Billie Landry The annual Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival, annually April fete, is in full swing as you read this article. February through April is considered prime season. Boo and I have been to the fest when there were no strawberries, just a good time. New varieties have lengthened harvesting season. With fresh strawberries, treat choices are amazing with strawberry ice cream, strawberry cakes, muffins, and pancakes to name a few. There are strawberry daiquiris, martinis, and margaritas. Local antique stores and street artisans abound.
Last time we went, I bought a large, beautiful red bowl that holds fruit and snacks on our kitchen counter. Lucious berries were available at the supermarket lately, sweet and ready to eat but grown in California. Louisiana varieties should be available soon. We plan on taking I-12 going home from Augusta hoping to buy a crate of strawberries along the way. Hopefully I can bring some fresh ones home to my brother Myron, who needs a treat to help him deal with a health problem. LAYERED PEANUT BUTTER DIP Great treat for peanut butter lovers INGREDIENTS -8 oz cream cheese, softened -1/2 cup peanut butter -1 cup Marshmallow Fluff -1 cup powdered sugar -1/2 tsp vanilla -Pinch salt -Melted peanut butter. MISE EN PLACE -In a large bowl, beat together cream cheese, peanut butter, Fluff, powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt.
-Transfer dip to an attractive correct-sized bowl. -Place sliced strawberries over dip, optional. -Drizzle with melted peanut butter. -Fresh or canned fruit are good “dippers.” The ones that are friendly to peanut butter are pineapple chunks, green or red grapes, bananas (ask Elvis), kiwi, cantaloupe, and whole strawberries. Crackers always make good dippers, especially if you decide to add the sliced strawberries to the dip. Ritz crackers, Sociables, Cheez-It Bigs, Nut-Thins, Wavy Potato Chips are just few choices. These all produce that salty/sweet flavor that is so good.
LAYERED SWEET DIP Lovely dessert Dip with cookies of your choice INGREDIENTS -2 1/4 cups whole milk -1 (3.9 oz) package chocolate flavored instant pudding and pie filling -1 (24 oz) package no-bake cheesecake filling ( such as Philadelphia) -2 cups chopped or crumbled brownies -2 1/2 cups fresh strawberries (16 oz) container -2 cups heavy whipping cream -2 tbsp vanilla extract* -2 tbsp powdered sugar or to taste, optional -1/2 cup maraschino cherries with stems -2 tbsp shaved dark chocolate, from 3.5 oz 70% cacao chocolate candy bar MISE EN PLACE -Whisk milk and instant pudding mix together in a large bowl until dissolved, about 2 minutes. -Set aside until thickened, about 5 minutes. -Spread cheesecake filling in an even layer in the bottom of an 8- or 9-inch square glass inches. -Sprinkle crumblef brownies next. -Spread thickened pudding mix over cheesecake filling. -Arrange chopped strawberries in an even layer over brownies. -Beat cream, sugar, and vanilla with an electric mixer in a large bowl until medium-stiff peaks form, 2 to 3 minutes.
-Spoon whipped cream mixture over strawberries, or just buy Cool Whip Extra Creamy. -Arrange cherries over whipped cream. -Sprinkle with shaved chocolate. All of the cracker choices listed under the Layered Peanut Butter dip will work here. *I’ve made a similar dip, but 2 tablespoons of vanilla sounds like too much to me. Two teaspoons seem better to me, although vanilla is not my favorite flavoring. Sometimes vanilla is necessary; if not I use almond extract.
STRAWBERRY SPINACH SALAD A welcome favorite Good as a meal or side salad INGREDIENTS -10 oz bag fresh spinach in produce department -Small bag iceberg lettuce or Romaine* -2 1/2 cups quartered strawberries -1/2 cup roasted nuts, such as pecans, walnuts, almonds, or your nut favorite.** -4 oz Feta, blue cheese, or goat cheese*** -Small sliced red onion**** -Dressing of choice MISE EN PLACE -Chop spinach into bite-size pieces. I like finely chopped. -Chop iceberg or Romaine into similar sizes. -Toss greens together. -Add strawberries. -Sprinkle nuts over salad. Suggested salad dressings are several choices; Brianna’s Poppy Seed Dressing, Marie’s or Marzetti’s Spinach Salad Dressing, or vinaigrette such as apple cider, balsamic, or raspberries.
These are well-known popular dressing for spinach salad. Your own favorite dressing may work, but these mentioned marry the spinach and the strawberries. *A spinach salad purist would frown on mention of another salad green. Adding another lettuce makes the salad base of spinach a little easier to chew without radically changing the flavor. **Roasting the nuts provides flavor and aroma that enhances the popularity. ***These pungent cheese ingredients are prevalent in spinach salad dressings. Boo doesn’t eat any of this, so my spinach salads are single serving size.
****In researching, I found several recipes that include onions. Add the onions right before the strawberries. I have not included them, but I like raw onions. Maybe I will try that, but cutting up an onion for such a small amount is not my habit. Boo always buys frozen onion for cooking. STRAWBERRY SOUP Great appetizer for ladies luncheon INGREDIENTS -5 cups quartered strawberries -1/4 cup sugar -1/2 tsp salt -1 cup sparkling wine, such as prosecco -Place strawberries in a blender. I process about 3/4 of strawberries and leave some quarter.
I like to chew my food. -Sprinkle with sugar or salt, -Process until smooth. -Cover and chill for at least 2 hours. -Stir in prosecco just before serving, or add to bowl of each person at their preference of amount of bubbles. Masters Week has been an annual trip for Boo 33 years now, only skipping the Covid year when no spectators were allowed. I’ve been at least 20 times, and since I don’t have Boo’s energy, only half the week is on my schedule now. I’m finishing up this missive en route to Augusta Thursday morning.
Weather app says temperatures are in high 40’s, which is chilly for me, but highs in the mid 80’s are expected Saturday and Sunday. It’s a beautiful sunny drive to Augusta this morning. Coy, my chauffeur, is a careful driver and a great conversationist. It’s a very pleasant trip. Jusqu’a la semaine prochaine! billielandry@iosinces,com Lifestyle
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