Fresh Strawberry Fruit Salad: A Burst of Springtime Joy!
Why Does It Win Everyone Over?
Food lover friends, today I bring you into the heart of spring with a very simple yet incredibly satisfying dessert: the fresh strawberry fruit salad! Who doesn’t love that burst of bright red, that intoxicating aroma that heralds the arrival of the beautiful season? This is not just an ordinary fruit salad, but a concentrate of natural sweetness that awakens the senses. It’s the perfect dessert to end a light lunch, the ideal treat for a tasty snack, or a fun way to indulge in a moment of pure pleasure without guilt.
The Secret Lies in Freshness and Simplicity
The real secret to a memorable fruit salad is the quality of the ingredients and the delicacy of the preparation. Choose strawberries that are perfectly ripe, those that smell of sun and earth, preferably in season (and in May here in Piacenza, we find wonderful ones!). Wash them carefully but gently, as if they were small precious gems. Cut them into pieces not too small, to preserve their texture and allow them to release their magical juice, a sprinkle of sugar, just enough to enhance their natural sweetness, and a splash of lemon juice, which with its acidity balances it all and revives the color.
If you want to add an extra touch of fragrance, a few leaves of lemon thyme or coarsely chopped fresh mint will make the difference. Remember, simplicity is the key: you don’t need to add a thousand ingredients to create an unforgettable dessert. The real magic lies in the freshness of the strawberries and the respect for their authentic flavors.
Here are more recipes with strawberries:
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Cost: Very affordable
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 6 People
- Cooking methods: No cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Spring, Summer
- Energy 48.00 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 12.00 (g) of which sugars 9.45 (g)
- Proteins 0.63 (g)
- Fat 0.27 (g) of which saturated 0.02 (g)of which unsaturated 0.17 (g)
- Fibers 1.86 (g)
- Sodium 1.03 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 89 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients
- 1 lb lbs strawberries
- 3 tbsps sugar
- 1/2 lemon (juice)
- A few leaves lemon thyme (or fresh mint)
Tools
- Bowl Pyrex® – Prep & Store – Set of 3 Durable Glass Bowls with Lids (0.5L – 1L – 2L) – BPA Free
Steps
Carefully wash the strawberries: Rinse them gently under cold running water to remove any dirt. Remove the green stem. Depending on their size, cut them in half, quarters, or slices. The important thing is they are not too large, so they absorb the flavors better. Place the cut strawberries in a large bowl.
Sprinkle the strawberries with sugar and drizzle with lemon juice.
With a spoon, gently mix the strawberries with sugar and lemon juice, so as not to crush them too much.
If you like, coarsely chop some lemon thyme or mint leaves and add them to the strawberries.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place the salad in the fridge to marinate for at least 30 minutes. This step is crucial as it allows the strawberries to release their juice and absorb the sugar and lemon better, making them even tastier. If you have time, you can leave it in the fridge for up to an hour.
After the marination time, your fresh strawberry fruit salad is ready to be enjoyed! You can serve it as is, or accompany it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or some crumbled cookies.
Storage, tips, notes for fresh strawberry fruit salad
If your strawberries are particularly sweet, you can reduce the sugar quantity or omit it entirely. For a more aromatic note, you can add a tablespoon of a sweet liqueur of your choice (e.g., limoncello, maraschino). The strawberry fruit salad is best prepared just before serving, but it can be stored in the fridge for a day.
If your strawberries are particularly sweet, you can reduce the sugar quantity or omit it entirely. For a more aromatic note, you can add a tablespoon of a sweet liqueur of your choice (e.g., limoncello, maraschino). The strawberry fruit salad is best prepared just before serving, but it can be stored in the fridge for a day.
FAQ
How to enhance your fresh strawberry fruit salad?
Light alcoholic touch: a tablespoon of limoncello or a strawberry liqueur can add an intriguing aroma.
With cream or ice cream: serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra treat.
With Greek yogurt: for a lighter and creamier version, serve it with Greek yogurt and a sprinkle of granola.
With balsamic vinegar: a very light drizzle of aged balsamic vinegar can create a surprising sweet and sour contrast.
With other fresh fruits: add blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries for a mixed fruit salad that is even more colorful and rich in vitamins.
