strawberry fields, forever

thirsty thursday
notes from maggie's farm

©from maggie's farm

Thanks to an almost absent winter and an especially warm spring, strawberries are enjoying an early entrance on the scene this season. 


While fresh strawberries can be found year-round in grocery store produce departments, the sweetest, and most nutrition-packed berries will be found in the farmers' markets and fields closest to you.  


With a bumper crop predicted around the country, we're looking forward to sharing strawberries, both sweet and savory, over the next few weeks.  Today, a pretty little cordial, and delicate berry pinwheels to share our recent bounty--Louisiana strawberries from a recent road trip, which made it's way into a homemade strawberry basil liqueur, and strawberries from our own Central Texas garden in these light, sweet, pretty little bites.

©from maggie's farm

strawberry fields cordial
serves 1


2 oz farmstead strawberry basil cordial liqueur (or strawberry liqueur of your choice)
1/2 oz brandy
1/2 oz light cream
1/2 oz sweetened condensed milk
crushed ice


Combine ingredients, above, in a cocktail shaker and blend well.  Strain into preferred cocktail glass.  Garnish with fresh strawberry, and sprig of mint or basil, as desired.

©from maggie's farm

spring berry pinwheels
yields 2 dozen
filling:  
2 cartons whipped cream cheese
2 T powdered sugar
2 T whipping cream
1 T lemon juice
1 lb fresh berries (we used strawberries, washed, destemmed, sliced.)
dough:
1/2 cup butter

3/4 cup white sugar
2 t vanilla extract
1 egg
1 and 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 t baking powder
1/2 t salt

©from maggie's farm

To cream cheese, add sugar, cream and lemon juice, and blend at high speed with a hand or stand mixer, until well-combined, light and fluffy. Fold in berries.  Set aside.


Cream the butter or margarine with the sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg.
Sift the flour, baking powder and salt together. Add flour mixture to the creamed mixture and stir well.

To Make Pinwheels: On waxed paper, roll out dough 1/4 to 1/2" thick. Spread filling to cover entire surface, save 1 inch at each vertical end. Peel end of dough from waxed paper and roll up like a jelly roll. Wrap whole roll in waxed paper, and chill dough thoroughly.

Slice cookies thinly and bake in a preheated 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) oven for 8 to 10 minutes.

Learn more about strawberries:
Strawberry Picking Tips
It's Fresh Strawberry Time!
Regional Strawberry Crop Availability Calendar

©from maggie's farm