Guests and parties are a great excuse to go the extra mile to create delicious and festive foods. Here are some tips on how to use frozen strawberries to make your treats that much better.
Why Use Frozen Strawberries?
California strawberries are available year-round, but there is still a peak strawberry season when strawberries are most abundant. Freezing them is a great way to preserve strawberries throughout the year. Strawberries are sweet, delicious, and packed with vitamin C and other essential nutrients, making them a healthy addition to any dish — even desserts. Freezing strawberries may preserve their nutritional benefits for months.
How to Use Frozen Strawberries
Frozen strawberries are a great way to keep wholesome, delicious strawberries on hand whenever you need them. A slight drawback to using frozen strawberries in a recipe is that freezing them slightly alters the texture and structure of the strawberry. This is only a challenge if using strawberries whole and as a decorative element. However, any recipe where you dice, puree, or bake the strawberries will not be affected by freezing the berries first. This gives frozen strawberries a great deal of flexibility in the kitchen. Here are five ways to use frozen strawberries to make a memorable dish.
Strawberry Jams and Fillings
Strawberry Heart Hand Pies are a fantastic treat for the valentine’s day holiday. The flaky, golden crusts and strawberry jam filling can please nearly any palate. Using frozen strawberries to make the filling gives you as vibrant and flavorful a jam as fresh strawberries. It makes it easy to have delicious strawberries on hand when you need them — especially if you use this recipe for other holidays. For example, by simply cutting the crusts into other shapes instead of hearts is all it takes to turn this Valentine’s day favorite into something suitable for any ocassion.
Strawberry Sauces
Jam made with frozen strawberries is excellent as a topping and filling. A Strawberry Meringue Holiday Wreath is a great way to use frozen strawberries as a decorative and flavorful topping. Dicing the frozen strawberries rather than pureeing them gives an extra element of visual appeal and texture to the sauce.
While French Toast with Strawberry Compote may not be a strictly holiday breakfast, what better excuse is there to go the extra mile than guests? The compote can easily be given a flair by adding allspice, clove, and ginger to the recipe.
Strawberry Beverages
Breakfast and dessert are covered, but what about drinks? A Spiced Strawberry Sangria might be just what your party needs. Frozen strawberries are particularly well suited to this recipe since the changes to their texture helps release their flavor into the punch.
Red, White, and Blue Frozen Cocktails are an excellent choice for a Fourth of July barbecue. Frozen strawberries are a perfect inclusion in this drink. Frozen fruit serves the same role as ice. Try replacing some of that ice with more frozen strawberries if you want to increase the strawberry flavor.
Strawberry Color and Flavor
Another great way to get a little strawberry flavor in is with a Winter Strawberry Cake. Frozen strawberries give this recipe a wonderful pink color and strawberry flavor. The leftover strawberry puree can be used in other recipes or frozen for later.
Strawberry Twists on Classic Dishes
The versatility of frozen strawberries gives you a great way to put an exciting twist on classics. Strawberry rolls are a sweet and sticky treat that provide an exciting and memorable twist on the cinnamon and orange rolls that are holiday favorites for many people.
Try Our Fun Recipes Today
Strawberries are a delicious and healthy fruit that can elevate your party and bring cheer to your family and friends all year round. You can find recipes for these tasty treats and more at California Strawberries.
