There is nothing quite like the taste of a British strawberry during the height of summer. As these vibrant red gems flood local farm shops and supermarkets, it is the perfect time to celebrate their sweet flavour. Whether you have been fruit picking at a local patch or grabbed a punnet on your weekly shop, fresh berries do not last long. To help you make the most of this fleeting seasonal treat, we have rounded up three incredibly easy ways to enjoy them before the season fades.
Mint Sugar
One of the simplest ways to elevate fresh strawberries is by tossing them in a quick, vibrant mint-infused sugar. Whipping up a batch of homemade mint sugar takes mere minutes but adds a delightfully fresh, aromatic kick to your fruit bowl. Simply blitz a handful of fresh mint leaves with four tablespoons of white caster sugar in a food processor until well combined. Alternatively, grind a small handful of mint leaves with a couple of dessert spoons of granulated sugar using a pestle and mortar. The coarse granulated sugar helps release the minty juice from the leaf. Toss this bright green sugar over chopped strawberries and let them sit for 10 minutes at room temperature until a glorious, glossy syrup forms. Or pile the berries on a meringue nest topped with whipped cream and dust with the mint sugar.
Frozen Treats
Turning your surplus strawberry haul into a refreshing dairy-free ice lolly is an absolute game-changer. These homemade ice pops are a much healthier alternative to shop-bought processed treats. For this recipe, blend 400g of washed strawberries with the juice of half a lime and two tablespoons of honey or maple syrup. Pour the smooth mixture into your favourite lolly moulds, pop them in the freezer, and they will be ready to enjoy an hour or two later.
Summer Baking
If you are hosting a weekend gathering or a sunny afternoon tea, a classic strawberry galette is the ultimate rustic dessert. Unlike a traditional tart, this free-form pastry is incredibly forgiving to make because it is supposed to look delightfully imperfect. Simply roll out a sheet of ready-made shortcrust pastry onto a baking tray and pile 300g of sliced strawberries into the centre. Fold the pastry edges inward to trap the juices, brush with milk, and bake at 200C for 25 minutes until the crust is beautifully golden.
Berry Best Storage Tips
To truly get the best out of your summer fruit, how you store them when you get home makes all the difference. Experts recommend keeping strawberries unwashed in their original punnet in the fridge until the exact moment you are ready to eat them. Moisture is the ultimate enemy of the berry, so washing them too early can cause them to spoil and go mushy overnight. If you find yourself with an overwhelming glut, you can also spread them on a tray to freeze solid before transferring them to bags for winter smoothies.
