Oven Dried Strawberries

These easy Oven Dried Strawberries are the perfect way to preserve those sweet summer strawberries...

This post first appeared over at Real Housemoms where I’m a contributor.

One of my favorite things about summertime is all of the fruits and berries that come into season. Not only are they sweet & ripe, but since they are also plentiful so you can usually pick them up for a pretty good price too. 

Though I am pretty much a huge fan of all the summertime fruits and berries, I think that I most look forward to strawberry season each summer. But strawberry season & those low prices only last so long. My solution to that little predicament? Picking up an extra pint at the store or farmers market each week and oven drying those babies to preserve some of those sweet summer strawberries just a little longer.

So why oven dry your strawberries at home versus just picking up a bag of dried strawberries at the store? For starters, it is MUCH cheaper to make your own dried strawberries at home. Have you seen the prices on a tiny bag of store bought strawberries??

Another reason is because I know exactly what is going into my dried strawberries when I make them at home. Most often store bought dried strawberries contain a bunch of unpronounceable preservatives and unnecessary added sugar. 

There is just one drawback to these homemade dried strawberries that I am sharing with you all today- they won't last as long as conventional store bought ones since we have nixed the preservatives and chemicals in this recipe. But that shouldn't be a problem seeing as how these Oven Dried Strawberries rarely last more than a few days in my house. ;)

Roasted Balsamic Strawberry & Ricotta Ice Cream

Sweet roasted strawberries & creamy ricotta cheese come together in this perfect for summer homemade ice cream...

Right before summer has officially arrived comes another season that I get pretty excited about each year- peak strawberry season.

And my friends, peak strawberry season is indeed here.

How can you tell?

You can pick up a quart of strawberries at just about any grocery store for less than $2.  

Vendors at the local farmers markets can't keep those juicy red jewels of theirs in stock any longer than the first hour of the market.

They are at their juiciest and sweetest right now, so I figured that this is the perfect time to share one of THE BEST homemade ice cream recipes I have created and made yet- my Roasted Balsamic Strawberry & Ricotta Ice Cream.

Roasted Beet & Strawberry Buttermilk Skillet Cake

This Roasted Beet & Strawberry Buttermilk Skillet Cake combines sweet, roasted beets with locally grown strawberries in a moist & buttery buttermilk cake...

This recipe first appeared on the Bridgeport Farmers Market Let's Get Fresh site.

I am on a mission once again this outdoor farmers market season to show you all how you can create a delicious recipe purchasing mostly locally grown & raised produce and meats at your local farmers market. 

I started this locally inspired recipe series last summer, and I am thrilled to be continuing the series this year as well. Each month I will be sharing a recipe here to the blog inspired by and featuring some of my own personal favorite fresh & local finds from my local market. 

For the month of June, I am sharing a delicious summer dessert recipe with an unexpected ingredient- roasted beets! This Roasted Beet & Strawberry Buttermilk Skillet Cake combines sweet, roasted beets with locally grown strawberries in a moist & buttery buttermilk cake. 

Top with a scoop of your favorite vanilla ice cream or some homemade whipped cream, and you have an impressive dessert to serve at your next summertime get-together...

Strawberry Coconut Bread Pudding

The sweetness of strawberries comes together perfectly with the creaminess of coconut in this easy to make Strawberry Coconut Bread Pudding...

So, one of my favorite things about us going from late spring to early summertime is those first of the season strawberries. There is just nothing quite like them- wouldn't you all agree? Not only do they seem to be at their very best, but the prices drop dramatically and you can snag a big ole package of them for just a few bucks. 

But unfortunately when there are only two people in your house most of the time, a big ole package of strawberries doesn't seem to get consumed quickly enough. Not wanting to see them go to waste, I brainstormed what I could do with them. 

I also happened to have on hand a loaf of locally baked sourdough bread I needed to use and some leftover canned coconut milk from when my boyfriend made me homemade Indian food from scratch a few days before. 

Fresh strawberries + sourdough bread + coconut milk? It was a no-brainer, folks. It was time to whip up a new homemade bread pudding recipe! ;)

Strawberry Peanut Butter Banana Bread

Inspired by the classic flavors of a PB&J, this Strawberry Peanut Butter Banana Bread is sure to quickly become a family favorite...

Strawberries are in peak season in Florida right now, and that means spring is just around the corner, folks. (Thank goodness!) That also means that you can pick up strawberries for pretty cheap at your local grocery store. I have been snagging fresh strawberries for about $2 a package for the past couple of weeks now.

In season, cheap strawberries is the perfect motivation for me to get in the kitchen and create. My family & I love anything that is inspired by the flavors of a PB&J, so I decided to take my recipe for Chocolate Chunk Peanut Butter Banana Bread & give it a peanut butter & jelly spin by leaving out the chocolate chunks & adding in sliced strawberries & strawberry jam. The results definitely got my family's seal of approval. :)

Chocolate Strawberry Skillet Granola

Studded with sweet dried strawberries & mini chocolate chips, this easy to make Chocolate Strawberry Skillet Granola only tastes like a decadent treat... 

I am a BIG fan of the chocolate and fruit combos for Valentine's Day (or any day really ;) ). Cherries with chocolate? YES! Strawberries and chocolate? Heck yeah! 

Chocolate covered strawberries are just synonymous with Valentine's Day, am I right? So I decided to take a cue from this popular sweet treat for this time of year and transform it into a tasty & healthy granola perfect for pouring milk over, serving over top of your favorite yogurt, or for putting into pretty glass jars for easy gift giving. 

Typically I bake my homemade granola, but for this Chocolate Strawberry Skillet Granola I broke out my trusty cast iron skillet. I have been wanting to try and make a skillet granola for a while now. 

The cook time for a skillet toasted granola is about 1/3 of the usual baking time for granola. And the results? Whoa! I was not disappointed in the slightest with this skillet granola. :)

Studded with sweet dried strawberries & mini chocolate chips, this easy to make Chocolate Strawberry Skillet Granola only tastes like a decadent treat... 

Strawberry Cheesecake Smoothie

Creamy low-fat yogurt, sweet frozen strawberries, reduced-fat cream cheese and graham crackers are blended into this satisfying Strawberry Cheesecake Smoothie...

This content was created in partnership with Kroger Family Stores using free products provided by Kroger.

This recipe post first appeared on the Kroger Inspired Gathering site.

When I need to satisfy my sweet tooth without the guilt, I make a creamy smoothie inspired by one of my favorite desserts. Lately, my guilty pleasure has been a slice of cheesecake drenched in strawberry topping. The problem is, cheesecake isn't exactly good for you, or low in fat or calories. My solution? This lower guilt Strawberry Cheesecake Smoothie that tastes just like the delicious sweet treat it's fashioned after!

Creamy low-fat yogurt, sweet frozen strawberries, reduced-fat cream cheese and graham crackers are blended into this satisfying smoothie. I added some chia seeds to sneak in a little nutrient-packed punch too. Trust me when I tell you all that it tastes just like a slice of cheesecake topped with strawberries. Who says you can't have your cheesecake and maintain that waistline too? ;)

Strawberry-Walnut Chicken Salad

Fresh, juicy strawberries and crunchy toasted walnuts come together in this lightened up & creamy Strawberry-Walnut Chicken Salad...

I will admit it- Mother's Day has kind of sneaked up me on this year. It seriously feels like I was whipping up desserts for Easter dinner just last week. Is anyone else feeling the same?  

Whether you have been prepping for Mother's Day for weeks now or just now realized today while reading this post that it is indeed this coming Sunday, I am sharing a recipe perfect for a Mother's Day brunch or luncheon with you all today. :)

This Strawberry-Walnut Chicken Salad is a fresh, bright take on a classic chicken salad that is perfect for your spring or summer lunch table. Juicy, ripe strawberries lend just a tiny bit of sweetness to this chicken salad. And it also happens to be lighter and healthier than it's traditional counterpart thanks to a little Greek yogurt... 

Strawberry Papaya Tofu Smoothie

This Strawberry Papaya Tofu Smoothie is a thick & creamy blend of tofu, sweet strawberries, fresh papaya, frozen mango, & banana- a perfect quick & easy after school snack!

Thank you House Foods for sponsoring this post.

My daughter is enjoying her last few days of summer break, and I am thinking ahead to next week when school starts back up for the year. Even though we do not know quite yet what her second grade year will bring, one thing is for certain- she will come through the door just about every afternoon after school proclaiming how hungry she is. So I am making a mental list now of fun & easy snacks that she can help me make when her after school munchies hit.

Inspired by her recent reading of The Tales of Tofu from House Foods ebook, my daughter asked if we could try one of the recipes from the ebook. My daughter loves any & all smoothies, so she of course requested that we whip up the Strawberry Papaya Tofu Smoothie in preparation for all that upcoming back to school snacking. 

Strawberry-Raspberry Lime Chia Jam

This easy to make & low-sugar Strawberry-Raspberry Lime Chia Jam is the perfect combination of fresh strawberries, sweet raspberries, and tart lime... 

I want to preface today's recipe post with the fact that I do not make homemade jam on the regular. I can probably count on one hand just how many times I have whipped up a batch of homemade jam in my whole entire lifetime. ;) But after seeing recipes for super simple chia jams popping up everywhere, I finally decided to give it a whirl and see what all the fuss was about. I am no stranger to chia seeds. 

In fact, I have several recipes on the blog already that feature chia seeds as one of the main ingredients. Chia seeds are amazing at absorbing liquids so it totally makes sense to use them in homemade jams as a thickening agent. And it doesn't hurt that they happen to provide a nice little nutritional boost as well.

I think there are like a million recipes out there for simple strawberry or raspberry chia jams, but I wanted to create my own version that would really capture the flavors of summer. I think I achieved just that in this super simple jam with the combination of fresh strawberries, sweet raspberries, and tart lime. And since we are using naturally sweet, in-season berries & chia seeds to thicken it up this jam, you hardly need to add any kind of sweetener to this making it lower in calories and sugar than your traditional berry jams... :)

Strawberry Cannoli Tiramisu

Sweet summer strawberries & two classic Italian desserts come together perfectly in this no-bake Strawberry Cannoli Tiramisu...

Now that summertime is pretty much in full swing, I am ready to break out all the no-bake recipes. I try to avoid turning on my stove top or oven as much as possible in the summer months. 

I mean, 80+ degree temps + a hot kitchen = no bueno, am I right? So from late June right on through the end of August, we are grilling, slow cooking, and no baking every chance we get. 

While I definitely have a pretty deep arsenal of slow cooker recipes & grilling favorites, I have realized that I really need to step up my no-bake desserts game on the blog. 

Inspired by the sweet summer strawberries that are just now starting to come into season around here & a two of my favorite Italian desserts, I came up with this easy to make Strawberry Cannoli Tiramisu. And the best part? It is 100% no-bake, folks! :)

Strawberry Lemon Drop Martini

This refreshing Strawberry Lemon Drop Martini is bursting with the flavors of fresh strawberries & tart lemon...

Who else could use a good, strong cocktail this weekend? Maybe some of you all are scrambling to get your taxes finished up over the weekend to make that Monday deadline. Or maybe the kids' spring break has just started, and you are already pulling your hair out. 

Or maybe you have recently delved into the world of online dating & need a drink or two to get you through the swiping. (Raises hand.) No matter your reason, this tasty Strawberry Lemon Drop Martini is just what the doctor ordered. 

Can we just chat about that latter reason for a quick second though? ;) For those of you who haven't picked up on it yet or just don't know, my husband and I got a divorce this past year. I won't go into too many of the sorted details of all of that, but I will tell you that the entire thing caught me off guard and totally shook up my world for a while. 

I am just now starting to find my footing again and am ready to move on & forward, so naturally I decided to sign myself up for a couple of online dating apps just to test the waters. 

Let's just say the waters haven't been all that warm & friendly so far. Maybe I am too picky (ain't nothing wrong with that, you all!) or maybe it is just because of where I live, but I haven't really made any real connections so far. 

What I have managed to make though are a few entertaining observations about men's dating profiles from the ones I have come across so far...

Strawberry Basil Sour Cream Shortcakes

Soft, moist homemade shortcakes are topped with a sweet & tangy strawberry basil topping in these perfect for summer Strawberry Basil Sour Cream Shortcakes...

Post updated 8/8/18- These sweet & tangy Strawberry Basil Sour Cream Shortcakes deserved some updated photos. I did leave one of the originals down below just so you all can see for yourself why this recipe so desperately needed a little face lift. ;)

So, who is excited that it is strawberry season now?  (Ummmmm... me, me, me!)

I love juicy, sweet strawberries. And I love them even more when they are in season and the prices per quart drop WAY down.

The strawberries I used in the shortcake above?  $1.50 at my local ALDI's!  And can I mention the ones that I picked up from there this past week were just 99 cents??

Strawberry-Coconut Crunch Layered French Toast

This delicious Strawberry-Coconut Crunch Layered French Toast is virtually guilt free thanks to nonfat Greek yogurt, fresh sliced strawberries, & crunchy Post Honey Bunches of Oats Greek Honey Crunch cereal...

This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Post Pebbles, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #PostWalgreens http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

I think by now you all know that I am a big fan of the make ahead, overnight french toast casserole.  But most of the french toast casserole recipes that I have shared with you all up until now have been decadent, bordering on almost qualifying as a dessert. ;)

I have been brainstorming ideas for making and sharing a healthier french toast casserole recipe with you all.  And I found my recipe inspiration while shopping at my local Walgreens for some of our favorite Post cereals...

So, today I am sharing with you all this Strawberry-Coconut Crunch Layered French Toast perfect for whipping up for Easter morning (or any spring weekend morning!).

I have made this delicious french toast casserole virtually guilt free by making it with nonfat Greek yogurt, fresh sliced strawberries, & crunchy Post Honey Bunches of Oats Greek Honey Crunch cereal.  

I absolutely love the addition of the Honey Bunches of Oats Greek cereal to this- it gives it a nice, crunchy texture and adds even more protein and whole grains to this healthy, perfect for spring french toast casserole...

Strawberry-White Beet Green Smoothie

Packed with vitamins, nutrients, & antioxidants, this thick & creamy Strawberry-White Beet Green Smoothie is the perfect way to get in those leafy greens...

This recipe first appeared on the Bridgeport Farmers Market Let's Get Fresh site.

I am on a mission once again this outdoor farmers market season to show you all how you can create a delicious recipe purchasing mostly locally grown & raised produce and meats at your local farmers market. I started this locally inspired recipe series in the summer of 2017, and I am thrilled to be continuing the series this year as well. Each month I will be sharing a recipe here to the blog inspired by and featuring some of my own personal favorite fresh & local finds from my local market. 

For the month of June, I am sharing the recipe for this vitamin & nutrient packed Strawberry-White Beet Green Smoothie. Since I started on my journey to a healthier lifestyle a few months ago, smoothies- especially green smoothies - have become an integral part of my diet. I start out most days with a creamy smoothie blended with lots of the good stuff- frozen fruit, leafy greens, green tea, & chia seeds. 

3 Easy Dessert "Pizza" Muffins

With 3 different topping combinations to choose from, these Easy Dessert "Pizza" Muffins are the perfect no-bake treat for summertime...

This post is sponsored by Thomas' English Muffins & Megaphone. All opinions expressed below are 100% my own.

Who else happens to be a fan of no-bake recipes for those hot summer days? When the temperatures rise & the humidity is on, the last thing I want to do is turn on my oven to whip up a sweet treat for myself & the kiddos. That's why when Thomas' English Muffins asked me to come up with a perfect for summertime recipe that went beyond the breakfast table, I knew I wanted to create a dessert recipe that was simple & easy and required no baking time whatsoever.

I stopped in at my local Walmart & picked up everything that I would need to make these Easy Dessert "Pizza" Muffins, including my favorite Thomas' Light Multigrain English Muffins. These dessert "pizzas" go from toaster to table in just 20 minutes! Plus with 3 varieties to choose from & make, there is sure to be a perfect dessert muffin for each member of your family.

Summer Simple Syrup 3 Ways

It would suffice to say that I love summer drinks.  

Be it with rum or vodka... or without. ;)

Believe it or not, I made simple syrup for the very first time at home just earlier this summer.  Yes.  I was one of those people who actually bought a bottle of sugared up water at the liquor store. 

Once I read how ridiculously easy it was to make your own simple syrup at home, I literally planted a palm to my forehead.  

Had I really been paying for sugar and water??  Oy!

Those of you who have been following me for the past couple of months know my obsession with mojitos.  You probably saw (and hopefully pinned!) my recipe for Spiced Pineapple Mojitos.  Or perhaps you caught my drinks contributor post on White Lights on Wednesday for my Blueberry Ginger Mojitos.  ;) 

Well, simple syrup is essential for the perfect mojito, my friends.  

Essential.

I decided to start experimenting with infusing simple syrups with my favorite flavors of summer- strawberry, blueberry, and basil.

The results were amazing.

Today I am going to be sharing with you all the recipes for my Summer Simple Syrup 3 Ways, but over the next couple of weeks I will be sharing some delicious and refreshing beverages you can easily make with them.  

And think WAY beyond the mojito, folks.  That would be too easy... ;)

Summer Simple Syrups 3 Ways

by Frugal Foodie Mama

Prep Time: 2-5 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes (includes steeping

6051202

Ingredients (3 pint jars of simple syrup)

For the simple syrup base (you will need this for all 3 simple syrup recipes)

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup water

For the Basil Simple Syrup

• 1 large handful of fresh basil leaves, torn

For the Strawberry Simple Syrup

• 1 cup of hulled and chopped strawberries (about 5 large strawberries)

For the Blueberry Simple Syrup

• 1 cup of fresh blueberries

Instructions

To create the simple syrup for each flavor, you will need the base of 1 cup of sugar to 1 cup water. You will combine the sugar and the water in a small saucepan and heat until slightly boiling and the sugar is completely dissolved. You can choose to leave this plain- If you do so, just allow it to cool completely before transferring to a glass jar.

You could also choose to make all 3 syrups at one time. To do this combine 3 cups of sugar with 3 cups of water in a large saucepan. Heat til slightly boiling and all the sugar is dissolved. Then divide into 3 different bowls to infuse.

To make the Basil Simple Syrup

Drop the handful of basil leaves into the simple syrup immediately after removing it from the heat. Give it a quick stir. Allow the basil leaves to steep in the syrup for at least 30 minutes. The longer you allow it to infuse, the stronger the basil flavor will be.

When done infusing, strain the syrup through a wire mesh strainer into a glass jar. Refrigerate.

To make the Strawberry Simple Syrup

Saute the strawberries in a small frying pan for 2-3 minutes. Drop them into the simple syrup immediately after removing it from the heat. Give it a quick stir. Allow the strawberries to steep in the syrup for at least 30 minutes. The longer you allow it to infuse, the stronger the strawberry flavor will be.

When done infusing, strain the syrup through a wire mesh strainer into a glass jar. Refrigerate.

To make the Blueberry Simple Syrup

Saute the blueberries in a small frying pan for 3-4 minutes. You want most of the berries to burst open. Drop them into the simple syrup immediately after removing it from the heat. Give it a quick stir. Allow the blueberries to steep in the syrup for at least 30 minutes. The longer you allow it to infuse, the stronger the blueberry flavor will be.

When done infusing, strain the syrup through a wire mesh strainer into a glass jar. Refrigerate.

The jars of lidded simple syrup will keep in the fridge for 1-2 months.

Powered by Recipage

I actually made all 3 of the syrups right before our 4th of July barbecue. I whipped up a picture of plain mojitos (sans the simple syrup) and let my family pour their own mojitos and then add whichever (and how much) of the flavored simple syrups themselves.  It was a fun self-serve mojito bar- perfect for a cookout! (And I wasn't stuck muddling limes and mint all evening when someone needed another drink- genius!)

These simple syrups are also perfect for simply flavoring and sweetening your favorite iced tea or a glass of club soda. 

I have 3 fun drinks coming your all's way using these Summer Simple Syrups.  

Believe me when I say they will be going WAY beyond flavoring and sweetening your simple mojito.

If you could infuse a simple syrup with a flavor that says summer to you, what would it be? :)