Easy Strawberry Vanilla Freezer Jam

Don't fill your jars this high! Leave about an inch of space at the top of your jars.

Strawberry season is here in British Columbia! I haven't been to a u-pick strawberry field in years but would love to take the kids to one this year...I think it should be a rite of passage for every child :) And then, of course, I'd put them to work making freezer jam! As I've said before I prefer freezer jam over traditional jam making because the boiling, sealing etc etc scares me ... though I have friends that insist it's not that hard. I'm sure they're right but freezer jam is sooooo easy - crush, mix, pour, repeat! And it take less than 45 minutes to finish the whole process.

Last weekend we made this strawberry vanilla freezer jam but I could have just as easily called it strawberry lemon freezer jam. The vanilla isn't really discernible but it does add an almost secret layer of flavour to the strawberries. The lemon zest on the other-hand is absolutely noticeable! The combination of strawberries and citrus is perfect and makes for jam that tastes incredibly fresh, light and flavourful. My son said this is the best jam he's ever had and asked if he could skip the toast and just drink the jam! Yes, it's that good.

Ingredients

4 c strawberries, crushed (pulse in a food processor)
1-1/2 c sugar
1 package (45 g) freezer pectin
zest of 1 large lemon (2-3 tsp)
1 tsp pure vanilla

What to do

1. Stir sugar, zest and pectin in a large bowl.
2. Add crushed strawberries and vanilla.
3. Stir for 3 minutes.
4. Spoon into 5 250ml preserving jars stopping about an inch from the top of the jar.
5. Wipe clean and add lid and ring. Close tightly.
6. Let sit for 30 minutes so it thickens.

Refrigerate - will last up to 3 weeks otherwise freeze for longer storage.


Try these other easy freezer jams!

• Strawberry Rhubarb Freezer Jam
• Raspberry Lime Freezer Jam

Orange Surprise Smoothie

The surprise in this smoothie is the addition of prunes. Prunes are surprisingly sweet and blend well (if your blender motor is pretty good). Did you notice most prunes are now labelled as dried plums? Marketing peeps thinks the marketing ploy will attract more people willing to try this nutritious fruit. And really what's not to like? They contain beneficial amounts of fiber, vitamin k, and potassium, so no matter what you call them, throw a few in your next smoothie and enjoy!

If your strawberries are very sweet you can omit the maple syrup!

Ingredients

1 orange, peeled
4 large strawberries
3-4 prunes
1 cup plain low fat yogurt
1 tbsp maple syrup

Instructions

Blend all ingredients until smooth. If too thick add water and blend again. Makes one large or two small smoothies.

A great way to start your day!

The Refresher Smoothie

I'm not a big fan of kale - unless it's in a smoothie. I thought the kale and strawberries would shine in this smoothie but I was wrong! The ginger is the star of the show here. Even though you don't use much its flavour and refreshing nature gets top billing.

Speaking of top billing, are you watching the Oscars tonight? I am but have to admit that I haven't watched many of the nominated shows this year (except the animation ones - thanks kids!). Oh well, my favorite part is the pre-show red carpet reports - who will be the best dressed?? My money is on Lupita Nyong'o!

Makes 2 smoothies.

Ingredients

handful of frozen sliced strawberries
1/2 ripe avocado
1 cup chopped frozen kale
1 inch piece of peeled ginger, chopped
2 tsp ginger syrup (optional)
1.5 cups low fat milk
water to cover (if needed)

Instructions

Blend everything in Nutribullet or blender until smooth and desired consistency is reached.

Other smoothies you should try:

Green Goodness

Avocado Strawberry Smoothie

Blueberry Mango Smoothie

Blueberry Banana Tofu Smoothie

Pomegranate and Kale Smoothie

Strawberry Muesli Smoothie

Detox Lemon Spinach Smoothie

Avocado Chocolate Smoothie
Strawberry Citrus Squeeze

Orange Strawberry Pineapple Smoothie aka the Strawberry Citrus Squeeze

We woke up to snow this morning! Snow! Now, I know many of you are wondering what the big deal is but come on, this is Vancouver in late February...it doesn't snow in late February in Vancouver. The last time I remember it snowing this late in February was three years ago.Of course, it won't last long before the rain asserts its dominance because this is Vancouver after all!

This smoothie is so simple but it is truly one of my favorite smoothies. Just strawberries, an orange, pineapple and water aka the Strawberry Citrus Squeeze. It is so refreshing and light tasting! To me, it's summer in a glass...if only I could find my sun glasses...and the sun....and it would stop snowing!

Makes 1 large smoothie.

Ingredients

4 strawberries
1/2 cup pineapple
1 medium orange, peeled
1 cup ice cold water

Instructions

Throw in blender or Nutribullet and blend until smooth.


Other smoothies you should try:
Green Goodness
Avocado Strawberry Smoothie
Blueberry Mango Smoothie
Blueberry Banana Tofu Smoothie
Pomegranate and Kale Smoothie
Strawberry Muesli Smoothie
Detox Lemon Spinach Smoothie
Avocado Chocolate Smoothie

Chocolate Avocado Smoothie

To me, this smoothie tastes like chocolate pudding. In fact, if you cut down the milk to just 1 cup you could serve it as a healthy pudding! This is a great afternoon snack for the kids and adults since it will keep them full until dinner-thanks to the fiber in the avocado and strawberries. It also satisfies my mid-afternoon sweet craving!

I know some people stay away from avocados because of the fruit's high fat content as about 85% an avocado's calories are from fat. It's important to remember that the fat found in an avocado is mostly the good kind called monounsaturated fat (same as found in olive oil).

Did you know?

• One avocado has 1/2 the recommended daily fibre for a woman? 
• Many believe avocados have anti-inflammation properties.
• The are also known as "alligator pears" due to the appearance of their skin and shape.
• 1/2 of an avocado provides 25% of the daily recommended amount of folate we need.

The deep chocolate flavour is thanks to the cocoa. If your strawberries are quite sweet you won't need the honey but the ones I have are rather tart so a little extra sweetness is needed.

Makes 2 smoothies.

Ingredients

1 ripe medium avocado
1 heaping tbsp cocoa
1-1/2 cups milk
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 tbsp honey (optional)
1 cup frozen strawberries

Instructions

Place in blender or Nutribullet and blend until smooth.

Other smoothies you should try:
Green Goodness
Avocado Strawberry Smoothie
Blueberry Mango Smoothie
Blueberry Banana Tofu Smoothie
Pomegranate and Kale Smoothie
Strawberry Muesli Smoothie
Detox Lemon Spinach Smoothie
Cranberry Orange Antioxidant Smoothie

Strawberry Muesli Smoothie

Ever since I bought a Nutriblender, the entire family is on a smoothie kick. The kids want them every morning. We usually keep it to just fruit and milk but when it's more of a meal on the run vs a snack we've been adding muesli and yogourt to "beef" them up. Our muesli brand of choice is Dorset Cereals. In this smoothie we used "simply nutty" but this morning we opened their "super cranberry, cherry and almond" muesli - yet another delicious box! We made some no bake chocolate muesli "cookies" (they are more like a confection) with it - a future blog post!

This is the smoothie we had today.

Ingredients

1/2 cup greek yogourt
1 cup milk
1/2 cup muesli (I used Dorset Cereal's Simply Nutty)
6 fresh strawberries
1/2 cup frozen peaches
1 small orange (peeled of course)

Instructions

Blend until desired consistency is reached.
Makes two smoothies.

Fresh Strawberry Coffee Cake

Spring 2011, in Vancouver, was cold...I swear the sun went on vacation for 4 months. As a result, many crops are behind about 3 weeks or so including strawberries. But they are finally starting to appear at our local markets. Is there anything better than local strawberries?! Sweet, ruby red little bites of goodness vs the often large and bland ones we import during the fall and winter months. My 5 yr old son didn't quite know what to make of the local berries when he first saw them - smaller and often in a slightly less than perfect "strawberry shape" he thought there was something wrong with them! lol. Of course, once he popped one in his mouth all misgivings were gone.

Ingredients
1 cup flour
1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup milk
1 egg
3 tbsp melted butter, cooled a bit
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups sliced strawberries

Topping
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup butter

What to do
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Grease an 8x8 pan.
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.
In another bowl mix milk, eggs, and melted butter.
Add wet to dry ingredients and beat until well mixed.
Pour into prepared pan.
Place strawberries on top of batter.
In another bowl, combine topping ingredients until it looks like coarse crumbs.
Spread evenly over strawberries.
Bake for 45 minutes.

Candy Coated Chocolate Strawberries

Local strawberry season doesn't start till June but I couldn't wait another month when I came across some beautiful organic strawberries at the market last week. After enjoying their pure unadulterated goodness right out of the carton (well, after washing them), I thought I would jazz up the rest with chocolate! And to please the kids we added some sprinkles and sugar...so cute and delcious!



Ingredients:
1 cup milk chocolate chips
12 strawberries
1/3 cup each of various sprinkles and/or sanding sugar
12 lollipop sticks (optional)

Melt the milk chocolate chips in a bowl set over a small pot of simmering water or melt in microwave (full power 30 seconds, stir, reheat for 10 second intervals and stir again if needed) .

Poke a strawberry with a fork or lollpop stick and dip it into the melted chocolate.

Immediately roll in your favorite sprinkles or sanding sugar. Lay on a baking sheet covered in waxed paper or a silpat to set or if on sticks place in mug or glass (strawberry up!) until set.
 
So simple, so delicious. Enjoy!