Three ways to enjoy fresh strawberries

Fresh strawberries produce one of the best flavors in the world. Almost universally liked, they burst with sunny optimism when you bite into them. Buying strawberries from roadside stands and farmers' markets will get you a fresher product than at the grocery store, but even those will do.

When strawberries come into season, they are usually affordably priced. Simply eating the berries out of the basket is hard to resist, so buy one just for snacking and then buy a couple more baskets so you can make tasty strawberry treats to jazz up your meals.

Strawberry maple butter recipe

The name of this strawberry recipe just makes you want to pop a slice of bread in the toaster. Strawberry maple butter is excellent on pancakes, waffles, toast, scones, and vanilla ice cream.

Recipe ingredients:

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

3 Tablespoons real maple syrup

6 large fresh strawberries, hulled and washed

2 teaspoons powdered sugar

With an electric mixer cream the butter and the maple syrup together until fluffy. In a small bowl mash the strawberries with a fork. One spoonful at a time, add the strawberry mash to the butter syrup and blend well after each addition of strawberry. Sprinkle in the powdered sugar and mix one more time.

The butter can be served immediately or refrigerated for use within one or maybe two days.

Nutty strawberry spread recipe

This spread builds on the natural vitamin C in strawberries with walnuts and wheat germ for a nutritious alternative to jam.

Recipe ingredients:

1/2 cup strawberries, hulled and washed

2 Tablespoons walnuts (about whole walnuts)

1 Tablespoon honey

1 teaspoon wheat germ

With a blender or food processor, mix all the ingredients until smooth. Use immediately or refrigerate and use within a couple days.

Strawberry topping recipe

If you are looking for ways to reduce processed sugars in your diet, use this topping instead of syrup on your pancakes. It also would be really nice on desserts like angel food cake or ice cream.

Recipe ingredients:

3/4 cup strawberries, hulled and washed

1 Tablespoon orange juice

Mash the strawberries with a fork and then stir in the orange juice. Or use a blender to accomplish this.

Add these three easy uses for fresh strawberries to your recipe collection and you will never drive by a strawberry stand again.

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