Strawberry fields forever

My friend and I took our little ones strawberry picking yesterday. The sun was beating down on us, I think it was the hottest day we have had yet. It was a bit of a drive and the kids were at there breaking point so we only picked until we  I couldn't take it any longer, being pregnant its hard work bending over. I think Anne noticed, she suggested several times that we just buy some :P  So in the end I got 6 pints of strawberries.I am happy :)

Now for the real mission...coming up with yummy things to make with them. The camera is still on the fritz, I am hoping to get it back in a couple of weeks. It had to be sent to the camera company. Since strawberries are in full swing here I thought I would share with you one of my favorite strawberry recipes.

 Summer strawberry cream pie! 

I really am craving a frosty strawberry milkshake at the moment but we have no vanilla ice cream kick`n around. Maybe tomorrow.....

Strawberry Shortcake

How do you know summer is on its way? STRAWBERRIES!!

They have to be local or you just can`t tell if the sunshine is on its way :P We were driving home and there was a table on the side of the road. I was so excited to see these babies that I did a skipping hop back to the car.

A simple way to enjoy fresh strawberries.

Strawberry Shortcake

For the shortcake

2 cups flour

3 tbsp sugar

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 cup shortening

1 cup soy milk

Preheat oven to 350

Mix the flour, sugar and salt together in a bowl.

Cut in the shortening with a pastry blender or two knifes.( it will look like little crumbs)

Add the milk and mix gently, with about 2 or 3 folds with you hands. (don`t over mix!)

Dump out on to a counter, pat down gently until its is about 2 inches high and 6-8 inches wide.

Cut out circle shapes. Place on a baking tray. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until done.

Hot Strawberries

3 cups of strawberries- sliced

1/4 cup of sugar

Pour into a small saucepan, heat gently. until saucy.

Assembly

cut shortcakes in half

pour hot strawberry sauce over and on top.

EASY!

Mango & Strawberry Muffins

I was at the store yesterday and mangoes were 25¢! I bought 9 of them with hopes to freeze a bunch and put them in smoothies. I also grabbed a box of strawberries, sometimes its nice to have a taste of summer in the cold winter.

When I got home I decided to make some muffins, and thought about mango muffins, but how much better would they be if I added fresh strawberries and in the middle a scoop of strawberry jam!

Mango & Strawberry Muffins

2 1/4 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp sea salt

3 mango-peeled and chopped
10 strawberries- chopped

1 cup milk
2 egg replacements
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup canola oil

strawberry jam


Preheat oven to 350
Mix dry with wet. Stir in fruit.
Scoop into greased muffin tin 1/2 way.
Place a spoonful of strawberry jam in the middle.
Top up with the rest of muffin batter
Bake for 45 minutes or until done.

Summer strawberry cream pie

I love summer...especially love the fruit it brings. There is always a special place in my stomach for strawberries :P This year I am going to take the girls to the berry farm, and pick some. Last year we went blueberry picking, we enjoyed ourselves...17 pounds later.

Its been a pretty nice June for us here in Nova Scotia, sunshine one day and fog the next :P I am at the Hubbard's Barn Farmers Market again tomorrow, selling my vegan goodies.What better to celebrate summer then fresh local strawberries!

I picked up a couple of baskets and at first I was thinking strawberry muffins, keeping in mind that the market is a morning thing,and then I thought why not make mini-pies or tarts?

I made the pie crust with vegetable shortening. The filling is similar to my coconut banana cream pie, but this time I used half almond milk, half coconut milk.  Sliced the fresh strawberries, and arranged them nicely. TA-DA! Done :)

I still have a basket of strawberries left....muffins?