UK strawberries large size warning to supermarket shoppers
A bright and sunny March and April have been perfect for British strawberries, mostly grown in polytunnels. As a result, plants are yielding giant 50g berries. It's not just about size - the flavour is excellent too - with a great flavour and a natural sweetness.
Even better, many supermarkets have so many berries, they are discounting prices, so customers can make the most of the summer staple.
Ricky Zeiderman, culinary director at BergHOFF GB, says: "The strawberries hitting shelves this month are larger and sweeter than we usually see, and that's down to a mix of warm spring sunshine and cool overnight temperatures. It's a weather pattern growers love because it pushes both size and flavour at once.
"What most people don't realise is that these plumper strawberries are actually brilliant for more than just puddings. Because they hold their shape and work beautifully when roasted with balsamic, stirred into risottos for a sweet-savoury twist, or even grilled on skewers for summer barbecues.
"When the fruit is this good, it's worth thinking beyond just cream and meringue."
What to make with giant strawberries
To celebrate the bumper strawberry harvest, Ricky has come up with this budget-friendly Victoria Sponge recipe.
"With the price of home baking soaring in recent years, baking a sponge has turned from an affordable treat to a costly indulgence," he says.
"When looking for a budget meal and dessert, try this delicious food with butter cream and fresh strawberries. Switching out some ingredients will make a vegan cake.
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Ingredients
200g plain flour + 2 tsp baking powder, instead of self raising flour
150g margarine, as a butter replacement (also keeping cake fresh)
150g brown sugar, instead of caster sugar
3 tbsp vegetable oil for extra moisture
2 eggs or ½ cup yogurt as a cheaper alternative
½ tsp vanilla essence instead of pure vanilla extract
100ml milk, oat milk, coconut milk or alternative for a vegan option
100g jam, strawberry jam and raspberry, home-made or cheaper works great.
100ml whipped cream or 100g Greek yogurt for a cheaper cake recipe
Optional Topping:
Strawberries and icing sugar for dusting
(Image: ASIFE)
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