Macerate Strawberries

The technique of marinating savory foods, such as meat and fish, allows any spices, herbs, and liquids to infuse in the meats prior to cooking, thereby enhancing the flavor. When you marinate fruits, the technique is referred to as macerating and it has the same purpose of increasing the flavor. Macerating strawberries draws out the liquid from the fruit, sweetens them considerably and leaves a delicious syrup that they can be served in.

Steps

Preparing the Strawberries

  1. Rinse the strawberries. Under running tap water, lightly rinse the entire batch to allow any dirt particles to wash off. It's easier to do everything at once instead of one at a time.
  2. Dry the strawberries. Pat the fruit dry with paper towels to soak up any excess water.
  3. Hull the strawberries. Position the strawberries horizontally and slice the tops off with a sharp knife, so that you end up with a clean and flat top.
  4. Slice the strawberries. You can leave them whole, but cutting them will allow the maximum amount of flavor to soak in.

Macerating the Strawberries

  1. Choose a mixture. The most basic and easiest approach is to use two tablespoons of sugar per pound (450g) of strawberries.[1] For variations, try one of the following suggestions:
    • 1/2 cup simple syrup for 2 cups strawberries[2]
    • 2 tablespoons Cointreau and 2 tablespoons icing sugar (sifted) for 2 cups strawberries[3]
    • 1/4 cup honey and 4 tablespoons orange flavored liqueur for 2 pints (2 cups whole) strawberries.[4]
  2. Mix the ingredients. Prepare your mixture in a separate bowl before adding the strawberries.
  3. Mix the marinade and strawberries. Add the strawberries to the marinade bowl. Make sure the fruit is fully covered in the mixture.
  4. Allow it to stand. Leave it alone at room temperature for 15 to 30 minutes.

Serving the Strawberries

  1. Eat the macerated strawberries as they are. Having the strawberries soak in the flavors, especially a honey or orange liqueur, already makes them sweet to enjoy by themselves. The syrup that forms will make them a dessert in their own right.
  2. Add the macerated strawberries as a topping. Enhance your favorite desserts such as ice cream, cheesecake, or dessert pies. (You may need to drain off some of the syrup, depending on what you're adding the strawberries to.)
  3. Mix the macerated strawberries in yogurt. Lighten up plain yogurt and stir them for a sweet nutritious breakfast.

Tips

  • Try balsamic vinegar with the strawberries for a savory taste. Thirty minutes before serving the strawberries, slice them thinly. Place in balsamic vinegar to macerate. Drain and serve.

Things You'll Need

  • Sharp knife
  • Paper towels
  • Cutting board

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.marthastewart.com/340218/macerated-strawberries
  2. ↑ http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paulas-party/macerated-strawberries-recipe/index.html
  3. ↑ http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/9851/macerated+strawberries+with+cream
  4. ↑ http://www.food.com/recipe/macerated-strawberries-300138
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