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Please allow me to introduce myself? I?m Claire and I?m your new BritMums Foodie Round-up Editor taking over from Kirsty Phillipson-Lowe who has done a sterling job. I?ve been blogging my Edible Scottish Adventures at www.foodiequine.co.uk since 2012 and I?m a mum of two currently battling through their teenage years.
Enough with the introductions. Time for the main event ? the recipes!
Can you believe that we are half way through the year already?! June means sunshine, summer holidays and the run up to Wimbledon, which in turn means Pimm?s and Strawberries! British berries are the bomb (patriotically I would say that Scottish are even better? and I?m sure Andy Murray would agree with me!) As lovely as they are served up simply with either cream or ice cream they also make a fantastic and versatile ingredient as demonstrated in the sheer variety of recipes below from some of the UK?s top food bloggers. Grab a punnet and get cooking.
Lets start with Jam. My Granny was a prolific jam maker but I?m not quite sure what she?d make of my boozy Strawberry and Prosecco Jam. Perhaps Camilla at Fab Food 4 All?s Rhubarb and Strawberry Jam would be more up her street. They are certainly two fruits that work fantastically well together. Kate at The Veg Space has taken another twist on tradition with her Fig and Strawberry Jam which she she suggests for atop of scones whilst Wimbledon watching.
Should we actually get a scorcher of a summer you?ll be needing something stashed in the freezer to cool down with. Kate at Veggie Desserts Strawberry and Matcha Popsicles would most definitely fit the bill ? she even recommends them for breakfast. The Strawberry Ice Cream from Le Coin de Mel can be made in less than 5 minutes and uses only 4 ingredients. That?s my kind of recipe! Meanwhile Jemma at Celery and Cupcakes is tempting us with a truly divine looking Chocolate Covered Strawberry Sundae.
Victoria Sponge is a British Summer classic and Emma at Free From Farmhouse has made a Vegan version with Coconut Cream decorated with summer berries. White Chocolate and Strawberries are a match made in heaven as demonstrated by A Strong Coffee with a showstopping cake to celebrate their wedding anniversary. Botanicals a plenty from Mummy Mishaps in her Lemon, Basil and Strawberry Cake which would be sure to wow Paul and Mary.
If a Strawberry Tea Party is on the cards this summer Daniela?s Strawberry & Cream Shortcakes would be perfect although I?m equally tempted by the appearance of rhubarb in Angela at Only Crumb?s Remain?s Rhubarb and Strawberry Meringue Cupcakes. When it comes to delectable desserts Strawberries really do come into their own. Elizabeth?s Kitchen Diary shows us how its done with a showstopping Chocolate Strawberry Pavlova. Choclette used a vintage jelly mold to make a wibbly wobbly Vegetarian Strawberry Blancmange whilst Hijacked by Twins shares a refreshing No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake which can be prepared ahead for effortless entertaining. Alternatively The Slimming Foodie has a Guilt Free version ? so good it practically has a halo!
Bintu at Recipes from a Pantry proves that Strawberries don?t have to be kept solely for sweet dishes with her awesome recipe for Bacon and Strawberry Flat Bread Pizza. I?m going to be so bold as to suggest my own Strawberry, Cucumber and Mint Salad with a Pimm?s Dressing to accompany it. Whilst we?re at it lets go the whole strawberry hog and wash it all down with Diana at Little Sunny Kitchen?s Strawberry and Watermelon Smoothie. Could there be anything more refreshing on a hot summers day?!
Out of all the Strawberry recipes in this roundup, the one I was most intrigued by is Oven Baked Strawberry and Rhubarb Risotto from Mandy at Sneaky Veg. This I will most definitely be trying.
See you in July for a BBQ Round-up. Drop me an email [email protected] if you have a recipe post that you?d like included.
Until then, lets go Andy, let?s go!
About Claire Jessiman
Claire Jessiman is a Scottish Freelance Foodie based in Aberdeen who has been blogging her Edible Scottish Adventures as Foodie Quine since 2012. A mum of two and wife of one, she is passionate about cooking from scratch, seasonality, food education and family-friendly recipes. She’s always keen to seek out local food specialities, markets and experiences whilst travelling in the UK and abroad and is eager to champion local Farmers, Suppliers and Producers. Addicted to social media, Claire is also partial to Cheese, Gin, Peanut Butter, Tea and Rhubarb and is permanently looking for the recipe that can successfully combine them all.