Strawberry Season Forever

Strawberry season is nearly in full swing and my Strawberry Balsamic Dressing is perfect for any garden-to-plate salad you want to toss together.

Be sure to mark your calendar for your local orchard’s pick-your-own events or consider lining a flower bed with your own strawberry plants for next summer. I’ve found strawberries are easy to grow, but when harvesting the berries not many will make it back to your kitchen. 

Grab a berry recipe in these previous Berks County Living posts. 

Roasted Strawberry Rhubarb Crumb Cake 

Mixed Berry Smoothie

Summertime Berry Lemonade

Stay on top of wholesome recipes, local eats or Phoebe's food and lifestyle podcast at Phoebe's website.

Happy and healthy cooking!

Strawberry Balsamic Dressing 

Recipe by Phoebe Canakis, PhoebesPureFood.com

Yields 6 ounces

Use white balsamic, if you’d like. 

Ingredients

  • 1 cup strawberries, hulled
  • 2 Tbsp orange juice
  • 2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions 

1. Puree all of the ingredients in a blender until smooth.

2. Season with salt and pepper. The dressing will keep for one week in the refrigerator.

__________________________________

Strawberry Kale and Beet Salad

Recipe by Phoebe Canakis, PhoebesPureFood.com

Serves 6-8

Ingredients

  • 1 bunch of beets, about 4-5 beets
  • Olive oil
  • 1 bunch of kale
  • 1/2 tsp chopped, fresh garlic
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp orange zest
  • 1 1/2 cups prepared quinoa
  • 1 cup hulled and chopped strawberries
  • 1/3 cup chopped nuts
  • 1/3 cup feta, optional
  • 1/3 cup mandarin orange wedges, optional

Instructions

  1. Peel and chop the beets, toss with olive oil to lightly coat. Roast in a 400ºF oven checking every 8 minutes, until tender. Allow to cool.
  2. Remove the stems from the kale, chop into bite-sized pieces and put in a large bowl.
  3. Using the flat side of a knife or a spoon, mash the garlic with the salt to make a paste. Add 2 Tbsp of olive oil and orange zest and mix to combine; add to the kale. 
  4. Massage the kale with your hands to tenderize it to your taste. Don’t be gentle. Mix in the quinoa. 
  5. In a medium mixing bowl, toss the cooled beets with Strawberry Balsamic Dressing to coat.
  6. Top the salad with the beets, strawberries, nuts, feta and orange.