Podcast 61: Summer Strawberries

by The Meal Makeover Moms on June 23rd, 2009

chocolate-dipped-strawberriesThis may be the rainiest June on record here in Massachusetts but that hasn’t stopped us from feasting on the summer’s best strawberries or dishing about this super-nutritious fruit on this week’s Cooking with the Moms podcast.

Strawberries are an excellent source of vitamin C and manganese, a mineral with lots of important functions including the formation of normal bones (who knew?).   The United States is the leading producer of strawberries worldwide.  California produces the most, and if  all the strawberries produced there this year were laid berry to berry, they’d wrap around the world 15 times!

Whether you pick your own, buy them at the farmer’s market, or grab a carton at your local supermarket, there are endless ways to enjoy summer strawberries. One of our kids’ favorites is Strawberry Shortcake on a Bun.  This playful recipe gets a definite thumbs up from kids.  We also just created a brand new recipe for Chocolate-Dipped Strawberry Buffet.  The way we see it with this recipe is that if a little bit of chocolate makes a whole bunch of strawberries extra appealing to kids, go for it.

Chocolate-Dipped Strawberry Buffet
Makes 5 Servings

  • One 16-ounce carton fresh strawberries
  • 1/2 cup semisweet mini or regular chocolate chips
  • 1/8 to 1/4 cup pecans, finely chopped
  • 2 to 3 Graham cracker squares, crushed
  • 2 tablespoons shredded coconut

1. Wash the berries under cold water and dry well with paper towels. Set aside.

2. Place the chocolate chips in a medium-sized microwave-safe bowl and microwave on high for 30 seconds. Stir well and repeat 2 to 3 more times, just until the chips are melted. Do not overheat.

3. Place the pecans, crushed Graham crackers, and coconut in individual bowls.  Let each family member dip their own strawberries in the chocolate and then in any or all of the buffet offerings.

dipped-strawberry-buffet

Nutrition Information per Serving: 160 calories, 10g fat (4.5g saturated, 4g monounsaturated), 20mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate, 4g fiber, 2g protein, 90% vitamin C

If you have a favorite strawberry recipe you’d like to share, feel free to post a comment.

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2 Comments | Filed Under Desserts, Fruits, Podcast, Snacks 

2 Responses to “Podcast 61: Summer Strawberries”

  1. Jane on June 24th, 2009

    What a great dessert idea for summer. So easy and yummy, plus my kids love to assemble and customize their own little treats.

  2. MamaBearJune on June 29th, 2009

    Dip in melted white chocolate (Dove, of course) then in blue sugar for an awesome July 4th treat!

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