strawberries

Are strawberries your favorite berry? They are for many, even though botanically speaking this popular fruit is not a berry (it’s actually a member of the rose family). No matter where the strawberry falls, it’s at its peak this time of year. Herald the summer months with these bright, fresh, and fruit-filled recipes.

enjoy the berry best!

Wilted Spinach Salad with Strawberries, Goat Cheese, and Almonds

35 min

prep time serves 4

From The Complete Salad Cookbook by America’s Test Kitchen ($32.99, America’s Test Kitchen, 2021)

1K oz goat cheese or feta, crumbled (L c) N c extra-virgin olive oil 1 (3-inch) strip grapefruit zest plus 1K Tbsp juice 1 shallot, minced 2 tsp sugar 10 oz curly-leaf spinach, stemmed and torn into bitesize pieces 6 strawberries, hulled and sliced N-inchthick N c sliced almonds or chopped hazelnuts, toasted 1. Place goat cheese on a plate and freeze until slightly firm, about 15 minutes.

2. Heat oil, grapefruit zest, shallot, and sugar in a Dutch oven over medium-low heat until shallot is softened, about 5 minutes. Off heat, discard zest, stir in grapefruit juice, and add spinach. Cover, allowing spinach to steam until just beginning to wilt, about 30 seconds. 3. Transfer spinach mixture to a large bowl. Add strawberries, almonds, and goat cheese. Toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve.

Per serving: 261 Calories, 7 g Protein, 13 g Carbohydrates, 7 g Total sugars (2 g Added sugars), 4 g Fiber, 21 g Total fat (4 g sat), 127 mg Sodium, HHHHH Vitamin K, HHHH Vitamin A, C, HHH Vitamin E, Folate, HH Vitamin B2 (riboflavin), B6, Magnesium, H Calcium, Iron, Phosphorus, Potassium

Kitchen Note: Tender flat-leaf and baby spinach varieties become soft and mushy when tossed with a warm dressing, but heartier curly-leaf spinach stands up to the heat and becomes deliciously tender. Freshness is added by swapping out the sharp vinegar of many wilted spinach salad recipes for fresh grapefruit juice. The goat cheese is briefly frozen to prevent it from melting in the dressing’s heat. If you can, use a red grapefruit for this salad.

Strawberry Gazpacho

From Wild Recipes by Emma Sawko ($35, Flammarion, 2020)

6 large very ripe tomatoes, washed and cut into chunks 1 large red bell pepper, washed, seeded, and cut into chunks

K cucumber, washed and cut into chunks

K fennel bulb, washed and chopped 1 small celery stalk, washed and chopped 1 small red onion, peeled and finely chopped 1 garlic clove, peeled and finely chopped Small sprig fresh thyme, washed 1 pinch chili powder 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar 6 strawberries, washed and chopped Salt

To serve:

A few basil leaves, washed A few strawberries, washed Edible flowers, washed, optional

1. In a high-speed blender or food processor, process vegetables, garlic, thyme, chili powder, vinegar, and strawberries together until smooth, adding a little water if necessary, as soup should not be too thick. Season with salt.

2. Serve in individual bowls topped with basil leaves, strawberries, and edible flowers, if using.

Per serving: 81 Calories, 3 g Protein, 18 g Carbohydrates, 10 g Total sugars (0 g Added sugars), 5 g Fiber, 1 g Total fat (0 g sat), 329 mg Sodium, HHHHH Vitamin C, HHH Vitamin K, HH Vitamin B6, H Vitamin A, B1 (thiamine), B3 (niacin), E, Folate, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium

20 min

prep time serves 4

25 min

prep time makes ¾ cup

Three-Ingredient Strawberry Jam

From Half the Sugar All the Love by Jennifer Tyler Lee and Anisha Patel, MD, MSPH ($22.95, Workman Publishing, 2019)

9 oz strawberries, hulled and sliced (about 1K c)

N c unsweetened applesauce 1 Tbsp sugar 1. Stir together strawberries, applesauce, and sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, 1 minute. 2. Reduce heat to medium and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until most of strawberries break down and mixture thickens, 13 to 15 minutes.

3. Transfer jam to a heatproof airtight container and let cool completely. Kitchen Note: This small-batch strawberry jam comes together quickly and contains very little added sugar. A bit of unsweetened applesauce adds natural sweetness and helps bind the cooked strawberries together into a slightly chunky yet spreadable jam. The jam will keep in a jar or airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Per serving (serves 4): 36 Calories, 0 g Protein, 9 g Carbohydrates, 7 g Total sugars (3 g Added sugars), 1 g Fiber, 0 g Total fat (0 g sat), 1 mg Sodium, HHHH Vitamin C

20 min

prep time serves 1

Strawberry-Almond Overnight Refrigerator Oats

From the Taste for Life test kitchen

K c your favorite milk

K c rolled oats (not instant)

K c sliced fresh strawberries

1 Tbsp strawberry jam K tsp vanilla extract 1 Tbsp sliced almonds

1. Mix all ingredients together in a glass mason jar or a glass dish. 2. Cover jar or dish with a lid, place in the fridge, and let sit overnight. 3. The next morning before serving, stir and enjoy.

Per serving (when made with low-fat milk): 338 Calories, 12 g Protein, 55 g Carbohydrates, 21 g Total sugars (10 g Added sugars), 7 g Fiber, 9 g Total fat (2 g sat), 62 mg Sodium, HHHHH Vitamin C, Phosphorus, HHH Vitamin B2 (riboflavin), Magnesium, HH Vitamin B1 (thiamine), B12, Calcium, H Vitamin B6, D, E, Folate, Iron, Potassium

Terry Naturally Astaxanthin with CoQ10

Powerful support for heart health, healthy brain function, and healthy aging.* This unique combination contains astaxanthin carotene for longevity and cognitive function, plus CoQ10 for heart health and energy production inside cells.* Together they combine to support overall optimal health,* in an ultra absorption chewable tablet.

Solgar Stress & Anxiety Relief

This formula helps your body better manage the disruptive symptoms of occasional emotional stress.* It combines two powerful, clinically-studied ingredients KSM-66 Ashwagandha and Affron Saffron to bring you natural stress relief.* This blend helps support a healthy cortisol response and helps maintain a positive mood.*

Badger Sport Mineral Sunscreen Cream SPF 40

Nourish and protect your skin with this mineral sunscreen cream, ideal for long days in water and sun. The antioxidant-rich, waterless formula with vitamin E leaves skin moisturized and protected. Made with just four simple ingredients, it is Reef-Friendly Certified to protect land and sea.

Biosolis Sun Milk SPF 30

Organic certified sun protection for the whole family. With an aloe vera base + zinc oxide, this Sun Milk provides high natural protection against UVA/UVB rays. Unscented. Formulated for face and body, for all skin types. Ancient Nutrition SBO Probiotics Gummies

These great tasting Berry flavored gummies supply tough, resilient, soilbased organism probiotics to support healthy immune response and digestion.* These probiotics support healthy gut function and help reduce occasional constipation, gas, and bloating.* No refrigeration needed.

BioClarity Sunshady SPF 30

This plant-based non-nano, mineral zinc oxide sunscreen, is what your body’s been craving. Safeguard your skin against harmful UV rays, blue light, and environmental pollutants. Contains sugarcane squalene for hydration, antioxidants for protection against free radical damage, plus chamomile to calm and soothe skin.

As the weather heats up, be sure you are drinking plenty of water, especially while outdoors. To jazz up plain water, try infused water for flavorful refreshment.

Raspberry Mint Infused Water

Ingredients:

Handful of mint leaves 1 cup raspberries, whole

Water

Ice

Instructions:

Muddle/crush mint at bottom of pitcher. Add remaining ingredients and let it set in fridge for 1 hour to soak in flavor. Serve with ice.

Recipe courtesy: shapeyourfutureok.com/