Thursday, December 4, 2008

The King of the Berries - The Strawberry

By KC Kudra

No matter what your age or where you live, there is a good chance that you have a vivid memory of perfectly ripe strawberries. Though strawberries are available at almost every time of year these days thanks to good shipping, there really is, nothing quite like a strawberry that is very fresh and perfectly ripe strait out of your own garden.

Strawberries do not need a lot of skill to grow, and the fresh taste makes it more than worth having a few pots on your patio or a plot in your garden. Fresh strawberries are delicious on their own with a little cream and sugar, or added to other recipes.

The strawberries that we recognize today are originally American, and they are a hybrid of a species from South America that had to be crossbred with a species from North America to help them survive. They were a sign of decadence and health in Europe.

Strangely enough, strawberries were considered poisonous in Argentina until the middle of the 19th century. While those plants varied greatly in shape, size, and flavor, they all bore the well-known red color and heart-shaped fruit that we all adore so much.

Eating strawberries raw is probably the most popular method of serving this fruit. You may be surprised to learn that strawberries can be added to many different dishes to add color and flavor. One easy way to prepare a strawberry dessert is to chop the berries into small chunks. Place the pieces in a bowl and cover them with water. Generously spread white sugar over the top. Add some ice cubes and set the bowl in the refrigerator to chill for a few hours. What you get in the end is a delicious icy treat that will please the most finicky palate in summer.

Some people prefer a more complex flavor, or a little more tartness to their berries. A good way to add more complexity to your strawberries is to dip them into some good balsamic vinegar and powdered sugar. The sharpness of the vinegar adds a nice contrast to the sweetness of the sugar. This makes a simple, intriguing end to a meal.

Strawberries and spinach make a great pairing. Toss a few in the next time you want to serve a spinach salad. If you combine the spinach, sliced strawberries, some red onions and caraway seeds, you will have a great salad that works well for lunch or dinner. Top it with a dressing of balsamic vinegar, rice vinegar, mustard and honey to pull it all together.

Another great spinach and strawberry combination takes tender baby spinach leaves and strawberries sliced on the diagonal and adds them to a little Gorgonzola cheese and tasty homemade croutons. Top it off with a little dollop of ranch dressing and a grind of fresh black pepper. This creates an incredible combination of crunch, sweetness, and tartness that delights the palate.

So the next time you have a few strawberries on hand, remember there is a lot this little berry can do. They are suitable to add to any meal and are sure to please, since they are so popular. - 16492

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