Strawberry Season Is Upon Us, How Berry Exciting

This afternoon my father-in-law dropped in with a sweet surprise.  You see, once summer hits, Duncan (my father-in-law – Ian’s Dad) loves to go berry picking.  

He favours low bush blueberries and is happy to head home with a few scratches, or rather battle wounds, from tackling raspberry bushes. Is it worth it? Absolutely!

Today we were treated to a big bowl full of fresh strawberries. And I have to say . . . they are without doubt the best strawberries I have ever tasted; sweet, juicy, and packed full of flavour. 

 So if you want to get in on the berry picking action here are some spots for you in the Prince County area: 

Rennie’s U Pick - Strawberries(where our delicious Strawberries came from) 

Weldon Rennie, Elmsdale, PE C0B 1K0. Phone: (902) 853-2667. Open: Phone ahead, usually Monday to Saturday, 8 am to 8 pm.

Blue Acre Farms - Blueberries
15623 Rte 14, Tignish, PE C0B 2B0. Phone: (902) 882-3410. Open: The typical season is August 1 to September 7.  U-pick or in 10lb boxes, roadside farm, custom picking. 

Eureka Garlic -  Garlic
6 Rte. 233, Kensington, PE C0B 1M0. Phone: (902) 836-5180. Email: al@eurekagarlic.ca.  Open: Daily. They sell Seed and Eating Garlic, Black Garlic, and they have a U-Pick for their Garlic as well. Formerly known as Boo Boo's Bee Ranch Honey. Season: Year Round. 

Gaylden Orchard - Apples, honey, pears and fresh cider
Mills Point Road, off Route 106, Kensington, PE . Phone: (902) 836-4230. Open: Daily, 9 am to dusk; the typical season is October to November. Apples, honey, pears, preserves and fresh cider. U-pick and farm gate. Honey and cider available all year.

And if you don’t have time to go picking but want your fill of Strawberries, why not check out the Strawberry Social this Sunday at the Bideford Parsonage Museum from 1:30 pm.

Nature's Spears - Asparagus

Asparagus

Making their grand entrance in Spring, Asparagus is the perfect vegetable to include in warm or cool dishes. Which, let's face it, is perfect for our up and down weather at the moment. 

The benefits

Asparagus is a very good source of fibre, foliate, vitamins A, C, E and K, as well as chromium, a trace mineral that enhances the ability of insulin to transport glucose from the bloodstream into cells.  It's one of the top ranked fruits and vegetables for its ability to neutralize cell-damaging free radicals. This may help slow the aging process and reduce inflammation.

These all mighty spears also act as a natural diuretic. Containing high levels of the amino acid asparagine, which not only releases fluid but helps rid the body of excess salts. 

To make the most of this seasons Asparagus here are some recipes that you may like to try: 

Asparagus salad with fetta and pistachios

Ingredients: 

• 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 3 lemons, zested, juiced
• 2 tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
• 2 bunches large asparagus with the woody ends removed
• 4 radishes, thinly shaved on a mandolin or vegetable peeler
• 2 avocados, pitted, peeled, thinly sliced
• 60g fetta cheese, thinly sliced
• 1/3 cup pistachios, toasted, coarsely chopped

Method: 

Step 1

In a medium bowl, whisk oil, 1/3 cup lemon juice, 1 tablespoon lemon zest, dill and parsley. Season vinaigrette with salt and pepper.

Step 2

Thinly slice asparagus diagonally. In a large bowl, toss asparagus with half the vinaigrette to coat. Set aside, tossing occasionally, for 5 mins or until asparagus has softened slightly. Fold in radishes. Season with salt and pepper.

Step 3

Arrange avocado slices on a large platter and top with asparagus mixture. Spoon remaining vinaigrette over salad. Sprinkle fetta and pistachios over and serve.

Poached chicken with asparagus & sesame

Ingredients:

• 3 x 170g chicken breast fillets
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 3 teaspoons sesame oil
• 4 spring onions, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
• 3 bunches asparagus, blanched for 2 minutes in boiling water, refreshed
• 60g baby Asian salad leaves or mixed baby salad leaves 

Method:

Step 1

Place the chicken in a saucepan and pour over enough water to just cover. Season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, then cover with a lid. Bring to the boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove the lid and stand the chicken in the liquid for 10 minutes. Drain and thickly slice. Set aside.

Step 2 

Combine vinegar, tamari, sesame oil, spring onions and sesame seeds in a bowl and whisk to combine.

Step 3

Divide the asparagus, salad leaves and chicken among serving plates and drizzle with the dressing.

Asparagus and goats cheese frittata

Ingredients: 

• 12 eggs, lightly whisked
• 1/2 cup thin cream
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped dill
• 20g butter
• 1 leek, white part only, thinly sliced
• 2 bunches asparagus, trimmed, diagonally cut into 3cm pieces
• 100g goats cheese, crumbled

Method: 

Step 1

Preheat grill on high. Whisk the eggs, cream and dill together in a medium bowl. Season well with salt and pepper.

Step 2

Melt the butter in a large (20cm base measurement) frying pan over medium heat until foaming. Add the leek and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until leek softens. Add the asparagus and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes or until bright green and tender but still crisp.

Step 3 

Pour egg mixture over the leek mixture in frying pan. Gently stir to combine. Reduce heat to low and cook for 4-5 minutes or until frittata is almost set but the top is still runny. Remove from heat. Sprinkle the goats cheese evenly over the top.

Step 4 

Place the frying pan under preheated grill for 2 minutes or until frittata is set and top is lightly browned. Use a spatula to loosen the frittata and slide onto a clean work surface. Cut into wedges and place on serving plates. Serve immediately.

Enjoy!