Refreshing and Simple Strawberry Milk
It is June, which I now have learned is strawberry season. Near our home, there is a very quaint strawberry patch called, Cross the Creek Farm, and this is my second year visiting them to pick strawberries (Pssst... I have already gone twice and I am thinking I'll be there at least twice more before the season is over).
It is no easy task being a farmer, and getting out there to pick your own produce will give you a sense of appreciation for the hands that pick yours. After being hunched over for 30 minutes, I try to stand up and oh, I can feel the ache in my back and slight soreness in my fingers from pinching the stems. I walk away feeling excited and proud that I picked those strawberries and tell myself to remember those that work so hard so that I can feed my family so well. A big THANK YOU to the farming community!
This recipe highlights the beauty of eating in season and how quality ingredients encourage you to cook simply.
Now this milk, Strawberry milk, I stumbled upon. I couldn't believe how many videos on YouTube there were for 'Korean Strawberry Milk' and with my taste buds curious I made a very paired down version. I was sold when I gave Jude a cup of it, watched, and he immediately lit up and said, "Mmmmm, this is good". Done. So here is a very paired down version, in ingredients and prep, for you to enjoy the purity of strawberries when they are the best tasting.
If you wanting to cook simpler, really highlight your fruits and vegetables, and utilize fresh herbs well, then I would recommend any of Alice Waters books. This one is the most recent I have read and its simplicity will astonish and inspire you, The Art of Simple Food II.
Refreshing and Simple Strawberry Milk
Servings: 12 Time: 40min Difficulty: Easy
The most time consuming part will be cutting up your strawberries but after that, it will come together quickly. Prep time is not included in the length of this recipe so give yourself another 15 min or so to dice up the strawberries.
You can easily cut this recipe in half, if needed.
This post contains an affiliate link.
2 quarts of fresh strawberries, diced
6 tbsp of brown sugar*
8 cups of milk*
Fun Flavors to Try:
1/2 of a used vanilla bean pod
2 cinnamon sticks
A few sprigs of mint, depending on the variety
1 banana, mashed
Start by rinsing you strawberries, drying them and dicing them up.
Place your diced strawberries into a bowl and add brown sugar. Mix gently with a spoon, cover and place them in the fridge for 30 minutes.
After 30 minutes, remove your strawberries from the fridge and give them a stir. You will notice that the sugar has melted and the sugar has pulled out the juices of the strawberries, AKA syrup!
Divide equally among 4-32 oz mason jars. Regardless of the container, you want a ratio of about 1:2, one part strawberry to 2 parts milk. Next, fill the remainder of the jar with 2 cups of milk.
Unless you are drinking them right away, don't shake them. Seal them and place them in the fridge till you are ready to have some yummy, strawberry milk and when that time comes, give them a good SHAKE!
Variations: Try adding a few sprigs of mint, half of a used vanilla bean, 2 cinnamon sticks or 1 mashed banana to your jars. For the banana, add your strawberries, then the mashed banana and then the milk. For the other variations, add them after your milk and let them steep in the milk for 4-6 hours, or overnight. Consume within 2-3 days and sterilize your jars if you will be gifting these of letting them sit overnight.
Here is a quick tutorial video on how to sterilize jars.
*Sweetness: I am not one for very sweet tasting foods and because I have kids I try to keep sugar at a low. That being said, if you would like it sweeter I would add about another 2 tbsp of brown sugar.
*You can also use any variation of sweetener... Brown sugar, white sugar, coconut sugar, monk fruit sugar, agave, honey, or even maple syrup. Use what you like and enjoy!
*Milk: I use whole milk but have tried it with 2%. Though I have not tried it with almond/oat/coconut milk, I think it would taste great too!
*This is a a great gift for the strawberry lover in your life. Just run them over a jar of your homemade strawberry milk with a quart of fresh strawberries to enjoy!
