Saturday, March 27, 2010

Strawberries Are Here!

I was thrilled to see fresh organic strawberries in my grocery store again. Company was coming, and I immediately had visions of waffles with fresh strawberries for breakfast. Is there anyone who doesn't like strawberries?

I'll digress for a moment to say that I once read a review of one of my books in which the reviewer said she liked the book but got tired of reading the word "organic"! I won't badger anyone, but note that strawberries are on the USDA's dirty dozen list. You can't peel them and you can't do much more than rinse them. Google USDA dirty dozen and you'll find the top twelve fruits and vegetables that contain pesticides.


In any event, they're delicious. But the morning after you buy them, they look a little dimpled. You've tried leaving them on the counter, right? You've tried refrigerating them. Nothing seems to help them last longer.


There's a simple trick. It works best with a large flat food container. My favorite is a glass lasagna dish with a lid. Any airtight food container will work, but the broader the bottom, the easier this is to do.


These simple tricks will keep strawberries fresh for days.

1. Don't wash them.

2. Line the bottom of the container with a paper towel. Place the strawberries inside in little rows, but be sure they don't touch each other.




3. Place another paper towel over top of the strawberries and add another layer of strawberries. You can fit them into the little nooks created by the lower layer, but be sure there's paper towel between them so they don't touch.

4. Continue adding layers of paper towels and strawberries. If you're using a smallish container, you can roll the paper towel over a row and add more as I have below.

5. Add an airtight lid.

Just remember, don't wash them and don't let them touch each other. That's it! Now you can shop one day and make those Strawberry Shortcakes, or in my case, Strawberry Waffles, a couple days later.







And don't forget to leave a comment with your idea of the wackiest cupcake ingredients you can think of. The contest to win cupcakes from Crumbs Bake Shop will end fairly soon. Our own Jenn McKinlay’s Sprinkle with Murder is now out in bookstores near you!

13 comments:

  1. I've never been a waffle eater but after reading your post, now I'm hungry for waffles and strawberries. I so love strawberries, especially blended and used in homemade ice cream.

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  2. Aha! You've just rescued hundreds of strawberries from my improper storage! I am forever making berries rot and I will remember this method from now on. Yay!

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  3. I'm glad to know how to keep strawberries so they last longer. Thank you so much.

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  4. Strawberry love is in the air. I am so happy to see this coming sign of spring and summer - great tips on storing those sweet, red babies!

    Have a wonderful Saturday,
    ~Cleo
    Coffeehouse Mystery.com
    Cleo Coyle on Twitter

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  5. Hi Cleo! Thanks for dropping by at my blog. I was just talking about salvaging strawberries with a friend, giving her tips on how to restore it. I guess its berry Season in your country now.

    The reconstituted mashed potato i was talking about you should use the powdered mashed potato in its dried form. Mixing it with the bread crumbs, will give it a creamy texture and taste, constrasting to the crispy bread crumbs, since some reconstituted mashed potato has its buttery taste.

    Enjoy baking with your strawberries! looking forward for those recipes... U

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  6. hahahaha So Jolibee has conquered your town too. It is Mc Donalds biggest rival here in the Philippines. Filipinos there might wanna bring back their memories through eating at Jolibee..I guess you should try their Fried Chicken. Its like the Southern Style Chicken, but with Pinoy savory taste.

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  7. Krista, great tip. I adore strawberries! I've also found that taking out the stems helps them last longer. Enjoy! ~ Avery

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  8. great advice....

    haven't seen a strawberry on the island, so if I can find em, will take very good care of them

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  9. I adore strawberries and I've always stored them this way. But I didn't know about not letting them touch. Good tip, Krista! Thanks! ~Heidi

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  10. Krista, this is a wonderful tip. It'll be a while before we get local strawberries, but my whole family loves them. I can't wait for the season to begin!

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  11. Excellent tip for extending the life of strawberries. Am going to do this with the strawberries I just bought today. Thanks!

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  12. Mason, if you're not a waffle fan, strawberries are also wonderful with french toast.

    Jessica, I'm very glad to help save your strawberries from a dreaded rotting death.

    You're very welcome, Carol and Cleo.

    Mhel, we're just sliding into strawberry season here.

    Avery, I've never taken out the stems in advance. Thanks, will have to try that.

    Dave, I'm trying to feel sorry for you having to live without strawberries, but your island lifestyle is making it verrry hard!

    Heidi! Nice to see you here. And I'm delighted to help extend the life of your strawberries.

    Janel, if they're in my grocery store, it won't be long before you have them, too.

    Perfect timing, Katy!

    You're very welcome Juju. I hate to see them spoil.

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