BPI | Fresh Picked Strawberries
12:38 PM
The Taste of Summer: Fresh Picked Strawberries
Heart
Shaped Strawberry Half
by Paul Williams.
When it comes to Maine Summers those first few days bring on a feeling
of nostalgia.
Here are 5 thoughts that give me a feeling of summertime:
1.
Days spent on the beach resulting in sun kissed
skin (or in my case sunburned)
2.
Those warm evenings spent around a campfire
toasting marshmallows, resulting in sticky hands that were much worth the mess
3.
The sight of fireflies fading in and out just
after sunset
4.
Sitting on the bow of my father’s sailboat, wind
causing my hair to dance
5.
Picking strawberries with my mom, sneaking a
berry here and there.
Of the above
list, numbers 1-4 remain activities that continue for the full extent of summer.
It’s
bittersweet that number 5 is a seasonal experience that lasts for a few, short
weeks
but there’s
something about a juicy, fresh strawberry that’s still warm from the sun...
At Black Point Inn we are taking full advantage of this
season for fresh and local organic strawberries.
We’re lucky enough to purchase these delightful red berries
from just down the road at Moore Brook Farms.
So what to do with all those Berries?
Here’s our most recent drink special, it’s an excellent
choice to cool down from the heat;
Strawberry Smash
1 heaping
bar spoon (about 1T) Strawberry Balsamic Mix*
¼ oz lemonade
2 sprigs basil
Soda
Shake
Lemonade, Strawberry Balsamic Mix, and Basil over ice
Pour “dirty”
ice into a tall glass, strain remaining liquid as well
Top with
soda
Garnish with
a twist of lemon, strawberry, or basil
-Great with
Gin, Vodka, or Tequila
*Strawberry Balsamic Mix
8-10
Strawberries—chopped
2 T Sugar
2 T Balsamic
Reduction
Toss
strawberries in sugar until the strawberries start to ‘sweat’ and then toss the
strawberries with the Balsamic Reduction
For the
reduction, in a saucepan reduce equal parts Balsamic Vinegar and Port Wine with
¼ part Confectioners’ Sugar down to a syrup consistency
Here’s a
refreshing side to bring to your next outdoor dinner party, courtesy of our
Pastry Chef Ben Rollins
Strawberry Melon Fruit Salad
Ingredients
½ honey dew,
cubed into ¼” pieces
½
cantaloupe, cubed into ¼” pieces
1 pint
strawberries, roughly chopped
2 T lemon
juice
1 t vanilla
extract
Pinch of
salt
½ C sugar
6 mint leaves,
finely sliced
3 T Orange
Marmalade
Prep all
ingredients as instructed. Toss together. Cover well and refrigerate 4-6 hours,
tossing occasionally to blend flavors well.
The fruit salad can be served as is…
OR Chef Rollins recommends serving it over gelée, top it with butter cookies or your favorite nut.
Here is
Chef’s Basil Gelée recipe
Basil Gelée
Ingredients
1 C fresh basil leaves
2 C water
¾ C sugar
1 t vanilla extract
Pinch salt
3 t gelatin
Heat all ingredients (except gelatin) to
boil, steep 10 minutes. Process in food processor and strain. Add gelatin and
divide into cups or bowls. Refrigerate 4 hours.
According to the Portland Press Herald, a lush strawberry season is
underway.
Strawberry Season is here for now; head on
out and grab some berries before it’s over!
What brings on your summertime nostalgia?
Please share your thoughts and comments! If
you have any questions send them to events@blackpointinn.com.
Cheers!
Dani Paul
Social Media Director
Black Point Inn
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