By Linda Arceo
Strawberry season has arrived in southern New Jersey. With fresh, local strawberries hitting the farmers markets and stores, it is time to sink your teeth into the sweet taste of season with these delicious and simple strawberry-inspired recipes for strawberry season.
Strawberries are great on their own and are even better in pastries, drinks and desserts. Choose from these three recipes to make the most of your summer berry bounty.
Easy Puff Pastry Berry-Cheese Danish
4-6 servings | Cook time 10 min.
Ingredients
- 2 sheets puff pastry; thawed
- 8 oz cream cheese; at room temperature
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 eggs, divided
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (for rolling and work space dusting)
- fresh strawberries, sliced
- handful of blueberries
- powdered sugar (optional)
Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese and sugar and cream together until smooth. Add vanilla and 2 egg yolks and stir until just combined.
On a floured surface, unfold both sheets of puff pastry and roll and stretch each sheet until it is about the size of a baking sheet. Place one puff pastry sheet on top of the other and roll with rolling pin to merge together.
Score and cut the puff pastry sheet into 15 equal squares. Spoon a tablespoon of cream cheese filling into the center of each square. Top with a few fresh strawberry slices and blueberries. Combine reserved egg whites with 2 tablespoons of water to make an egg wash. Brush unbaked puff pastry danish with an egg white wash. Bake in 400 degree oven for 10 minutes or until golden brown, rotating the pans once halfway through. Dust with powdered sugar prior to serving (optional).
Strawberry Lemonade Refresher
1 serving | Cook time 5 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 cup lemonade
- 1 lemon, sliced
- 1/2 cup strawberries, sliced
- 1/2 cup fresh blueberries
- splash of lemon-lime soda or seltzer
Directions
Fill a mason jar with ice and line inside with lemon slices. Add a handful of sliced strawberries and blueberries to the jar. Fill with lemonade and finish with a splash of lemon-lime soda or seltzer.
Strawberry Dessert Tacos
6 servings | Cook time 10 minutes
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup white granulated sugar
- 1 TBSP cinnamon
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 6 small flour tortillas
- 1 cup, fresh strawberries, sliced
- 1 pint, vanilla ice cream
- chocolate syrup
- chocolate sprinkles
Directions
In a large shallow dish mix together the granulated sugar and the cinnamon. Set to the side.
In a large skillet heat the canola oil until hot. Place one tortilla in the skillet cook for 10 seconds then using tongs flip over. Remove from the skillet, drain quickly on a paper towel. Dip both sides in the cinnamon sugar. Shake excess cinnamon sugar off and quickly fold while tortilla is still warm. Repeat until all the taco shells are cooked.
Once the taco shells are cooked, fill tacos with 1-2 small scoops of vanilla ice cream, drizzle with chocolate syrup and top with sliced strawberries. Sprinkle with chocolate sprinkles. Serve quickly.
Strawberry season is short, but sweet. Visit your local farmers market or pick-your-own strawberry patch for fresh, plump strawberries and celebrate this seasonal fruit one bite at a time.
Linda Arceo is the owner and content creator behind the food, drink and travel blog Giggles, Gobbles and Gulps. Linda is a digital influencer and freelance writer focusing on food, travel, lifestyle and culinary tourism. Linda’s blog can be found at www.gigglesgobblesandgulps.com and you can follow her on Instagram at @GigGobGulp.
