I know that just about everyone has heard that old expression “Everything old is new again.” And lately that phrase has been very true for me. The last few weeks I had been working on a family cookbook for our upcoming reunion in beautiful Pennsylvania. The hand-written recipes by the sweet family that are very much in our hearts, but no longer with us have brought back memories of my childhood: family picnics, dinners together, birthdays, and family reunions.
While writing one memory kept coming to me and it involved strawberries. When I was growing up I loved strawberries (still do). When we went out for Sunday lunch at the S& S Cafeteria (no longer around) I would always get strawberry shortcake for dessert. At home my favorite thing was strawberries with cream. One of the best desserts ever!
 |
| In this photo: Stangl Pottery, Longaberger basket, old quilt from my late Grandmother, hand-made hearts from old material (made by Amy (my sister-in-law) |
Being summer and the memories flooding through my mind I felt like sharing a few strawberry recipes, along with a few old photos.
 |
||||||
| My Daddy and Papa |
 |
|
| Me (8 yrs) standing by the first car I ever remember my Daddy driving |
 |
|||
| One of my all time favorite photos (Papa holding me, my Uncle, my Dad. In front my Aunt and my sister. |
Strawberries and Cream
(Which I found out is a traditional English dessert and served at afternoon tea. Who knew this country girl had a slice of sophistication.)
Ingredients:
2 cups strawberries (cut in halves or quarters)
(divided into serving dishes)
Mix together:
2 cups half & half
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon of vanilla (optional)
Pour the cream mixture over the strawberries and serve.
 |
|
| In this photo ‘Stangl Pottery’; Flemington, New Jersey |
Strawberries and Balsamic Vinegar
Ingrediencts:
3 cups strawberries (halved or quartered)
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
syrup:
1/3 cup blasamic vinegar
2 teaspoons granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
Place berries in a bowl and toss with the brown sugar. Put aside so that the sugar dissolves and makes juice. This will take about 10 minutes.
For the syrup: place vinegar, sugar, and lemon juice in a saucepan. Simmer over medium heat until syrup is reduced to half. This will take about 3 minutes. Pour syrup into small bowl to cool completely.
After cooling, pour syrup over the berries and toss to combine. To serve divide the berries & syrup into individual bowls. Serve immediately.
Strawberries and Mascarpone Cream
Ingredients:
2 cups strawberries (halved or quarters)
1 Tablespoon sugar
Cream:
1 cup mascarpone cream cheese (softened)
1 cup plain yoghurt
1 Tablespoon sugar
1 vanilla pod (scrape out vanilla seeds)
Place strawberries in a bowl with the sugar. Toss to combine. Set aside.
In a large bowl whisk to combine mascarpone, yoghurt, sugar, and vanilla seeds. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
Divide the mascarpone cream into individual bowls and top with the berries.
Serve immediately.
Stay Cool and have a Wonderful Summer,
Lemongrass and Green Tea 
Leave a Reply