Strawberry Szn.

Strawberry Szn

Last Friday on Substack, I lamented an abundance of strawberries. Lament is probably the wrong term: I love strawberries and was happy to have so many! But I’d bought a giant container and then I received two small containers in my CSA… and then my mom and my niece brought over a bunch more! I was worried they’d go bad. I asked for recipe suggestions and my-oh-my, the comments section was incredible.

Summer Strawberry Cake

The most recommended recipe far and away was for Smitten Kitchen’s Summer Strawberry Cake. When a recipe is thirteen years old and still getting recommended (with such gusto!), you know it has to be great. This proved to be extremely easy, with no hard to find ingredients. (I had everything I needed in my pantry). I served it with homemade whipped cream and sliced fresh strawberries and got rave reviews. It is truly so good. The only thing I would have done differently is make it the morning of vs. the night before so that I could serve it while it was still sort of warm and a little bit gooey.

infused tequila

With the rest of the strawberries, I decided to make infused tequila! This is so easy. Just fill a jar (I used these exact jars) three quarters of the way with strawberries and then fill to the top with tequila. (This also helped me get rid of some of the alcohol I have leftover from my Halloween party – added bonus!). Store in a cool, dark place for a week or so and then enjoy. Perfect for gift giving but also margaritas and/or flavored ranch water!

There were even more ideas in the comments section of that post. Here are a few highlights.

• I really want to make these pickled strawberries. Sounds so yummy and right up my alley, (especially served with soft cheese and baguette)! I would have but we ate the rest of my berries with the cake.
• Claire Saffitz also has a strawberry cake that came highly recommended.
• Emiko Davies’ strawberry tiramisu.
• Martha Stewart’s strawberry shortcake cookies.
• Any-berry shrub! I got really into making shrub cocktails last year… they are delicious.