Thanks to the unusually sunny weather in April and May, supermarkets across the UK are now stocked with extra-large, ripe strawberries.
If you’ve ended up with more than you can eat and want to make the most of them before they go off, experts at food box delivery service, HelloFresh have revealed four clever and creative ways to use up any leftover strawberries.
Frozen Strawberry Ice Cubes
One of the quickest and easiest ways to use up leftover strawberries this summer is to chop them up and freeze in an ice cube tray with some water. HelloFresh’s Senior Recipe Development Manager, Mimi Morley comments,
“These ice cubes are great in the summer! Add to a refreshing glass of ice tea for a sweet, berry burst. You can also add other flavours to the ice cubes to really enhance the strawberry taste. I recommend trying a few sprigs of mint and even a squeeze of lime juice.”
Savoury Strawberry Salad
Savoury might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of strawberries, but the food experts at HelloFresh say this could be a great way to use up leftover produce.
In particular, a strawberry balsamic vinaigrette is quick and easy to make at home and should last for up to 2-3 weeks if properly prepared and stored. Firstly, wash the strawberries and simmer with balsamic vinegar in a saucepan. Add honey, black pepper and a pinch of salt.
Simmer for 10-15 minutes until the strawberries have broken down into the mixture. Strain out any leftover strawberries and leave to cool before pouring into a clean jar. Enjoy drizzled over your tasty summer salads.
Sweet Strawberry Snacks
If you’re looking for a healthy snack to enjoy this summer that will be a hit with the kids, then try home made fruit roll ups! The best part is that you won’t even need a dehydrator to make these for yourself.
The experts recommend firstly washing the strawberries before blending into a smooth mixture. Add a dash of lemon juice and a squeeze of honey before spreading out onto a baking sheet and bake at 80°C for around three hours, or until the mixture is no longer sticky and can easily be peeled off the tray. Remember to line your tray with greaseproof paper to help peel off the fruity mixture.
Strawberry Chocolate Bark
The viral strawberry and chocolate bark trend is an excellent way to use up not only leftover strawberries this summer, but a whole plethora of other fruits.
The food experts suggest that strawberries pair best with dark chocolate, but milk and white chocolate also work well for this recipe.
Firstly, wash and finely dice the strawberries before spreading over a greaseproof lined tray. When it comes to melting the chocolate, break it into small pieces and place into a heatproof bowl over a pan of boiling water, but make sure the bowl isn’t touching the water. Stir until the chocolate is smooth in consistency before pouring over the strawberries. Be careful not to let the chocolate burn.
Place in the fridge for a few hours to cool before breaking up the chocolate into individual pieces and enjoy as a treat this summer!
For more recipe inspiration, please visit the HelloFresh website.
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