Much Ado about Strawberries

Last week, I went on a strawberry picking excursion and returned with 11 pounds of wonderful, fresh berries. Since then, my brain has been positively spinning with recipes, and I've been scurrying about the kitchen like a madwoman, trying to make all these recipes happen. :) Here's what I've been up to lately...

Strawberry Rhubarb Jam

Had to replenish my supply for future Biscuit Baskets! Try out this jam from AllRecipes.

Strawberry Rhubarb Quick Bread

This was a new one from King Arthur Flour. The bread turned out terrifically moist from all the fruit. All three loaves are stowed away in the freezer for later gifting or consumption.

Strawberry Short-cracker

I came up with this simple little dessert when I was scrounging the kitchen for lunch the other afternoon. There was some real whipped cream left over from a layer cake I made, so I put a dollop of cream on a graham cracker and added a sliced strawberry. The resulting flavor was indescribably good! I might call it swoon-worthy, though that adjective is generally reserved for Ross Poldark. Needless to say, these "Strawberry Short-crackers" are incredible. All the heart eyes.

Chocolate-Covered Strawberries

I was surprised at how easy it was to put these together. I must be getting really efficient at tempering chocolate. Practice, practice! Just like piano :) I made a few different decorating combinations: white chocolate with multi-colored sugar sprinkles, white chocolate with milk chocolate drizzle, milk chocolate with white chocolate drizzle, and milk chocolate with gold sugar sprinkles. They make for a pretty dessert plate, don't they?

Strawberries and Cream Waffles

On Saturday, we had a marvelous waffle breakfast, which is always a special treat. We used Betty Crocker's waffle recipe and topped the waffles with generous amounts of butter, syrup, strawberries, and real whipped cream. Oh, and a dusting of powdered sugar. Haha! Not the healthiest breakfast on record, but enjoyable nonetheless.

And luckily, after all these concoctions, I still have strawberries to spare. Oh joy! The rest are going in the freezer, and I shall continue to brainstorm about strawberry hand pies, a strawberry swiss roll, strawberry shortcake, strawberry basil ice cream... See? I just can't stop.

Before I sign off, here's a favorite quote from Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. Sam Gamgee is speaking to Frodo as they struggle to climb Mount Doom and dispose of the Ring. It seems they'll never make it, but Sam wants to remind Frodo of the Shire, and all the wonderful things they have to get back to once the quest is complete.

Do you remember the Shire, Mr. Frodo? It'll be spring soon... And they'll be sowing the summer barley in the lower fields... and eating the first of the strawberries with cream. Do you remember the taste of strawberries? ~ Sam Gamgee, The Return of the King

'Til next time,

Eva