From Linda Larsen,
Your Guide to Busy Cooks.
FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!

I remember the first time one of my nieces ate a strawberry. She was 8 months old and I gave her a bite. She made such a face, then she immediately reached for more!

Now for some strawberry facts.

• Strawberries are not a true berry! Botanically, they are called a pseudocarp, or 'false fruit' because the seeds (about 200 per berry) are on the outside of the fruit instead of being imbedded in the flesh.
• More than half of eight-year-old children picked the strawberry as their favorite fruit.
• Strawberries are very fragile, best handled gently and used quickly. Do not rinse or hull berries until right before you're going to eat them or use them in a recipe. And use them within 2-3 days of purchase.
• Strawberries used to be considered an aphrodisiac. They were cultivated by the Romans around 200 B.C. Legend has it that if you find a 'double' strawberry and share it with a member of the opposite sex, you'll fall in love.
• Strawberries are so good for you! A cup of the sweet fruit has about 50 calories, and provides a good amount of vitamin C, potassium, folic acid, and fiber.

If you've never picked your own strawberries, you need to put that task on your life list. The berries don't travel well because they are so fragile, so most commercial berries are a hardier strain. You won't believe the flavor, tenderness, and juiciness of berries that you pick yourself. And think about growing your own strawberries. All you need is a strawberry pot and sunshine.

You can freeze strawberries to preserve them for winter use, although the fruit is available year round. Slice them, sprinkle them with sugar, let stand for about an hour, then pack into freezer containers and freeze for up to six months. You can also preserve the fruit by making Freezer Jam or Strawberry Conserve.

Enjoy these recipes for strawberries this week!

Strawberry Recipes

• Scallops with Strawberries
  The sweet and tart flavor of strawberries complements tender and slightly salty scallops to perfection in this simple and colorful dish.
• Strawberry Salsa
  Serve this fabulous and spicy salsa with everything from grilled chicken to poached fish.
• Strawberry Mint Dessert
  I love this old fashioned dessert. You need to start this recipe at least a day before you want to serve it.
• Strawberry Frangipane Pie
  Strawberries and almonds were made for each other. This rich pie isn't too sweet.
• Strawberry Margarita Swordfish
  This exotic recipe is so simple and quick to make. You can make it with tuna or salmon as well.
• Strawberry S'More Tart
  This has to be one of the most spectacular desserts ever. Strawberries and chocolate are also made for each other!
• Strawberry Spinach Chicken Salad
  This incredible recipe combines some of my favorite flavors. In fact, I'm going to make it tomorrow!
• Strawberry Shrimp Melon Salad
  Hmmm, or maybe I'll make this salad! It's a spectacular choice for a warm spring day.
• Strawberry Asparagus Green Salad
  Serve this excellent salad with grilled chicken, fish, or pork tenderloin for a fabulous meal.
• Easy Strawberry Shortcake
  This easy and classic recipe can be made with frozen pound cake, or make your own pound cake recipe.
• Fresh Strawberry Pie
  A pie made with a sweetened cream cheese filling, topped with red juicy strawberries, is one of the rites of spring.
• Homemade Frozen Strawberry Yogurt
  Make your own homemade frozen yogurt (or froyo, as we used to call it) with sweet strawberries.
• Frozen Strawberry Margarita Dessert
  Frozen strawberries are used to make this delicious and simple dessert recipe.
• Super Fast Eclairs
  Just three ingredients make this wonderfully fresh tasting dessert recipe. Put this one on your repertoire for spring and summer!
• Strawberry Melon Salad
  This simple and delicious side dish salad is perfect served for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!
• Chocolate Strawberry Trifle
  Make this spectacular dessert for your next party, then sit back and accept the compliments and raves.
• Strawberries with Chocolate Dip
  This simple recipe demands the most perfect strawberries, and a romantic occasion!
• Stir Fried Scallops with Strawberries
  This gorgeous recipe is a great one to serve to special guests. Make sure they're waiting for the dish, as it has to be served immediately.
• Peach Sorbet with Marinated Strawberries
  This four ingredient dessert is perfect for a special dinner party.
• Frosty Float
  And let's end with this wonderful sweet drink; serve it for breakfast to start your day off right.

Strawberries are one of the most perfect foods on earth. They are sweet, tart, succulent, tender, and juicy. You can use them to make drinks, sweet or spicy sauces, desserts, cakes, pies, salads, and main dishes. Because strawberries are the first fruit to ripen in the spring, they are a harbinger of the new season.

In one of my first blogs I told you about one of my favorite cook's treats: eating strawberries with a glass of milk. This phenomenon, which makes milk taste sweeter when eaten with a berry, is probably the basis for serving strawberries in cream!