Kathy Casey: Fresh, Juicy Strawberries: From Cocktails to Salads--It’s a Sure Sign of Summer!
With summer just a few sunny days away, it’s time to start incorporating summer fruits and the bounty of the farmers markets into our seasonal menus and cocktails.
One of the first signs of summer is sweet, juicy strawberries appearing at the market! We love them piled high on shortcake, in salads, eaten from hand, or dipped in chocolate…and also in cooling libations!
I have included two of my favorite recipes. First up is the Strawberry Shag Cocktail from my new book Sips & Apps (that features over 100 recipes--69 cocktail and 35 appetizer--an array of variations, sours, and purées, as well as more than 60 color photographs to guide and inspire!). The Strawberry Shag teams lightly-sugared fresh strawberries with a tasty partner--fresh basil! Shaken with vodka and fresh lemon juice this refreshing cooler is perfect to start any patio party!
Next up is Strawberry and Spinach Salad with Sweet Onions and Poppy Seed-Ginger Vinaigrette, which is one of my favorite salad recipes from my book Kathy Casey’s Northwest Table. If you are tight on time you can make the dressing up to one week in advance! Serve this d’lish salad as a starter or top it with sliced grilled chicken breast, paired with some hearty, rustic bread for a main meal.
I hope you enjoy my “first of summer” strawberry recipes and be sure to always remember to “Cook up Some Fun®” in the kitchen!
Strawberry Shag Fresh basil lends a fun flavor note to the classic combination of strawberries and lemonade. Soda water introduces a lively sparkle.
Makes 1 drink
Ingredients:
1 to 2 large sprigs fresh basil
1/4 cup Sugared Strawberries with juice (recipe follows)
1-1/2 ounces vodka
1 ounce fresh lemon juice
3 to 4 ounces chilled soda water
For garnishing: fresh strawberry, small basil leaf
Directions:
In a cocktail shaker, press the basil and strawberries together with a muddler to release the basil’s flavor. Fill the shaker with ice. Measure in the vodka and lemon juice. Cap and shake vigorously. Pour into a large glass, top with soda water, and stir. Garnish with a strawberry and basil leaf.
Sugared Strawberries
Makes enough for about 6 drinks
1 pint fresh strawberries, stemmed and thinly sliced
1-1/2 cups powdered sugar
Mix the ingredients and let sit for 15 minutes before using.
Recipe from Sips & Apps, Chronicle Books, San Francisco. Copyright © 2009 by Kathy Casey
Photo from Sips & Apps, Chronicle Books, Angie Norwood Browne Photography
Strawberry and Spinach Salad with Sweet Onions and Poppy Seed-Ginger Vinaigrette
Makes 6 to 8 servings
Ingredients:
Vinaigrette:
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
1 tablespoon minced peeled fresh ginger
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
3 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/3 cup light olive oil or other salad oil
2 teaspoons poppy seeds
Salad:
3 cups fresh strawberries, stemmed and quartered
2 bunches spinach, stemmed, washed well, and spun dry (or 8 to 10 cups of baby spinach leaves)
1/2 cup thinly sliced sweet white onion, such as a Walla Walla Sweet or Vidalia
1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted
Directions:
1. To make the vinaigrette, whisk the vinegar, ginger, mustard, honey, sugar, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Gradually whisk in the oil, emulsifying the vinaigrette. Stir in the poppy seeds. Refrigerate for up to one week.
2. To make the salad, toss the berries, spinach, and onion with the vinaigrette. Sprinkle with almonds.
Recipe adapted from Kathy Casey’s Northwest Table, Chronicle Books, San Francisco. Copyright © 2006 by Kathy Casey.
For more Dishing with Kathy Casey and recipes visit www.kathycasey.com/blog.
sascha Bush on May 18, 2009 at 03:31 PM
I made the perfect summer meal the other night consisting of salmon, grilled pineapple, asparagus, and rice. This summery cocktail would have been a perfect addition! I found this recipe for a ginger caipirinha awhile back and chose to stick to that as my summer stand-by:
http://www.bettyconfidential.com/ar/ld/a/cocktails_that_are_just_perfect_for_spring.html
Can't wait to test drive your drink!
buy kamagra on April 22, 2010 at 12:37 PM
The taste of fresh whipped cream was way beyond my expectations! I thought it'd me the same thing. Maybe it was because I used heavy cream, but it just seems so much richer and... real!