Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Strawberries!

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I didn't make anything new for you today. I know that all you nice people will forgive me. It's been an interesting month to say the least, what with our never-ending roof leak, caved in ceiling, a mold problem that necessitated a week of removal and haz-mat like conditions in the house, and other things cooking that I would love to tell you about now (but can't... you'll have to wait and see!). I hope that my mom is not reading this, because these days, our dinners have consisted of roasted chicken, mac and cheese or "whatever is left in the fridge." Like I said, it's been an interesting month.

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But yesterday (when I had two oranges and a yogurt for dinner), I decided that life was too beautiful to worry about roof leaks and all the other stuff. I mean, look outside, people, it's SPRING! It's March! And you know what this means in California? It means blue skies, tank tops and STRAWBERRIES. Oh good lord, California strawberries, they just take my breath away. Especially the ones sold at the Farmer's Market by this guy in the picture above. I think he's pretty dreamy when he talks about growing strawberries. So, in celebration of spring (I like to think of it as "spring!"), I dug into the archives for my favorite strawberry recipes. Trust me when I tell you that these are the bee's knees, the cat's meow and the like. These make me happy. And spring, it's here, and that makes me happy too.

Strawberry scones
Chocolate-dipped strawberries
Strawberry Bavarian cake (yum, btw)
Strawberry cream cake
Strawberry Frangelico tart
Fresh strawberry tart

21 comments:

The Food Librarian said...

Oh my! These all look lovely. Aren't California strawberries the best?!

Manggy said...

Well, there's no shame in roasted chicken :) And certainly I can dream about these strawberry desserts all day. Happy springtime!

the cookie jar said...

I cannot even tell you how much that strawberry cream cake makes me froth at the mouth with pure and utter desire.

Oh I am baking that SOON.

Retrose said...

In Poland we have to wait till june for strawberries, so I have to eat with my eyes only. Ours are definietely smaller, not so heavy red, but very sweet with incredible smell.

Jennifer said...

*Sigh*

You are so fortunate to live in California. Here in NY we will not be seeing strawberries for three whole months. Unless it's unseasonably warm and then maybe it will be 2 and 3/4 months. Lucky!

El said...

Irene, these are beautiful photos. How wonderful to see such amazing color. I'm sorry about your house and completely empathize. We had to move in January for that very reason. It made us sick so it's good that you have hazmat in the house! (even though I know it's awful and your routine is disrupted). Here's to brighter days.

Dewi said...

That look so beautiful!

Rambling Tart said...

I don't mind one bit!!! So sorry you've had such a humbug of a month! My goodness. :-( These are gorgemously wonderful photos!!! Those scones are calling my name. :-) Hope things get resolved soon! :-)

Irene said...

Thanks, guys. It's pretty much sucked and we still have no ceiling in one of our bedrooms (though the mold is gone, yay!), but I think I'm ready to move past it and into the realm of delicious food again, like a Tiramisu cheesecake that I'm dreaming about. :)

Simones Kitchen said...

Sound like you had you're fair share of trouble! Hope it all gets solved soon. And those strawberries... What can I say? They look so good and then now that I have to wait a while longer... Sigh

Anonymous said...

So excited!!! Your strawberry scones are one of my favorite recipes ever. I can't wait to be able to make them again. I'm hoping I can get some strawberries at the farmers market this weekend. Yum.

s said...

which farmers market do you hit up?

when I lived in northern california (now i'm in southern, meh), I used to hit up Berkeley Bowl near the end of April. They sold flats of fresh strawberries for $6. A friend and I would make strawberry shortcakes and all sorts of things and basically have a strawberry fest.

Speaking of which, I've been to the Strawberry Festival in Arroyo Grande. I'm thinking about going to Ventura.

Ash said...

Love all of these!! I can't wait for strawberry season over here!!

Jane said...

Sure sounds like you have your hands full, Irene! So nice to see these beautiful strawberry recipes again, though. Everytime I see the one of your strawberry scones (the photos in that post are so gorgeous), particularly, I want to run to the kitchen and make them. Good luck with all of the repairs and hang in there!

:) Jane

Anonymous said...

How beautiful...Where in the world could I find my own labels like the ones you used on your package(which is lovely) I love them. Tutti

Irene said...

I actually print my own labels - I buy blank ones and then configure the size, background and text in Word. I would send you a template, but since I use so many different elements, it would probably be less work for you to just create your own. In any case, if you want the template, just email me at sweet.persuasion (at) gmail (dot) com.

my little expat kitchen said...

How I love strawberries. The vibrant color, the taste! I want to eat every single strawberry delight you made. YUM!
Magda

Katie @ Cozydelicious said...

I can't wait for REAL spring. We got a teaser last week, but strawberry picking is still many weeks away. That's ok, it means I have a month or two to decide which of your wonderful desserts to make first! I'm thinking strawberry cream cake... but we'll see!

Dinners and Dreams said...

You did amazing things with the strawberries. All the desserts look sensational!
I hope things get easier and better soon :)

Nisrine

Christine said...

How perfect! I brought some friends down to Little Saigon today to introduce them to the lesser-known side of Vietnamese food, and right outside my favorite patisserie was a man selling beautiful plump strawberries. I couldn't resist and almost fell over when he told me they were $5 for a flat! I almost cried. Thanks for the inspiration!

Kristen said...

I love strawberries and fresh fruit. What a lovely assortment of tasty looking strawberry dishes.
Happy Spring!