Fantastic Fruit Recipes: New Ideas for Strawberries (2024)

Luscious, heavenly scented, and red all the way through; these are the signs of a strawberry picked at its peak. And what you see--and smell--is what you get: This fruit doesn't continue to ripen after harvest. Choose deeply colored berries and avoid mushy ones. Consider buying organic: Strawberries retain a high level of pesticide residue.

Chill whole, unwashed berries in a single layer, loosely covered. Just before using, rinse gently in a bowl of cold water (don't run them under the tap) and dry on paper towels (wet berries spoil faster). Then, enjoy! Strawberries are rich in antioxidants and, ounce for ounce, have more vitamin C than oranges. Try them in these seven delicious recipes

Strawberry Parfaits

• Cut 1 lb strawberries into quarters and divide half among 4 glasses.
• Divide 1 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt and 3 Tbsp muesli cereal evenly among glasses.
• Repeat with remaining berries and additional 1 cup yogurt and 3 Tbsp muesli. Top with sliced berries.

NUTRITION (per serving) 169 cal, 7 g pro, 32 g carb, 3 g fiber, 2.5 g fat, 1 g sat fat, 92 mg sodium

Strawberry Chicken Salad

• Whisk together 2 Tbsp olive oil and 1 Tbsp vinegar in medium bowl.
• Add 3/4 lb cubed cooked chicken breast, 2 cups quartered strawberries, 1 cup tender watercress leaves, and 1/8 tsp each salt and pepper. Toss gently. Serves 4.

NUTRITION (per serving) 228 cal, 27 g pro, 7 g carb, 2 g fiber, 10 g fat, 2 g sat fat, 286 mg sodium

Strawberry-Cheese Toasts

• Stir 2 cups chopped strawberries with 7 Tbsp reduced-fat cream cheese, 3 Tbsp sour cream, 1 Tbsp chopped fresh basil, and 1/8 tsp each salt and pepper.
• Divide mixture evenly among 12 toasted baguette slices and top each with a basil leaf.

NUTRITION (per toast) 92 cal, 3 g pro, 13 g carb, 0 g fiber, 3 g fat, 1.5 g sat fat, 228 mg sodium

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Strawberry-Banana Smoothies

• Blend together 1 cup halved strawberries, 1 small sliced banana, 1 cup ice cubes, 1/2 cup 1% milk, and 2 tsp agave nectar or honey until smooth.
• Pour into 2 chilled glasses and top each with a strawberry.

NUTRITION (per serving) 124 cal, 3 g pro, 27 g carb, 3 g fiber, 1.5 g fat, 0.5 g sat fat, 33 mg sodium

Strawberry Buttermilk Pancakes

• Whisk together 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp each salt and sugar, 1 cup low-fat buttermilk, and 1 tsp vanilla extract.
• Heat lightly greased nonstick griddle or pan. Spoon a scant 1/3 cup batter onto hot surface in batches of 3 and cook about 1 minute.
• Sprinkle about 1 Tbsp chopped strawberries one ach pancake and flip with spatula. Cook until golden brown on underside, about 1 minute longer.
• Serve with maple syrup. Makes 12.

NUTRITION (per pancake) 51 cal, 2 g pro, 10 g carb, 0.5 g fiber, 0.5 g fat, 0 g sat fat, 224 mg sodium

Broiled Strawberries with Balsamic, Black Pepper, and Basil

• Heat broiler. Put 2 cups quartered strawberries on greased, foil-lined shallow baking pan.
• Broil strawberries 6" from heat until slightly charred and juicy, about 4 minutes.
• Pour into bow and toss with 2 tsp each sugar and balsamic vinegar. Season with pepper to taste.
• Serve on crackers with goat cheese and basil leaves. Makes 1 cup.

NUTRITION (per serving; 2 Tbsp) 19 cal, 0.5 g pro, 5 g carb, 1 g fiber, 0 g fat, 0 g sat fat, 1 mg sodium

Strawberry Salsa

• Combine 1 1/2 cups chopped strawberries, 2 Tbsp chopped cilantro, 1 1/2 Tbsp fresh lime juice, 1 Tbsp chopped jalapeno, 2 tsp finely chopped shallot, and 1/2 tsp agave nectar. Makes 1 1/2 cups.

NUTRITION (per 1/4 cup) 17 cal, 0.5 g pro, 4 g carb, 1 g fiber, 0 g fat, 0 g sat fat, 1 mg sodium

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