Strawberry season

"Use them while they're ripe", they said. So I did! What follows are super easy strawberry recipes, perfect for your brunches, lunches, dinner or in between.

Roasted Strawberry-Merlot Sauce (serve on ice cream or your favorite gluten free cake)

Ingredients:

1 lb./350 grams strawberries, halved

1/3 c. Merlot (you can use other types of red wine, just make sure to chose quality wine)

3 tbsp. maple syrup

salt

1/2 tsp. grated fresh ginger

2 tbsp. Chopped fresh mint

How to:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F/180 C and lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish. Combine strawberries, wine, syrup, and a pinch of salt in the dish and cook in oven until juices thicken and fruit is softened, 40 to 45 minutes. Stir in ginger, cool completely. Stir in mint. Chill at least 4 hours or up to 3 days.

Avocado and Strawberries with Honey Vinaigrette

Ingredients:

2 1/2 tbsp. lemon juice

3 tbsp. honey

3 tbsp. olive oil

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

2 avocados, peeled, pitted and cut into wedges

8 oz. strawberries, halved

How to:

Whisk the lemon juice, honey, olive oil, salt, and pepper together. Arrange the avocados and strawberries on a salad plate. Drizzle the vinaigrette over the fruit salad. Serve immediately.

Strawberry-Lemonade Punch

Ingredients:

1 c. fresh lemon juice

1/2 c. pure maple syrup

1 1/2 cup strawberries, hulled and halved

1 c. sparkling water

1 c. blueberries (optional)

How to:

Combine lemon juice, maple syrup, 1 cup of strawberries, and 2 cups water in a blender. Blend until smooth. Combine sparkling water, lemon juice mixture, remaining half cup strawberries, and, if desired, blueberries in a pitcher. Serve topped with ice.

Strawberry Cobb Salad

Ingredients:

1/4 c. extra-virgin olive oil 2 tsp. lime zest 3 tbsp. lime juice 1 1/2 Honey salt Freshly ground black pepper 1 head Romaine Lettuce or other seasonal greens, torn 2 chicken breasts, grilled and sliced or shrimps 2 c. Sliced strawberries 4 oz. Crumbled feta or other local cheese (I love chevre) 1 c. cooked peas 1 avocado, sliced 1/2 c. sliced red onion (optional)

How to:

Whisk together olive oil, lime zest, lime juice, and honey. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.

Place romaine in a large bowl and top with chicken or shrimps, strawberries, feta, peas, avocado, and red onion. Season with salt and pepper and drizzle with dressing. Toss and serve immediately.