Smoothies
Smoothies are a great way to turn overripe strawberries into a delicious and healthy snack. Thanks to their sweetness and tartness, they blend nicely into smoothies and make them irresistible. Plus, they are a great source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Let’s explore further what you can do with overripe strawberries and how to make a smoothie using them.
Basic Smoothie Recipe
A smoothie is a chilled beverage made from fresh fruits and other ingredients, such as milk and yogurt. When combined, these ingredients create a thick, creamy texture that can be enjoyed any time of day. There is no exact science to preparing smoothies; you can mix and match fruits, juices and yogurts to create your own unique concoction! Here’s a basic recipe to get you started:
Ingredients:
-1 cup of frozen or fresh fruit (chopped/mashed if necessary)
-1 cup of liquid (milk, juice or yogurt)
-1–2 tablespoons of honey or other sweetener
-Optional extras: Protein powder for extra energy; nut butter for texture; chia/flaxseeds for extra fibre; crushed ice or frozen banana slices for thickness.
Instructions: Place all ingredients into the blender and blend until smooth. Serve immediately in a tall glass. If desired, add extra flavours such as cinnamon or vanilla extract at the end. Enjoy!
Smoothie Variations
Smoothies are a great way to use overripe strawberries and make enjoyable, nutritious drinks. With just a few ingredients and a blender, you can mix up delicious smoothies to suit anyone’s taste.
You can start with the basic ingredients for smoothies: strawberries (overripe or fresh), Greek yogurt or your favorite type of milk, ice, and honey for sweetness. Once you have these main ingredients, you can begin experimenting with different flavor combinations.
For strawberry-pineapple smoothies, blend together the basic ingredients along with pineapple slices and banana chunks for a tropical taste. If you are in the mood for something more exotic try adding ripe mangoes or peaches to the mix. You could even create an after-dinner drink by blending frozen strawberries with Kahlua liqueur, graham crackers, cocoa nibs and mascarpone cheese for a tasty dessert masterpiece!
If you depend on your morning glass of orange juice, try mixing it into your smoothie creations—add one cup of orange juice to any of the above combinations. Or substitute almond milk instead of regular milk and add flavored syrups to create unique flavors like almond-amaretto!
The possibilities are endless with smoothies—you can substitute any berry or fruit that is overly ripe for an especially flavorful treat! Don’t forget about adding other healthy foods like wheat germ or flax seed meal for added nutrition every time you blend a smoothie. Experimenting in your kitchen is sure to bring life back into boring breakfast or snack routines!
Baking
Baking is one of the best and most delicious ways to use overripe strawberries. You can make a variety of treats with them, including pies, tarts, smoothies, muffins, cakes, and so much more. There are endless possibilities for recipes that you can create with overripe strawberries. Let’s take a look at some of the most delicious recipes and ideas to use your overripe strawberries.
Strawberry Pie
Strawberry Pie is a classic treat that makes a great summer dessert. For the perfect strawberry pie, you’ll need fresh, juicy strawberries and a flaky, buttery crust. Preparing the filling is simple – just combine sliced strawberries with sugar and cornstarch, then let it sit to thicken. The crust should be equally simple: a combination of butter, flour and salt should do the trick!
When it’s time to assemble the pie, you’ll need to roll out your crust and gently fit it in to a shallow pie dish or springform pan. Then add your strawberry-filled mixture into the center of the pan – make sure not to overfill! Cut off any excess dough around the edges of your pan and crimp or flute all around. Finish off the top with decorative vents then brush with an egg wash before baking in a preheated oven at 375°F for about 1 hour.
Once baked, allow your pie to cool before cutting into wedges and serving – it’s best served warm with scoops of vanilla ice cream! Whether you use fresh-picked berries from your local farmer’s market or store-bought strawberries for convenience, making this Strawberry Pie will satisfy all who try it – enjoy!
Strawberry Muffins
Strawberry muffins provide a tasty way to use overripe strawberries before they go to waste. When selecting your ingredients, it’s important to note that the type of flour used can make a difference in your final product. For light and fluffy muffins, white flour can be used. For heartier, more complex muffins you may prefer a mix of flours such as whole wheat pastry flour and unbleached pastry flour.
To make your strawberry muffins, start by preheating your oven and greasing or lining your baking pans with paper cups. If you are having trouble deciding on how much batter to put into each cup, fill each one up half way for medium-sized muffins or three-quarters full for larger ones. Measure out the remaining ingredients – sugar, butter, eggs etc – and cream them together in a large bowl until they are well blended. In another bowl combine the dry ingredients – flour, soda and salt – until mixed well. Gradually add the liquid ingredients to the creamed mixture while stirring gently with a spoon or spatula until everything is blended together thoroughly but don’t over mix!
Finally add in the overripe strawberries along with enough additional sugar (if desired) until everything is evenly distributed throughout the batter. Carefully fill each muffin cup up with evenly-sized scoops from this mixture until filled to desired level (about 2/3 full). Bake at 350F (175C) for 15-20 minutes depending on size of muffin tins used; skewers inserted into center should come out clean if they are done baking properly. Enjoy when cool!
Strawberry Jam
Strawberry jam is one of the easiest recipes you can make with overripe strawberries. All you need is fresh strawberries, sugar, a lemon and some time. Start by washing and hulling the berries and then mashing them in a bowl until you get a jam-like consistency. If you prefer your jam extra chunky, leave some of the whole berries in tact. In another bowl, combine the sugar and crushed strawberries until they dissolve. Then add your lemon juice (just enough to balance out the sweetness) before cooking on medium heat for 8-10 minutes or until thickened. Once cooled, store your homemade strawberry jam in a sterilized jar for up to one month.
Drinks
Overripe strawberries can be a great way to make delicious drinks that you can enjoy all summer long. Whether you want to make a delicious strawberry smoothie or a more sophisticated strawberry cocktail, there are many ways to enjoy overripe strawberries in a drink. Let’s explore the different drinks you can make with these sweet and tart fruits.
Strawberry Lemonade
Strawberry Lemonade is a deliciously sweet and tart drink that can be made with just a few ingredients. The natural sweetness of overripe strawberries combines perfectly with the tangy lemon juice to make an incredibly refreshing beverage for any occasion. It’s also incredibly easy to make at home – making it perfect for summer parties or movie nights. To make Strawberry Lemonade, you will need the following:
-2 cups of fresh or frozen strawberries (sliced)
-2 cups of water
-1/2 cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice
-1/4 cup of white granulated sugar (or substitute honey as sweetener)
In a saucepan, combine the sliced strawberries, water and sugar. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Reduce the heat and let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes or until it starts to thicken slightly. After which, strain through a fine mesh sieve into a large jug or bowl and discard solids left in strainer. Make sure to press down on solids with back of spoon as you’re straining, to extract all strawberry juices from mixture.
Add in freshly squeezed lemon juice and mix well. Serve cold over lots of ice cubes in tall glasses, garnished with extra strawberry wedges if desired! Enjoy!
Strawberry Margaritas
Strawberry Margaritas are a classic Mexican cocktail that combine the tart and tangy flavor of tequila with the sweetness of strawberries and freshly squeezed lime juice. The perfect balance between these flavors makes it a timeless, refreshing summer drink. Few drinks say “summer” quite like this delicious margarita!
To make a strawberry margarita, you’ll need to combine equal parts tequila, fresh lime juice and triple sec or Cointreau in a blender. Add ice and blend until it reaches desired consistency. For an extra fruity flavor, blend in some fresh or frozen strawberries. Serve over ice in salt-rimmed glasses with additional fresh sliced limes or strawberries to garnish.
If you prefer your strawberry margaritas on the sweeter side, try adding more triple sec or Cointreau to your recipe. You can also add simple syrup (equal parts sugar dissolved in boiling water) as an additional sweetener if desired. This specialty drink can also be served frozen – just add additional ice to give it that signature slushy texture!
Whether you’re slinging margaritas for a crowd or sipping on one yourself, this delightful combination of strawberries and tequila is sure to be hit of the party! Just don’t forget your favorite chips & dip for pairing – this sweet-tart treat is even better when enjoyed with a salty side-dish snack.
Other Uses
Overripe strawberries are perfect for cooking and baking because their high sugar content makes them particularly sweet and juicy. You can use them to make a delicious jam, cakes, pancakes, muffins, ice cream or even smoothies. You can also freeze them to enjoy throughout the year. Let’s take a look at some more creative ways to use overripe strawberries.
Strawberry Syrups
Strawberry syrups are a great way to use overripe strawberries and extend their flavor. You don’t have to be a master chef to make strawberry syrup as it just takes some simple ingredients, some stirring and simmering time.
Homemade strawberry syrups can be used in an array of yummy concoctions – like making your own Italian soda, adding it to iced tea for a hint of sweetened fruit flavoring, mixed into desserts such as ice cream parfaits or sprinkled over pancakes or waffles for breakfast. The sky’s the limit!
To make your own strawberry syrup, all you need is fresh strawberries (over ripe is perfect!), sugar, water, and lemon juice. Begin by cleaning your strawberries before hulling them – leaving the tops on creates more deliciousness during the cooking process! In a medium saucepan combine equal amounts of sugar (about 1 cup) and water (about 1 cup). Heat on low heat until just before boiling (small bubbles will form around the edges). Add in 2 cups of hulled overripe strawberries and stir occasionally until everything has melted together (about 10-15 minutes). These ingredients should create a syrup that you can pour into sterilized jars1. Add in a tsp of lemon juice if desired for extra tartness. Enjoy!
Infused Waters
Infused waters are becoming increasingly popular as a healthy, flavorful alternative to plain bottled or tap water. Overripe strawberries can be a great addition to infused waters; the natural sugars present within the fruit help to bring out the fruity flavors. All you need is clean, filtered water and some overripe strawberries to get started.
To create your own strawberry-infused water, start by cleaning around a cup of overripe strawberries, then hull and slice them into bite-sized pieces. Place them into a glass jar or pitcher and pour in 2-3 cups of cool filtered water. Give it a stir to make sure all the pieces are evenly distributed in the water and let it sit overnight at room temperature. This will allow all the flavors from the berries to be drawn out into the water — feel free to experiment with different amounts of time depending on how strong you’d like it!
In addition to just drinking your strawberry-infused water on its own, try using it in place of regular water when cooking rice or vegetables for an extra boost of fruity flavor. You could also use it as a base for smoothies or cocktails or even sweeten some yogurt by adding a few tablespoons! The possibilities are endless — enjoy experimenting and discovering new ways to use this delicious drink!
Strawberry Ice Cream
Making strawberry ice cream is a delicious and easy way to use overripe strawberries. Start by washing and hulling the berries. Place the berries in a blender or food processor, adding a quarter cup of simple syrup made from 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of water for every 2 cups of strawberries. Blend until smooth, then chill in your refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours.
Once the berries have chilled, you can make your ice cream using an electric or manual ice cream maker according to manufacturer’s instructions. Add the cooled strawberry puree to the mix and allow it to churn until done. If you are concerned about texture, strain out any large pieces before adding the mixture to your machine. Enjoy your homemade strawberry ice cream or pack it up in an airtight container and store in your freezer for later use.
