3 Ways With Strawberries: Fall In Love With This Berry Once Again

This is the perfect season for indulging in delicious and juicy fruits, and bright red tart-sweet strawberries are still available. Rich in antioxidants, strawberries not only make for great taste and nutrition, they can be used in your beauty routine as well. Here are three recipes that will make you fall in love with this beautiful and versatile fruit, all over again.

Strawberry and Balsamic Salad

A strawberry salad with balsamic dressing is the perfect example of fresh deliciousness on a plate. Light and packed with vitamins, antioxidants and good fats from the nuts, it can make any health-food aficionado’s heart sing.

Ingredients

Strawberries 2 cups, sliced

Mixed salad leaves 5-6 cups roughly sliced

Onion 1/2 sliced thinly

Walnuts toasted and chopped 1/4 cup

Feta cheese crumbled 1/3 cup

Ground black pepper

Balsamic vinegar 2 tablespoons

Mustard 1 teaspoon

Honey or maple syrup 2 tablespoons

Salt 1/4 teaspoon

Olive oil 4 tablespoons

Mixed seeds roasted 2 tablespoons

Method

To make the salad dressing, in a small mixing bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, mustard, honey, salt and pepper. Then gradually add the olive oil, one tablespoon at a time (like you would when making mayonnaise) until creamy.

To put together the salad, add salad leaves, strawberries, onion, walnuts and the salad dressing in a mixing bowl. Gently toss, until everything is nicely coated with the dressing. Place the salad in a bowl and top it with crumbled feta and roasted mixed seeds. Serve it cold.

Strawberry and Oatmeal Face Mask

This mask-cum-scrub will make you want to lick your fingers once you’re done whisking the ingredients. Incredibly soothing, this anti-ageing exfoliating mask helps you fight tanning and acne, and makes your skin look tighter, brighter and younger.

Ingredients

Strawberries 2

Rolled oats 2 tablespoons

Yogurt 2 tablespoons

Honey 1 tablespoon

Lemon juice 1 teaspoon

Method

In a mixer grinder, grind the oats to powder and then put them in a mixing bowl. In the same grinder, puree the strawberries. Add the strawberry puree, honey, lemon juice and yogurt to the oats. Mix them well. Apply it on your face (and body if you wish to) and leave it on for 20 minutes or until the pack is almost dry. Gently exfoliate your face in circular motion and wash off the mask with normal water.

Strawberry Hair Mask

Not many are aware of this, but your hair loves strawberries and could do with a nutrient dose to combat the ill-effects of harsh summer. The fruit is rich in vitamin C, which helps in iron absorption—iron plays a key role in hair growth. This strawberry hair mask can help repair dry and damaged hair, giving your mane a much-needed health boost.

Ingredients

Egg 1

Olive Oil 2 tablespoons

Lemon Juice 1 tablespoon

Strawberries 8-10

Method

In a blender, whizz the oil, egg and lemon to make a mayonnaise. Add chopped strawberries and blend to form a paste. Apply it on slightly damp hair and scalp and cover your head with a shower cap. Leave it on for 30 minutes. Wash off well with a shampoo and conditioner.