STRAWBERRY PINEAPPLE SALSA
This tangy sweet salsa is perfect for grilled meat or chicken. The taste is sweet and sour.
1 Cup (240 mL) pineapple 1 /2 Cup (120 mL) mango 1 Cup (240 mL) strawberries 1 Tbsp (15 mL) ginger 2 Tbsp (30 mL) lemon juice 2 tsp (10 mL) sugar
Finely chop pineapple, mango and strawberries. Mix together with the ginger and lemon juice. If the mixture is too thick, add a little water. Add sugar to taste.
STRAWBERRY MUFFINS
If you have leftovers store them in the freezer. For a quick breakfast, simply reheat muffins in the oven at 350°F/175°C for 10 minutes.
2 eggs 2/3 Cup (160 mL) sugar 1/2 Cup (120 mL) milk 1/4 Cup (60 mL) plain yogurt 1 tsp (5 mL) vanilla 1/2 stick butter, melted and cooled 2 Cups (480 mL) flour 1 Tbsp (15 mL) baking powder 1/4 tsp (1.25 mL) salt 1/4 tsp (1.25 mL) cinnamon 1 1/2 Cups (360 mL) strawberries, hulled and cut in chunks
Preheat oven to 375°F/200°C. Grease muffin tins or line with paper cups. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs and sugar until light. Add milk, yogurt, vanilla, and melted butter. Gently whisk. In another bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Add to milk mixture and stir just until flour disappears. Gently stir in berries.
Spoon thick batter into muffin cups to the top. Bake about 25 minutes, until toothpick comes out clean. Invert and cool on rack.
TURKEY-STRAWBERRY PASTA SALAD
6 ounces radiatori or rotelli pasta 1 medium apple, cored and cut into thin slices 1 Tbsp (15 mL) lime or lemon juice 1/2 pound smoked turkey breast, cut into bite-size pieces 1 Cup (240 mL) fresh strawberries, quartered 1/2 Cup (120 mL) celery, sliced 1/4 Cup (60 mL) fat-free, plain yogurt 2 Tbsp (30 mL) mayonnaise or salad dressing 2 Tbsp (30 mL) skim milk 4 tsp (20 mL) Dijon-style mustard 1/4 tsp (1.25 mL) celery seed 1 Tbsp (15 mL) fresh marjoram leaves
Prepare pasta as directed on the package. Rinse with cold water and drain. Toss apple slices with lemon juice to coat. Combine the cooked pasta, apple, turkey, strawberries. and celery in a bowl.
To make the dressing
Mix yogurt, mayonnaise (or salad dressing), milk, mustard, and celery seed in a small bowl. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat. Garnish with marjoram.
Strawberries contain potassium, manganese, fluorine, copper, iron, and iodine. Potassium helps control heart rate and blood pressure. Manganese is used by the body as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase. Copper is required in the production of red blood cells.
Strawberries are low in calories and fats, but are a rich source of many health promoting phytonutrients, minerals, and vitamins that are essential for optimum health.
Strawberries have significantly high amounts of phenolic flavonoid phytochemicals called anthocyanins and ellagic acid. Scientific studies show that consumption of strawberries may help combat cancer, aging, inflammation, and neurological diseases.
Fresh strawberries are an excellent source of vitamin-C, a powerful natural antioxidant. Consumption of fruits rich in vitamin C helps the body develop resistance against infectious agents, counter inflammation, and scavenge harmful free radicals.
Strawberries are rich in B-complex vitamins, including vitamin B-6, niacin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid and folic acid. These vitamins help the body metabolize carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
Strawberries contain vitamin A, vitamin E, and many health promoting flavonoid poly-phenolic antioxidants, including lutein, zeaxanthin, and beta-carotene in small amounts. These compounds help act as protective scavengers against oxygen-derived free radicals and reactive oxygen species that play a role in aging and various disease processes.