National Strawberries and Cream Day

The simple combination of fresh sliced strawberries and homemade whipped cream has been a popular dish for centuries.

In medieval England it was customary for newlyweds to enjoy strawberries and soured cream for their wedding breakfast.

The strawberry is the first fruit to ripen every spring and each refreshing bite contains high levels of Vitamin C, fiber, folic acid and potassium.

If you’re feeling experimental, there are many interesting variations on the classic strawberries and cream recipe. Try flavoring your whipped cream with amaretto liqueur or substituting a combination of fat-free sour cream and brown sugar instead.

For a more elaborate dessert, put together a trifle with alternating layers of fruit, cream, and a sweet pastry such as ladyfinger cookies.

For more ideas, try these recipes for stuffed strawberries:

* Cheesecake stuffed strawberries: You will need about 500g of large strawberries, about 220g softened cream cheese, 4 tbsp powdered sugar, 1 tsp vanilla extract and cracker crumbs. Start by rinsing your strawberries and cutting around the top. Remove and clean out using a paring knife. Next you will want to beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla in a mixing bowl until creamy. Place in a piping bag and fill your hollowed berries with the mixture. Dip the tops in cracker crumbs and refrigerate until serving.

* Pecan and cream cheese stuffed strawberries: The same strawberry recipe as above except instead of crackers, sprinkle chopped pecans over your filled strawberries. You can also substitute almond extract for the vanilla.

* Ricotta stuffed strawberries: Serves four. You will need 8 large strawberries, about 50g softened low-fat cream cheese, 1 tsp sugar, about 20g finely chopped bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, and 2 tbsp chopped candied orange zest. Prepare your strawberries and then combine your cream cheese and sugar in a small bowl. Stir in the chocolate and orange zest. Divide your mixture between the hollows in the strawberries, and either serve or refrigerate, covered, up to one hour.

* Honey and pistachio stuffed strawberries: Ingredients for this dish are 36 fresh strawberries, about 220g Mascarpone cheese, 3 tbsp Disaronno (an amaretto-flavored liquer) or something similar, 1 tbsp honey, and 2 tbsp shelled and minced pistachio nuts. Prep strawberries to start. Next gently mix together the mascarpone cheese, Disaronno and honey. Pipe through a pastry bag into your strawberry, sprinkle with chopped nuts, and garnish with a small mint leaf if desired.

To celebrate National Strawberries and Cream Day, head to a local farm and pick your own fresh strawberries as a fun spring activity for the whole family. Then enjoy the fruits of your labor with a delicious snack of strawberries and cream at home.

Source: www.punchbowl.com