tickled.: strawberries

This is definitely one of my favorite times of the year! The weather is perfect - not too hot, not too cold. And the produce ... the best!

Now I love root veggies, but after a winter full of them I'm ready for some juicy fruits! :)

And strawberries are one of my faves!

So this week's monday munchies is dedicated to those perfect red berries!

Strawberry Chocolate Chip bread

Ingredients:

2 cups fresh strawberries, divided
3/4 cup white sugar
1-1/2 cups all purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

Directions:

~ Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease bottom and sides of a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan; dust with flour, tapping out excess.

~Puree 1 cup of strawberries in a blender. Transfer to a medium bowl. Slice remaining 1 cup of strawberries and place in the medium bowl with the strawberry puree. Sprinkle with 3/4 cup sugar; set aside.

~In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cinnamon, salt and baking soda. Add oil, eggs and vanilla extract to the strawberry mixture, stir to combine. Add strawberry mixture to flour mixture, blending until dry ingredients are just moistened. Fold in chocolate chips. Scrape batter into prepared loaf pan and smooth surface with a rubber spatula.

~Bake until top is golden and toothpick inserted into center comes out clean, about 45 to 50 minutes. Let cool in pan on wire rack for 10 minutes. Turn out onto the wire rack, and cool completely.{via}

Strawberry & Avocado Salsa

Ingredients:

1 cup finely chopped strawberries
1/4 cup finely chopped peeled avocado
2 tablespoons finely chopped red onion
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 teaspoon grated lime rind
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 teaspoons finely chopped seeded jalapeño pepper
1/4 teaspoon sugar

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl; toss gently. Serve immediately.{via}

Strawberry Layer Cake

Ingredients:

Cake:

1 1/4 cups sliced strawberries

10 ounce all-purpose flour (about 2 1/4 cups)

2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

1/2 cup butter, softened

2 large eggs

2 large egg whites

1 cup low-fat buttermilk

1/4 teaspoon red food coloring

Cooking spray

Frosting:

1/3 cup (3 ounces) 1/3-less-fat cream cheese

1/3 cup butter, softened

2 tablespoons Grand Marnier (orange-flavored liqueur)

3 cups powdered sugar

12 whole strawberries (optional)

Directions:
- 1. Preheat oven to 350°.
- 2. To prepare cake, place sliced strawberries in a food processor; process until smooth.
- 3. Weigh or lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt, stirring with a whisk. Place granulated sugar and 1/2 cup butter in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in egg whites. Add flour mixture and buttermilk alternately to sugar mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Add pureed strawberries and food coloring; beat just until blended.
- 4. Divide batter between 2 (8-inch) round cake pans coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Remove from pans; cool completely on wire racks.
- 5. To prepare frosting, place cream cheese, 1/3 cup butter, and liqueur in a medium bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until blended. Gradually add powdered sugar, and beat just until blended.
- 6. Place 1 cake layer on a plate; spread with 1/2 cup frosting. Top with remaining cake layer. Spread remaining frosting over top and sides of cake. Cut 1 whole strawberry into thin slices, cutting to, but not through, the stem end. Fan strawberry on top of cake just before serving, if desired. Cut remaining 11 strawberries in half. Garnish cake with strawberry halves, if desired.{via}