DIY Network

Storing and Cooking With Strawberries Storing and Cooking With Strawberries From "Fresh From the Orchard" episode DFFO-101

Kelly demonstrates how to store and wash berries to maintain their flavor and texture. She also shares some great recipes and serving tips that are sure to make your mouth water!

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Strawberries store better--and longer--if they aren't washed.

Storing Strawberries

After you pick a basket of berries, it's tempting to wash them right away, since they'll probably have a touch of garden soil on them. But strawberries will actually keep longer if they aren't washed.

Strawberries bruise easily, especially when they are ripe. Store the ones you're not going to use right away in a single layer in a shallow dish so they won't get mashed. Stored this way, they'll stay fresh in the refrigerator for a few days.

Washing Berries

Wash strawberries right before you eat or cook with them. Wash under cool running water and leave the stems and caps on. If you take the caps off before washing, the berries will absorb excess water and may get soggy.

Enjoying and Cooking With Strawberries

The best way to eat strawberries is whole and ripe: they're great by themselves or dipped in either confectioner's sugar or chocolate sauce.

Below are three great recipes from the Food Network Kitchens. You can find more strawberry recipes at www.FoodNetwork.com.

Chocolate-Covered Strawberries

Recipe courtesy of Food Network Kitchens.
Recipe © 2003 Television Food Network, G.P. All rights reserved

6 oz. semisweet chocolate, chopped
3 oz. white chocolate, chopped
1 lb. strawberries with stems (about 20), thoroughly washed and dried

1. Place the semisweet and white chocolates in two separate heatproof medium bowls. Fill two medium saucepans with a couple of inches of water and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Turn off the heat; set the bowls of chocolate over the water to melt, stirring until smooth. (Alternatively, melt the chocolates in a microwave at half power for one minute, stir and then heat for another minute or until melted.)

2. Once the chocolates are melted and smooth, remove from the heat. Line a sheet pan with parchment or waxed paper. Holding each strawberry by the stem, dip the fruit into the dark chocolate, lift and twist slightly, letting any excess chocolate fall back into the bowl. Set strawberries on the parchment paper. Repeat with the rest of the strawberries.

3. Dip a fork in the white chocolate and drizzle the white chocolate over the dipped strawberries.

4. Set the strawberries aside until the chocolate sets, about 30 minutes.

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