Strawberry season is in full swing and if you’re like us, you just can’t get your hands on enough fresh berries! We love hosting seasonal, ingredient based dinner parties. Last Fall, we planned an apple themed dinner. This week, we wanted to share a dinner highlighting strawberries. It’s not easy to devote an entire menu to one ingredient, but with some TWINSPIRATION we created a fabulous dinner.
Peak strawberry season runs from late April to early July. Unlike bananas, strawberries do not continue to ripen once they are picked. We suggest choosing berries with a bright sheen and even red color, which depending on the variety, can range from light to dark red. Strawberries taste best at room temperature, so we recommend removing them from the refrigerator about an hour before you plan to eat them. Strawberries are versatile – you can add them to cereal, yogurt, salads, desserts, or simply pop them in your mouth as a quick nibble. People typically associate strawberries with sweets but did you know that you can also make delicious savory recipes?
We created a beautiful strawberry inspired tablescape featuring red alstroemeria, floral plates from Villeroy and Boch and placemats from Bed, Bath and Beyond.
Crafting a menu with a single ingredient can be tricky. Some courses call for the main ingredient to be at the center of the plate, while at other times it plays a supporting role.
We began our meal with bubbly and Strawberry Focaccia. Our second course featured a Strawberry and Asparagus Salad, paired with a crisp, refreshing Sauvignon Blanc. Next we dined on Grilled Lamb Chops with a Spicy Strawberry Salsa, paired with a fruity, flavorful Pinot Noir. We concluded our meal with a creamy Strawberry Panna Cotta paired with a peachy, nutty Muscat.
Thanks to our sister, Shruthi and brother-in-law, Brian for letting us add some TWINSPIRATION to our Sunday family dinner.
We can’t wait to try the single ingredient themed dinner again. If you need help selecting your Summer ingredient, look at the list below, which shows when various fruits and veggies peak:
JUNE
VEGETABLES
Asparagus | Courgettes | Globe Artichokes | Green Beans | New Potatoes | Snap peas | Watercress
FRUIT
Cherries | Gooseberries | Strawberries
JULY
VEGETABLES
Broad Beans | Cucumbers | Garlic | Green Beans | Peas | Radishes | Watercress
FRUIT
Bilberries | Blueberries | Cherries | Black, Red and White Currants | Gooseberries | Raspberries | Strawberries
AUGUST
VEGETABLES
Courgettes | New Beetroots | Peppers | Potatoes | Sweet Corn | Tomatoes
FRUIT
Apricots | Cherries | Figs | Loganberries | Melons | Plums
“You are the straw to my berry”–– Auburn
great information best of luck
very good performance.
Beautifully prepared meals and gorgeous family.
Just reading about the menu made my mouth water, everything looks so delish!