FL 7 Reasons to Use Strawberries in Your Recipes

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Strawberries are undoubtedly one of the most popular (and delicious) fruits on the planet. Many people love eating strawberries or consuming foods and drinks that have them as an ingredient. They are also a versatile fruit that anyone can grow almost anywhere!

You may be reading this because you enjoy cooking, have a love for strawberries, and are wondering whether to use strawberries in your recipes more often. Did you know there are many health benefits and reasons to go crazy with strawberries in your recipes?

What’s more, you can enjoy strawberries at any time - not just for Valentine’s Day (when they sell like crazy) or in the summer. Take a look at the following reasons why you need more strawberry foods and drinks in your life:

1. They Remind You of Summer

Some people assume that strawberries are only a summer fruit. Indeed, that might even remind you of the warmer months of the year. But did you know that you can use and even grow strawberries at any time of the year?

When done right, strawberries can be grown even in the middle of winter. If you enjoy growing fruit and vegetables at home, you can easily grow strawberries throughout the year.

2. They Make a Great Cake Filling

If you’re looking for new ideas for homemade cakes, have you ever thought of using a homemade strawberry filling? The recipe to create strawberry fillings is very easy, plus you’ll find it tastes more authentic than store-bought strawberry fillings.

You could create a strawberry sponge cake, for example, topped with delicious whipped cream or icing. Another idea might be to make a multi-layered cake with strawberries in one layer, blueberries in another; the ideas are limitless!

3. Strawberries Are Good for You

Most people will agree that strawberries are delicious, but they will also agree with how the fruit is good for you. Strawberries have an array of health benefits; for example, they are a source of antioxidants, and they help boost your immune system

Strawberries are also low in calories, natural sugars, and they’re abundant in Vitamin C. They’re so valuable to human health that people should eat strawberries more often.

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4. They Are a Versatile Ingredient

You already know that strawberries make an excellent cake filling. What you may not know is just how versatile an ingredient strawberries can be to your kitchen. For example, you can blend strawberries to create strawberry smoothies or milkshakes.

Another idea is to add some fresh strawberries to your breakfast cereal each morning, or you could take some to work with you to eat as a mid-morning snack.

5. You Don’t Need to Eat Them With Much Else

It’s no secret that strawberries make an excellent addition to many recipes, from starters and snacks to cakes and ice creams. But, you can also enjoy eating strawberries with little else. For instance, you could coat them in a layer of cream as a fun summertime snack.

You might also wish to enjoy strawberries on a platter with other fruit as a healthy in-between meal.

6. They’re a Good Substitute for Chocolate

Have you ever noticed how many delicious snacks, cakes, ice creams, and other recipes call for chocolate as the main ingredient? There’s no denying that chocolate is something enjoyed by most people, but it does have some downsides.

Chocolate has a high calorific value, and while it may release endorphins to make you feel fabulous, it won’t do your diet plans any favors. Another fact about chocolate is that it often contains a lot of sugar.

If you want to substitute chocolate for something healthier in your snacks and desserts, it makes sense to consider strawberries. That’s because they are healthier for you, and it’s possible to pack lots of strawberries into any recipe and it still have significantly low calories.

7. You Can Freeze Strawberries for Future Recipes

Many people prefer to use fresh or homegrown ingredients when creating dishes or crafting desserts for their families and friends. If you choose to use fresh strawberries grown in your garden, you might wonder what to do with your abundance of them.

The good news is that you can freeze strawberries and use them for any future recipes. If you have a lot of space available in your freezer, you can always freeze any leftover strawberries.

It’s worth keeping in mind that you should wash your strawberries and place them in a single layer on a baking tray that you put in the freezer. After a couple of hours, you can transfer them into a freezer bag and store them that way, so they don’t all stick together.