GAME, SET…STRAWBERRIES!!!

I do love Wimbledon, it’s such a British affair. We are constantly worried about the weather and what stars have arrived to watch the players; I remember last year Tom Cruise arrived! One day I’ll go and watch the matches live, maybe bump into Tom Cruise! But for now, I’ll sit in front of the TV watching the ball go back and forth - or not so with those fast aces!

There will be lots of action on those grass courts, but also lots of munching action with those strawberries. In fact, around 30 tonnes of strawberries and 7,000 litres of cream will be devoured at Wimbledon this year!

Strawberries are delicious served plain with cream, I really do like them like that, but when I was younger, Grandma Bun would cut up the strawberries and spoon sugar all over them. I’m glad to say I’ve weaned myself off the sugar, but Mr Bun still pulls a face like he is sucking lemons when he eats them without sugar.

Did you know strawberries are the only fruit to wear their seeds on the outside! Over 200 of them. Which technically means it isn’t a berry, as berries have their seeds on the inside.

How can you make the most of strawberry season? What can you do if you have a glut or they’re getting overripe?

FOR THE CHILDREN...

Get the children involved in cutting up the strawberries up or squashing them with their hands. Take a strawberry, hold it between thumb and finger, and squeeze it into a bowl, do it’s all runny and squashed. Because the berries are soft and juicy this will be an easy, fun job for their little fingers.

STRAWBERRY MILKSHAKE…

Blend a handful of strawberries with 150ml of milk and drop of honey - instant milkshake! Add other fruits if you like such as a banana, mango, raspberries, or a kiwi.

STRAWBERRY LOLLIES…

Delicious refreshing at this time of year. Whizz up 200g of strawberries add 100ml lemonade and mix well. Pour into ice lolly moulds and freeze for 6-8 hours.

If you fancy a creamy lolly, whizz 200g strawberries and add 400g of Greek or natural yoghurt, or even a flavoured one. Pour into lolly moulds freeze for 6-8 hours.

STRAWBERRY MESS…

A great one for using up bits in the fridge or cupboards. Chop up 8-10 strawberries and put them in a mixing bowl. Add 200g yoghurt, crème fraiche, custard or (dare I say it!) use Angel Delight. Crush 2-3 meringues or crumble up 2-3 cup-cakes or sponge fingers. Mix together. Divide the mixtur