Cheese & Berry Bouquets
Ingredients:
Baby Bell cheeses or thick cheeses of choice
Strawberries washed and dried
Raspberries rinsed and patted dry
Blackberries rinsed and patted dry
Red grapes, separated into small clusters
For Assembly:
Wooden skewers or toothpicks
Decorative paper or cellophane
Ribbon or twine for tying.
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Directions:
1. Wash and dry the berries thoroughly.
2. Keep the stems on the strawberries for a more elegant presentation.
3. Place the berries around the cheese on the platter, filling any gaps.
4. Assemble the Bouquet:
Take a wooden skewer or toothpick and thread a combination of cheese and berries onto it. You can mix and match to create colorful and visually appealing combinations.
Arrange the skewers in a bouquet shape. You can group them together to form a tight bouquet or spread them out for a more relaxed look.
Baked Strawberry Oat Bars
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Ingredients:
2 cups rolled oats.
1/2 cup coconut oil, melted.
1/3 cup maple syrup or agave nectar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 to 1.5 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and chopped, or 1 cup freeze-dried strawberries (if using freeze-dried, rehydrate them with a bit of water)
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional, such as almonds or walnuts)
Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a baking dish (8x8 inches or similar size) with parchment paper.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats and salt.
3. Add Wet Ingredients: Pour in the melted coconut oil, maple syrup (or agave nectar), and vanilla extract into the dry ingredients. Mix well until the ingredients are evenly combined.
4. Prepare the Base: Take about two-thirds of the oat mixture and press it firmly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. This forms the base of your bars.
5. Add Fresh or Rehydrated Strawberries: Spread the chopped fresh strawberries or rehydrated freeze-dried strawberries over the oat base.
6. Add Topping: To the remaining oat mixture, you can add chopped nuts if desired for added texture and flavor. Sprinkle this mixture over the strawberries, creating a crumbly topping.
7. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes or until the edges are golden brown.
8. Cool and Slice: Allow the bars to cool completely in the baking dish. Once cooled, lift the bars out using the parchment paper, and place them on a cutting board. Cut into squares or bars.
Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries
Ingredients:
1-pound fresh strawberries, washed and hulled
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Graham cracker crumbs for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
1. Wash the strawberries and cut off the tops (hull them). Make a small hollow in each strawberry using a small knife or a melon baller to create a cavity for the cheesecake filling.
2. Make the Cheesecake Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth and well combined.
3. Fill the Strawberries: Using a spoon or a piping bag, fill each strawberry with the cheesecake mixture. Fill them generously, allowing the filling to slightly mound on top.
4. Chill and Serve:
Place the stuffed strawberries in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the cheesecake filling to set.
