7 Strawberry-tastic ideas
Quick wins, clever twists, and a few little luxuries.
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The sound of tennis balls being hit and the taste of ripe strawberries—together, they’re the essence of a British summer. These days, I’ve brought the tradition to Sweden, with Wimbledon playing in the background while I potter about in the kitchen. Strawberries in hand, of course.
You don’t need to know your backhand from your forehand to get that summery strawberry feeling. And it doesn’t have to be the usual strawberries and cream either. My go-to? A strawberry tartine—simple, elegant, and even better with a sprinkle of dark chocolate (highly recommended if you're after something a little indulgent).
Now, if you want your strawberries to really shine, there are a few tricks to keep in mind. Like tomatoes, they hate the cold—store them in the fridge and you’ll lose half the flavour. If you absolutely must chill them, bring them to room temperature at least 30 minutes before serving.
I like to give mine a gentle soak in water with a teaspoon or two of bicarbonate of soda (it helps lift off any lingering pesticides or grime), then rinse and dry carefully. If they’re not being eaten straight away, make sure they’re properly dry and stored in a single layer - no strawberry soup, thank you.
Got a slightly lacklustre punnet? Don’t panic. Macerating them with a little sugar or citrus can coax out the sweetness. And here’s a little chef’s secret: a tiny pinch of salt can make the flavour sing.
What’s your favourite way to eat strawberries? Would love to hear it in the comments below. Merci!
#1 - Boost the flavour {pb, nf, gf}
#2 - A fresh picnic alternative to your soggy sandwich {v, nf, gf}
#3 - A French cake classic with a strawberry twist {v, nf}
#4 - One pan pasta sauce {v, nf, pb, gf*}
#5 - A surprising salad perfect for a picnic or packed lunch {nf, v*, gf*, pb*}
#6 - Not your regular BBQ hotdog {v, nf, gf*, pb*}
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