has not one or two, but three cheeses.

 

chicken caprese salad paniniChicken Caprese Salad Panini Sandwich

Grilled cheese for adults. It’s got chicken, tomatoes, basil, and toasted, melty cheese…yum!

 

bacon spinach tomato aioli sandwichBacon Spinach Tomato Aioli Sandwich Recipe

Bacon! We’re obsessed with it. We eat it on everything (pasta, sandwiches, even ice cream). This sandwich has an extra kick from the aioli (garlicky mayonnaise). Don’t worry, there’s an easy trick to make your own.

vegetarian eggplant sandwichVegetarian Eggplant Sandwich for One Person

So maybe you don’t want bacon. Try this vegetarian sandwich with tender eggplant, crisp and crunchy Israeli salad, and hummus.

 




Strawberry Basil Mojito with Lime

A strawberry basil mojito is cool, refreshing, and the perfect way to relax after a long, hot, summer day.  Much as I love standard mojitos, this version is even better.

The berries add extra sweetness, the basil adds freshness (and the whole combination just shouts “summer!”). Then you get the added sweet-sour citrus punch from the lime.

I use minimal sugar, particularly in June, when the strawberries are at their peak, but you can add more if you like it sweeter, or if the strawberries aren’t sweet enough.

Coating the edge of the glass with sugar and lime juice transforms your everyday mojito cocktail into something that looks like you got it at an upscale restaurant.

Pour your strawberry mojito into a tall glass, slice yourself some cheese, put out some crackers and olives and you have a party for one. Then, close your eyes and pretend you’re lounging on a soft, white beach surrounded by palm trees. Ahhhhhh.




 

Ingredients and Tools for Making Your Strawberry Mojito

cuisinart stick blender

Cuisinart  Immersion Hand Blender

Use this to make your mojito, for smoothies, to make salad dressing, to puree soups, or for milkshakes.  The cleanup is minimal (just push a button and remove the part with the blades). It comes in lots of colors, so you can get one to match your kitchen.

 

More Strawberry Recipes

strawberry banana yogurt popsicles plateStrawberry Banana Yogurt Popsicles

An easy sweet treat, with ingredients you can identify (unlike store-bought popsicles). Delicious and soo refreshing on a hot day.

 

strawberry balsamic grilled cheeseStrawberry Balsamic Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Take the usual grilled cheese and elevate it by adding strawberries and balsamic vinegar. Not a combination you might expect, but the tangy vinegar offsets the sweet strawberries beautifully.

strawberry spinach salad with balsamic dressing and feta cheeseStrawberry Spinach Salad with Balsamic Dressing and Feta Cheese

When the strawberries are at their peak, and too good to fuss with, turn them into an entire meal. Add earthy spinach, and salty feta, then top it with homemade balsamic vinaigrette.

 




Strawberry Spinach Salad with Balsamic Dressing and Feta Cheese

Strawberry season has finally arrived! They’re wonderful just right out of the box, but much as I love strawberries, they’re not a complete meal.  This strawberry spinach salad with balsamic dressing and feta cheese is easy to make, delicious, and even healthy (all those greens and Vitamin C). And the colors look pretty too.  The tartness of the balsamic vinegar, and the saltiness of the feta cheese complements the sweetness of the strawberries. The almonds on top add a bit of extra crunch.

Since I wanted more veggies than just spinach, I added carrots, red cabbage, and tomatoes for extra color and more nutrition (I was trying to make up for indulging at a party!).

Make the dressing first, and let the flavors blend together while you fix the rest of the salad.

This is a great quick lunch or dinner. Just double the spinach, and add more tomatoes. You might want to increase the dressing recipe too (I like less dressing than most people).




 

Strawberry Spinach Salad with Balsamic Dressing and Feta Cheese Substitutions and Variations

  • Try mixed greens instead of the spinach
  • Use goat cheese rather than feta
  • Swap the strawberries for blueberries
  • If you’re wary of the balsamic, try a lemony vinaigrette dressing instead
  • Top it all with some mixed nuts or walnuts

More Entree Salad Recipes

smoked salmon artichoke saladSmoked Salmon Artichoke Salad

Colorful and delicious, this salad has bright and sweet citrus,  earthy spinach, crispy veggies, and plenty of flavor,  all topped with a savory dressing.

 

chili citrus avocado chicken saladChili Citrus Avocado Chicken Salad

A great summer salad with leftover chicken, tangy lime, and rich, smooth avocado.  The chicken comes with a kick, so it’s a festival of sweet//spicy flavors.

 

cottage cheese yogurt and fruitCottage Cheese Yogurt and Fruit Salad

Healthy and easy to make. I used mango, but you can use strawberries, nectarines, peaches, or blueberries if you like. Or mix them all up.  Just pour everything into a bowl. Done!

cold leftover steak saladCold Leftover Steak Salad with Goat Cheese and Red Wine Vinaigrette

Forget the classic steak sandwich for a minute and use your leftovers to make this salad instead.  Chop some veggies, add goat cheese, and make a quick red wine vinaigrette. A full meal with no cooking! Ta da!