Sunday 5 May 2019

12+ Healthy Strawberry Recipes to Eat All Spring

Did you know how good strawberries are for your body?  Get ready to be amazed by how awesome and versatile strawberries are and learn about the health benefits of eating strawberries, too.  

Why You Should Eat More Strawberries + 12 Amazing Strawberry Recipes

What’s your favorite thing about spring and summer? Is it the weather? Vacation time? For me, ONE of the favorite parts of spring and summer is… strawberries. My reason for loving these seasons had to be food related, right? Well, I’m predictable but, you gotta admit strawberries are pretty awesome. And juicy. And tasty. And totes delicious in healthy strawberry recipes.  Plus, we love to go pick them with the kiddos for fresh strawberries from the farm.

If you’re with me, I think you’ll love this list of healthy strawberry recipes! And you’ll use it as a source of inspiration for the fresh strawberries that are probably already in your fridge right now.

I figured talking about the health benefits of strawberries and sharing some tips for how to store strawberries, how to thaw strawberries, plus some ideas for how to make yummy strawberry recipes won’t hurt, either. In fact, I think you’ll love strawberries even more after learning how amazing and versatile they truly are!

Bowl of fresh strawberries that will need to be diced and cooked for the strawberry chia jam.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF STRAWBERRIES

Strawberries are not just delicious, my friends. Nope. They are super healthy. And they provide you with so many wonderful health benefits. I’m sure after reading all these benefits you’ll be asking yourself what can I make with strawberries fast!  When making healthy strawberry recipes, you’ll have the following health benefits:

IMPROVED IMMUNITY

Strawberries contain vitamin C that acts as an antioxidant preventing common diseases and neutralizing free radicals;

LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE

Strawberries are a great source of potassium so they reduce blood pressure by minimizing the effects of sodium.

REDUCED INFLAMMATION

The antioxidants in strawberries reduce inflammation and detoxify the body.

PROTECTION AGAINST CANCER

Strawberries contain flavonoids that act as a natural defense against cancer development and oxidative stress.

BETTER EYE HEALTHY

The same flavonoids present in strawberries can improve eye health and reduce the risk of vision problems caused by degeneration of the ocular structures.

LOWER BLOOD SUGAR

Compared to other fruits, strawberries have a low glycemic index and they won’t cause spikes in blood sugar. And, since they contain fiber, they actually regulate glucose.

BETTER MOOD

Strawberries put you in a better mood. For realz. Strawberries contain one omega-3 fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acid, that’s known to have mood-stabilizing effects.

BETTER ALLERGY CONTROL

While strawberries can be allergic and, unfortunately, not all people can eat them. But those who are not allergic to strawberries should know that strawberries contain fisetin, an anti-allergy flavonoid, that helps the body to control the inflammatory reactions caused by allergens.

SKIN VITALITY

Eating strawberries = better skin. Aren’t strawberries just amazing? And yes, they are awesome for skin health because they provide your body with vitamin C, which is used by your body to produce collagen. I think you know collagen is essential for skin health. So yup, eating strawberries improves skin appearance and prevents premature aging. Not only that, but they can help to prevent skin cancer, too.

4 Ingredient Strawberry Frozen Yogurt | Easy, simple, clean, and super delicious! | asweetpeachef.com

WHEN ARE STRAWBERRIES IN SEASON?

We all know strawberries are available year-round in grocery stores and you can find fresh strawberries and frozen strawberries pretty much any day. BUT the best ones are the fresh strawberries you can buy during strawberry season. That’s between April and June, BTW.  It comes and goes quick, so it’s a greta idea to squeeze in as many strawberry recipes as you can!

Challenge accepted!

I want to point out that strawberries are heavily sprayed fruits so make sure you buy organic strawberries to reduce exposure to pesticides, if you can.

Bowl of fresh strawberries that have been washed and diced and are ready to be cooked down and made into strawberry chia jam.

HOW LONG DO FRESH STRAWBERRIES LAST?

The problem with strawberries is that they don’t last very long. Except… they do! If you store them properly, that is! Wanna learn how to store strawberries properly and how long do strawberries last when stored properly?

TIPS FOR HOW TO STORE STRAWBERRIES

  1. Don’t wash strawberries and don’t remove their stems if you want them to last longer;
  2. Before storing, discard any damaged fruits;
  3. To prevent mold, place the strawberries in a mason jar and close the lid;
  4. Store the strawberries in the coldest part of the fridge.

HOW LONG DO STRAWBERRIES LAST

If you stored them as I mention above, strawberries can actually last for up to 3 weeks in the fridge. Now we’re talking!!! Fresh strawberries can become moldy, though, so make sure to check them out before eating.

4 Ingredient Strawberry Frozen Yogurt | Easy, simple, clean, and super delicious! | asweetpeachef.com

HOW TO THAW FROZEN STRAWBERRIES FOR COOKING

Can you freeze strawberries at home? Yes! In fact, freezing fresh strawberries at home is the best way to store strawberries long term and to enjoy their awesome, seasonal taste all year long. And frozen strawberries are amazing in certain strawberry recipes, such as smoothies. You can also use frozen strawberries in some healthy strawberry desserts that require cooking. However, if your strawberry recipes ask for raw strawberries, you have to thaw them before using.

To thaw strawberries…

  1. Remove them from the freezer bag and place them in a bowl;
  2. Cover the bowl with paper towels and place in the fridge for a few hours or overnight;
  3. Don’t defrost strawberries at room temperature because they won’t remain firm. Defrosting strawberries slowly is better.

Overhead view of a sauce pan filled with fresh strawberries that will be cooked down until syrupy for the strawberry chia jam.

WHAT TO MAKE WITH STRAWBERRIES

My favorite part now – what to make with strawberries! And the answer is – so many yummy and healthy strawberry recipes. You can make strawberry snacks, low-calorie strawberry desserts, fruit salads, lunch salads, smoothies, jam, and topping for french toast and pancakes.

Strawberries are versatile and, even though they are great raw as strawberry snacks, it’s a shame not to take advantage of their versatility and use them in healthy strawberry desserts or savory dishes. Because yes, strawberries are amazing in savory dishes, too.

Strawberry And Peach Smoothie Bowl Recipe + How To Make A Smoothie Bowl! | A Sweet Pea Chef

TOOLSET FOR RECIPES

The tools part now. Listed below are all the tools I use to make these healthy strawberry recipes happen. Make sure yours are ready for some strawberry awesomeness, ok?

Homemade Strawberry Jam

4 BONUS TIPS FOR MAKING STRAWBERRY RECIPES EXTRA DELICIOUS

Strawberries are juicy, tasty, and flavorful so do you really need extra tips for making strawberry recipes delicious? Well, technically no, but I still think you’ll find these tips useful.

  • Instead of buying fresh or frozen strawberries from the grocery store, buy fresh strawberries when they are in season and freeze them at home for the off-season. Your strawberry recipes will be better this way!
  • If you use frozen strawberries, defrost them slowly as recommended. Don’t speed up the process if you want the strawberries to stay firm.
  • For low-calorie strawberry desserts, use raw honey or pure maple syrup instead of sugar for healthy sweetness.
  • Add a little bit of lemon juice to enhance the strawberry flavors of your healthy strawberry recipes.

Strawberry And Peach Smoothie Bowl Recipe + How To Make A Smoothie Bowl! | A Sweet Pea Chef

HEALTHY STRAWBERRY RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE

It’s time for the healthy strawberry recipes now! Let me tell you what you can find on this list of easy strawberry recipes and then I’ll let you choose your favorite recipe so you can try it out. We have…

  • healthy strawberry desserts that are low-calorie strawberry desserts;
  • strawberry snacks;
  • Strawberry jam;
  • strawberry lunch and breakfast ideas.

And to make things even easier, all the recipes with strawberries described here have info about prep time, cook time, and calories.

1.      STRAWBERRY CHIA JAM

Close up of a jar of strawberry chia seed jam.

Let’s start our list of delicious strawberry recipes with strawberry jam! This Strawberry Chia Jam is clean and healthy!

Recipe Notes:

  • Prep Time: 5 mins
  • Cook Time: 15 mins
  • Cool time: 15 mins
  • Total Time: 35 mins
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Calories: 19 kcal

Get the recipe.

2.      GLUTEN FREE STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE + VEGAN WHIPPED CREAM TOPPING

Gluten Free Strawberry Shortcake + Vegan Whipped Cream Topping

Can you actually make healthy strawberry shortcake? Yes, yes, you can! Any recipe can be turned into a healthy recipe. Fresh strawberry recipes are no exception. And the proof, if you don’t believe me, is this yummy and Gluten Free Strawberry Shortcake + Vegan Whipped Cream Topping. Healthy strawberry desserts are amazing, don’t you think?

Recipe Notes:

  • Prep Time: 20 mins
  • Cook Time: 25 mins
  • Total Time: 45 mins
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Calories: 462 kcal

Get the recipe.

3.      5 BEST CHIA PUDDING RECIPES

Strawberry matcha chia pudding recipe in a jar that has sliced strawberries pressed against the inside of the jar which is then filled with the matcha chia pudding recipe and then topped off with more sliced strawberries.

Simple recipes with strawberries are the best recipes with strawberries! And strawberry chia pudding is a simple and yummy one. And even better when you make Strawberry Matcha Chia Pudding. Bonus 4 other flavors including Blueberry Vanilla, Raspberry Chocolate, PB&J, and Mango. So 5 Best Chia Pudding Recipes that are easy, simple, and perfect for breakfast or snack.

Recipe Notes:

  • Prep Time: 5 mins
  • Cook Time: 5 mins
  • Setting time: 30 mins
  • Total Time: 40 mins
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Calories: 301

Get the recipe.

4.      4 INGREDIENT STRAWBERRY FROZEN YOGURT

4 Ingredient Strawberry Frozen Yogurt | Easy, simple, clean, and super delicious! | asweetpeachef.com

This 4 Ingredient Strawberry Frozen Yogurt is the perfect spring and summer treat. And the recipe is one of the easiest healthy strawberry recipes. No ice cream maker required! Healthy strawberry desserts FTW!

Recipe Notes:

  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 4 hrs
  • Total Time: 4 hrs 10 mins
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Calories: 99 kcal

Get the recipe.

5.      6 BEST OVERNIGHT OATS RECIPES – EASY MAKE AHEAD RECIPES

Horizontal view of a jar with Strawberry Overnight Oats with rolled oats, chopped strawberries, raspberries, chia seeds, pure maple syrup, vanilla, plain greek yogurt and almond milk, topped with sliced strawberries

Aside from strawberry snacks and healthy strawberry desserts, you can also make healthy strawberry breakfasts. With oats. My Strawberry Overnight Oats recipe is included in this 6 Best Overnight Oats Recipes list.

Recipe Notes:

  • Prep Time: 5 mins
  • Cook Time: 4 hrs
  • Total Time: 4 hrs 5 mins
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Calories: 390 kcal

Get the recipe.

6.      PINK POWER PROTEIN BEET SMOOTHIE

Pink Power Protein Smoothie | All sorts of goodness, packed into a bright pink, healthy protein smoothie | A Sweet Pea Chef

The easiest recipes using strawberries are smoothie recipes. The quickest too. If you love strawberries in smoothies, you gotta try this Pink Power Protein Beet Smoothie. Pink goodness ready in less than 5 minutes.

Recipe Notes:

  • Prep Time: 2 mins
  • Cook Time: 2 mins
  • Total Time: 4 mins
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Calories: 278 kcal

Get the recipe.

7.      RED, WHITE & BLUE FRUIT POPSICLES

Close up shot of a red white and blue fruit popsicle ready to be eaten that is setting on top a metal can filled with ice to be enjoyed for the 4th of July.

I don’t use artificial dyes but I love colorful desserts. So, when I’m asked what to do with strawberries, I sometimes answer colorful desserts. Like these Red, White & Blue Fruit Popsicles. They are so good and made with only 5 clean and healthy ingredients. Strawberries are responsible for that pretty red, BTW.

Recipe Notes:

  • Prep Time: 20 mins
  • Cook Time: 5 hrs
  • Total Time: 5 hrs 20 mins
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Calories: 118 kcal

Get the recipe.

8.      STRAWBERRY FIELDS SALAD WITH CHIA SEED VINAIGRETTE

Strawberry Fields Salad with Chia Seed Vinaigrette | Day 3 of our free Spring Into Health Lunch Challenge is here! | A Sweet Pea Chef

What to do with fresh strawberries besides eating them for snacks or in desserts? Add them to a salad! To this Strawberry Fields Salad with Chia Seed Vinaigrette to be more specific. It’s so good and healthy. And it’s the perfect lunch for Spring and Summer months.

Recipe Notes:

  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 15 mins
  • Total Time: 25 mins
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Calories: 402 kcal

Get the recipe.

9.      STRAWBERRY FRENCH TOAST (THAT’S ACTUALLY CLEAN!)

Strawberry French Toast (That's Actually Clean!) | This is what's for breakfast tomorrow! | A Sweet Pea Chef

I love when easy strawberry recipes can satisfy my cravings! And I love French toast! Let me tell you something, French toast and strawberries are a match made in heaven! And this Strawberry French Toast is actually clean, healthy, and good for you.

Recipe Notes:

  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 15 mins
  • Total Time: 25 mins
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Calories: 252 kcal

Get the recipe.

10. STRAWBERRY & PEACH SMOOTHIE BOWL RECIPE + HOW TO MAKE A SMOOTHIE BOWL!

Strawberry And Peach Smoothie Bowl Recipe + How To Make A Smoothie Bowl! | A Sweet Pea Chef

This Strawberry & Peach Smoothie Bowl Recipe has to be on this list of healthy strawberry recipes! Seriously, it’s a must! As you can imagine, it’s super yummy. And it’s ready in less than 10 minutes! Wooot!

Recipe Notes:

  • Prep Time: 5 mins
  • Cook Time: 3 mins
  • Total Time: 8 mins
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Calories: 373 kcal

Get the recipe.

11. STRAWBERRIES AND CREAM STEEL CUT OATS

Strawberries And Cream Steel Cut Oats | Such a delicious and healthy way to enjoy oatmeal! | asweetpeachef.com

We had a smoothie bowl and french toast as healthy breakfast recipes with strawberries. But I think you need more! Another great breakfast idea with strawberries is this Strawberries And Cream Steel Cut Oats breakfast. It’s filling but, most importantly, delicious.

Recipe Notes:

  • Prep Time: 5 mins
  • Cook Time: 25 mins
  • Total Time: 30 mins
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Calories: 385 kcal

Get the recipe.

12. STRAWBERRY PROTEIN SHAKE

Strawberry Protein Shake

And the last strawberry recipe of our list of healthy strawberry recipes is this Strawberry Protein Shake. This is great for a quick and healthy breakfast but works as a snack too. And it has awesome flavors!

Recipe Notes:

  • Prep Time: 5 mins
  • Cook Time: 5 mins
  • Total Time: 10 mins
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Calories: 304 kcal

Get the recipe.

 

This post contains affiliate links for products I use often and highly recommend.

The post 12+ Healthy Strawberry Recipes to Eat All Spring appeared first on A Sweet Pea Chef.



* This article was originally published here

from Merah Hati Cintaku http://bit.ly/2VJ298d
via merahhaticintaku.blogspot.my

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