Patch Recipes: Satisfaction with Strawberries

There are two days this week to celebrate strawberries. Monday (May 20) is Pick Strawberries Day and Tuesday (May 21) is National Strawberries and Cream Day. It's a little early for the traditional strawberry season in Massachusetts, but with the miracles of modern technology, we are able to find strawberries throughout the year. So, you can try these strawberry-themed recipes whenever you want.

Strawberry Shortcake

(from Windsor Patch)

Ingredients

Biscuits

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 4 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into cubes
• 3/4 cups light cream
• 1 egg, slightly beaten
• 1 tsp. vanilla

Filling

• About 4 cups sliced fresh strawberries mixed with 3-4 tablespoons sugar. Let sit in the refrigerator for a few hours to become juicy.

Real whipped cream

• 1 pint whipping cream
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 tsp. real vanilla extract

Directions

In the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade, combine the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt. Add the butter and pulse/process until the butter is completely incorporated into the flour mixture. Transfer the flour mixture from the food processor to a mixing bowl. Stir in the cream, egg and vanilla. Mix with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon until combined, but don’t over mix.

Divide the dough into six portions and plop them on a cookie sheet fitted with a piece of parchment paper. Bake in a preheated 375-degree oven for 16 minutes. Transfer immediately to a wire rack.

For each serving, take one biscuit and cut in half. On top of one half with the cut side facing up, smother with about a half-cup of strawberries and juice. Add the other half of the biscuit as the top and add a few more strawberries. Top with a big dollop of whipped cream.

Cheesecake-Stuffed Strawberries

(from Upper St. Clair Patch)

Ingredients

• 1 lb. large strawberries
• 8 oz. cream cheese, softened (can use 1/3 less fat)
• 3-4 tbsp. powdered sugar (4 tbsp. for a sweeter filling)
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• graham cracker crumbs

Directions

Rinse strawberries and cut around the top of the strawberry. Remove the top and clean out with a paring knife, if necessary. Prep all strawberries and set aside. In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla until creamy. Add cream cheese mix to a piping or plastic bag with the corner snipped off. Fill strawberries with cheesecake mixture. Once strawberries are filled, dip the top in graham cracker crumbs. If not serving immediately, refrigerate until serving.

Strawberry Margarita

(from Agoura Hills Patch)

Ingredients

• 2 cups ice, crushed
• 1/2 cup strawberry puree (frozen can or fresh strawberries, pureed)
• 1 cup tequila of your choosing
• 2 limes, juiced
• Splash Triple Sec

Directions

Add ice, strawberry purée, tequila, lime juice and Triple Sec to a blender. Purée the entire mix until smooth. Pour evenly into glasses. Garnish the margarita with lime or a strawberry slice on top. Serve immediately.