Recipes for when strawberry season hits peak deliciousness (as in right now)
In California, strawberry fields really are forever.
Strawberries are as red as anything could possibly be and, when you get a good one, more fragrant, succulent and flavorful than anything you imagined nature could create by itself.
But to a native Southern Californian, strawberries are a bit like earthquakes. We don't give either much thought. (Or at least I don't.) We take the little fruit — so cute with its heart-like shape, candy-apple red, dimpled exterior and charming green toupee (even the flavor-challenged ones look like the cartoon of a strawberry) — for granted.
California grows 90% of the nation's strawberries, from as far north as Watsonville in Santa Cruz County to San Diego County. Thanks to the state's strawberry capital, Oxnard, 60 miles north of Los Angeles, we have strawberries year-round. But peak deliciousness, where juicy, bright-red strawberries taste like sun-ripened candy, is right about now through August.
Here in Los Angeles, you can't mention strawberries without hearing about Harry's Berries. These strawberries, grown on an organic farm in Oxnard since the late 1960s, run $15 for 1 1/2 pints at farmers markets and up to $20 or more at specialty grocers. TikTok videos — like a lot of TikTok videos — are made where the berry is eaten in front of the camera by a skeptical-turned-drooling content creator. The varieties they grow include Mara des Bois, smaller and more fragrant than conventional strawberries; Seascape; and Gaviotas, a variety developed by the University of California Davis that has become the gold standard if what you're looking for is a plump, red, juicy, sweet strawberry. 'What have we been eating? What are the other strawberries?' asks one content creator as he bites into a Harry's Berries strawberry.
But if the price tag scares you — or just turns you off — rest assured there is a delicious strawberry world beyond Harry's Berries.
'My personal favorite strawberry will almost always be the Albion variety from Tamai Family Farms,' says McKenna Lelah, speaking of another variety developed by UC Davis. McKenna, through her company Handpicked by McKenna, buys from farmers markets and sells and delivers to chefs around Los Angeles. 'They have a nice firm texture, and really good strawberry flavor.' McKenna explains what should be obvious but what I'd never really thought about. 'Table shoppers come to farmers markets and ask, 'What's sweet?'' But if you're doing something with the strawberries, like macerating them for strawberry shortcake or making a syrup, jam or dessert sauce, she says, 'You can always make them sweeter. You can't add more strawberry flavor.'
I grew up in San Diego County, and whenever I'm there, I make a stop at Chino Ranch, also famous for its strawberries. Like Harry's Berries, Chino Ranch also grows Mara des Bois and Gaviotas, as well as both red and white Alpine strawberries, which are about the size of a thumbnail and come with the greens and a little stem attached.
What all of these berries have in common is that when you bite into one of these little gems, they're red all the way through. They have a delicious floral aroma. And the flavor! You instantly become aware that the rest are strawberry impostors: They might be wearing that perfect little strawberry costume, but they have none of the characteristics of an authentic strawberry-flavored strawberry.
But, grown for flavor, not shelf-life, these strawberries are also delicate. They bruise easily. And by the time you put them on your counter, they're already sliding down the back side of their lives. Who among us has not come home with a pint or several of not-cheap, gorgeous candy-apple-colored strawberries only to open the fridge the next day to see them looking withered, wilted, bruised, darkened and generally just sad.
The trick to stretching their lifespan, explains McKenna, is to take them out of their basket and put them, not touching one another, on a baking sheet lined with paper towels, and then refrigerate.
Or just start your strawberry daydreaming on your way home from the market.
Strawberry shortcake is, obvi, the classic, but don't let your imagination stop there. If you're a tennis fan, you've likely seen fans at Wimbledon eating strawberries and cream, a tradition celebrating England's short, sweet strawberry season and a good way to go when you basically want to do nothing and let the flavor of the strawberries do all the work.
When your strawberries are verging on overripe, the best solution is to get them in a saucepan as quickly as possible. Cook them down with sugar and lemon juice into a dessert sauce or jam or the jammy layer to this ethereal, chocolaty Strawberry Forest Pie. Or make a batch of Spring Negronis and call it a party.
Another option when your strawberries are heading toward the compost bin is to save them for another day. Spread them out, not touching one another, on a baking sheet and put them in the freezer. When they're frozen solid, transfer them to a Ziploc bag or covered container and toss a few into smoothies, milkshakes, Strawberry Jamaica Agua Fresca or a mixed berry pie.
For all the appreciation I have for strawberries, they may be one fruit that I don't love in savory preparations, such as salad. And I'm just not sure how to feel about Strawberry-Ancho Salsa or this Strawberry-Avocado Salsa. If you're up for it, I applaud your adventurousness.
I'll stick with the sweet stuff!
Eating out this week? Sign up for Tasting Notes to get our restaurant experts' insights and off-the-cuff takes on where they're dining right now.
You can't go wrong with strawberry shortcake. I say that, and yet all strawberry shortcakes went wrong when I was growing up. I would get so excited to see the little round sponge cakes packed in plastic sold next to the strawberries in the summertime. I'd throw them, along with some flavorless berries and a can of whipped cream, into our grocery cart with so much hope and possibility. But when I got home and put them together, I was never not underwhelmed. I'm sure I'll change my mind with this version that includes macerated farmers market strawberries on just-baked cream biscuits, topped with clouds of freshly whipped cream.Get the recipe. Cooking time: 40 minutes, plus 2 to 4 hours hands-off time to macerate the berries. Serves 4.
Full disclosure: I co-authored barman Christiaan Rollich's book, 'Bar Chef,' from which this recipe originates. Of all the recipes in that book that I tested, this is the one that became part of my repertoire. I make a big batch, put it in a glass, flip top bottle and set it out for guests to serve themselves. It's always a hit. And as we Angelenos know, it's not just for springtime!Get the recipe. Cooking time: 2 hours 30 minutes. Makes 9 cocktails.
You don't see strawberries in baked goods as much as you do other fruits. This scone recipe, from Sqirl, is flexible – use strawberries, or whatever fruit you have on hand. It does require a sourdough starter (but also provides a recipe). If you don't want to go that far, ask a baking enthusiastic friend or neighbor, and return the favor with scones.Get the recipe. Cooking time: 1 hour 30 minutes. Makes 8 scones.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
34 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Curve Model Faces 'Awkward' Comment About Her Body During Flight. Why She Wasn't 'Shocked' by It (Exclusive)
Curve model Kate Kope got over 300K views on TikTok for opening up about her encounter with an older woman who commented on her body during their flight Kope, 27, recalled the woman saying that she was "not that fat" after she found out Kope classified herself as a curve model Speaking with PEOPLE exclusively, Kope reveals why she "was not shocked" by the woman's unfiltered reaction"There's nothing quite like getting humbled on your early morning @delta flight," model Kate Kope wrote when she posted a TikTok video about an awkward encounter she had with a seat neighbor on her flight to Los Angeles. In the clip, which received over 300K views as of writing, Kope — a 27-year-old curve model from Brooklyn, N.Y. — recalled that the woman made a comment on her body after finding out she was a curve model. According to Kope, who is signed on with Jag Models, a photo of her in lingerie prompted the woman to say this next. "She goes, 'Oh, don't worry, you're not that fat,'" she revealed. Following the incident, Kope tells PEOPLE she "was not shocked" by the woman's unfiltered response because she actually gets similar reactions pretty often. "I'm used to people not quite knowing what to say when I tell them I am a curve model," explains Kope, who says she is a "true 10" in size but can fluctuate from 8 to 14 on any given day. She notes that clothing samples for curve models range from a 12 to a 16. "In person, I am not at all what someone would consider as 'curvy' or 'plus-size,' so an awkward reaction often happens. I think people almost want to comfort me and let me know that I'm not fat, as if I have allowed the fashion industry to convince me otherwise for labeling me as a 'curve' model. So, I don't take their inappropriate reactions to heart." She adds: "To many people, fat equals bad and skinny equals good, so these interactions just reveal more about how people perceive thinness in society and how they look at women's bodies. Little do they know, I've done the mental work and no longer wish to strive for thinness as my life goal." Kope doesn't believe that the woman, whom she notes was older, made the comment with "malice or ill intent." "We actually had an interesting conversation about many things. Maybe I should have judged her more, but I truly let it roll off my back," she says. "I personally get more annoyed by younger people who make these comments because I expect millennials and Gen Z to be more aware." Kope describes herself as a "confident" woman, though these types of interactions only highlight her struggle to truly identify with her job title. "I shy away a lot from telling strangers I'm a model. If I just say 'model' without including 'curve' or 'plus,' I can see people immediately stare at my body and question the validity of my answer. But when I do say 'curve or 'plus', they often want to say how ridiculous it is. So, I exist in this middle ground where either answer warrants an often uncomfortable response." The conversation around plus-size modeling has grown thanks to the rise of models like Ashley Graham, Paloma Elsesser, Iskra Lawrence, Lauren Chan, Precious Lee and Hunter McGrady, all of whom have advocated for body diversity industry-wide. Although Kope, who started her modeling career a decade ago and has since worked for brands including Victoria's Secret, SKIMS, Fenty Beauty and Hollister, tells PEOPLE that she's noticed a "regression" in the number of job openings accessible to models like herself, and she sees it affecting her community. is now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more! Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "A couple years ago, curve models had more of a presence in the industry. My friends who are size 16+ would shoot campaigns, beauty and editorials. It felt like fashion was starting to explore what a size-inclusive industry could look like. But recently, there has been less and less of that happening. I've noticed brands shooting smaller and smaller curves or the models they're using are just midsize like myself. Many of my friends size 16+ are struggling to find their place in the industry again." "That is why I want to continue to talk about this on my social media," continues Kope. "Our perception of thinness cannot be so skewed by the media we are consuming. It's so unhealthy for the younger generation. I should not be the largest size they see in campaigns. I should not be the only depiction of a 'curvy' woman. Nothing has healed my perception and love of my body more than my community of plus-size models. They are confident, fashionable, funny, smart, and just the coolest people I know. If the brands right now won't highlight them, seek them out for yourselves!" Read the original article on People
Refinery29
2 hours ago
- Refinery29
‘Team Conrad' Or ‘Team Jeremiah'? Your Choice Might Reflect Your Relationship Style
The Summer I Turned Pretty has completely overtaken my TikTok feed, with countless people arguing over who the main character Isabel 'Belly' Conklin (Lola Tung) should end up with. If you haven't seen the show, the nostalgic teen drama centres around Belly and her dramatic love triangle. It's a bit complicated, because she's trying to choose between brothers: Conrad Fisher (Christopher Briney) and Jeremiah Fisher (Gavin Casalegno). They also happen to be lifelong family friends, and spend every summer together. Is it a recipe for disaster? Absolutely. But does it make for binge-worthy TV? You bet. The series, based on Jenny Han's books of the same name, has captured the attention of all age groups. Case in point: I'm a millennial who has been married for 11 years, yet I'm incredibly invested in what happens to these characters. There's something comforting about being transported back to summer, where you no longer have to worry about bills, the state of the world, or finding a place to live. However, being so removed from that part of my life where I was discovering love for the first time makes me view the show through a different lens. I started to get curious about whether my age, stage in life or what I value in relationships had anything to do with my opinion. With this in mind, I spoke to multiple experts about relationship styles, how watching relationships on TV can affect young people, and what being Team Conrad or Team Jeremiah could say about your relationship habits. If you need a quick refresher before The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3, let me give you the basics. Conrad is the eldest of the two Fisher brothers, and he's your typical broody and mysterious heartthrob. Belly had a crush on Conrad her entire life, and everybody knew it. Jeremiah has always been one of Belly's best friends, and he's much more outgoing and tends to value communication. During Season 1, Belly kissed both of the brothers before deciding to pursue a relationship with Conrad, crushing Jeremiah. In Season 2, we found out that Conrad broke Belly's heart after he withdrew when his mother was dying from cancer, and she eventually reconnected with Jeremiah. We'll see which brother Belly chooses when The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 drops on July 16. Dr Joyce Yu, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Consent Labs tells Refinery29 Australia it's important not to assume what you see on screen is 'normal or okay'. As we know, there are many unhealthy relationships that become romanticised on screen (we're looking at you, Blair Waldorf and Chuck Bass), so we should all approach TV with critical thinking. 'It's completely okay to enjoy media and TV shows, because they're often designed for escapism. But the key is being able to engage critically too: asking yourself whether what's portrayed reflects a healthy relationship in real life,' Yu says. 'One way to assess whether a relationship on screen is healthy is by assessing the power dynamics. Check whether there are elements that give someone more power. This could be their age, position in the workplace or social hierarchy, or professional role.' Yu also warns that 'respectful communication and consent' is key, and says TV shows often can portray jealousy as love. One easy way to test if a relationship you're invested in is healthy is to ask a simple question: 'If this scenario happened in real life to my friend, would I think it was healthy or problematic?' Team Conrad Psychologist Carly Dober tells Refinery29 Australia that those who are firmly in the Team Conrad camp could simply be attracted to him physically (hello, it's Christopher Briney), or that you could enjoy the 'bad boy archetype' or the 'push and pull dynamic'. 'This might mean that this kind of relationship is more of what you're looking for [or] it might mean that this feels familiar to you,' she explains. Conrad tends to be unpredictable — from leaving Belly in tears at prom to calling her a 'brat' and a 'mistake' — which feels cruel, but in the real world, can be familiar to many people. Those feelings of 'butterflies' that you can get in your stomach when you're in a relationship? They're not always a good sign. 'Unpredictability can cause anxiety, which can cause the sensation of butterflies in your stomach. This can be misattributed to excitement and novelty, whereas for most healthy and sustaining relationships, there will be clear communication and expectations, and that sensation will dissipate as you get to know and trust one another,' Dober says. Being Team Connie also doesn't necessarily mean you want this type of relationship in your own life, but perhaps you're craving something completely different from what you usually experience. TV is a great way to rot on the couch and tune out for a while, after all! '[Viewers] might just be enjoying the drama as an escape from their own lives. We often find that if people are questioned about how much they would like to be in a relationship like the one on screen, they would not want to at all,' Dober says. Team Jeremiah If you're Team Jeremiah, Dober says you may be 'attracted to stability and dependability', and he ticks the boxes for what you're looking for. 'It might mean that you admire his personal traits or how he talks to people on the show. It might mean that you're attracted to this kind of person anyway… or are interested in these traits in future partners,' Dober says. There's also a possibility you have been 'burned' in a relationship before, and recognise it's time to try something new. 'People might come to find familiarity with the volatility of some relationships. This doesn't mean that they want this or like this, it just might be the only thing that they understand. For many people, being 'burned' will encourage them to find something different,' she explains. Some viewers may root for a character demonstrating 'stability and dependability' because they're at a different stage of their life, and their priorities around long-term commitment have changed. Dober says this comes as a result of maturity and knowing "what it takes to have a sustaining and healthy relationship work". While she says the show is obviously entertainment, it can also reflect what people "are looking for in that stage of their lives, too". There are arguments for both Team Conrad and Team Jeremiah, and if you wade into fan debates online, you'll quickly realise how passionate everybody can be. Your views can be coloured by past relationships, what you're looking for in your personal life, or maybe you're just attracted to the actors playing the characters on screen. Perhaps being Team Conrad or Team Jeremiah isn't so black and white as I first thought.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Mom ignites controversial debate over her ‘insulting' birthday gift: ‘This is just ridiculous'
This mom is taking 'bring your own' to another level. Offering to help clean up at the end of a party is one thing — but bringing your own stash of cleaning supplies as a 'gift' to the party throwers is another. 'This is a kid's birthday party and the last thing I want to do to the parents of the child is to give them some present for the kids that's going to end up in landfill…,' explained a mom in a TikTok video. So what did she bring instead of an actual gift for the birthday kid? A bag full of cleaning products and supplies. '…so you know when you go to a party and everyone wants to help but nobody knows how to help because they don't know where any of the cleaning stuff is…I bring my cleaning rags… Glad Wrap, I like to bring dishwashing fluid…cleaning product — who knows how to find the cleaning products in someone else's house?' the determined mom said. This gesture could be looked at one of two ways — either it's a thoughtful idea or it's intrusive. And the commenters on TikTok were very divided on how they felt about it. 'This is so thoughtful. as a mama, I appreciate this so much,' one person expressed. 'this is pretty weird ngl,' quipped another commenter. 'this is actually a really cool idea,' another comment read. 'What the hell! Who the hell are you to bring cleaning products to a host's house! That's no present. That's insulting to the owner! No one needs your dodgy cleaning or dodgy cleaning products!' argued someone else. Talk about two contrasting views. In a follow-up video to all the controversy, the TikTok mom clarified that she doesn't give her cleaning stash as an actual gift. 'What I gave the kid was more time with their parents, so at the end of the party, the parents don't have to be cleaning up and doing stuff that will take them away from their kids,' she said, defending her decision. Unfortunately, the commenters stuck by their guns as the explanation video didn't sway their opinions. 'Tbh, family do this anyway. Personally I didn't think a child would value this. Parents might. It's not about having to spend money but choosing something a child would love,' someone argued. 'Omg everyone gets you don't give it to the child. You can do all of that and still give the child a present. Sorry, but this is just ridiculous,' another angry commenter wrote.
