A Few "Strawberry" Recipes

KrisinTN asked if I would share the recipe that I used to make Strawberry Jam this week. She was reading my mind, because I was planning on posting a few recipes today since I have strawberries on the brain (and coming out of my ears!).

Berry Freezer Jam (courtesy of 11th Edition Better Homes and Gardens New Cookbook, pg. 178)
Prep: 25 minutes
No Fat

4 cups blackberries, raspberries, or hulled strawberries

4 cups of sugar

1/4 tsp finely shredded lemon peel

1 - 3 oz. package of liquid fruit pectin

2 TBSP lemon juice

1. Crush berries till you have 2 cups of blackberries or raspberries, or 1 3/4 cups strawberries. Mix berries, sugar, and peel. Let stand for 10 minutes. Combine pectin and lemon juice. Add to berry mixture, stir for 3 minutes.

2. Ladle into half-pint freezer containers, leaving 1/2 inch head space. Seal and label. Let stand at room temperature for 24 hours or till set. Store 3 weeks in refrigerator or for 1 year in freezer. Makes 4 half-pints.

Nutrition facts per tablespoon: 53 cal, 0 g total fat, 0 mg chol., 0 mg sodium, 14 g carbo., 1 g fiber, 0 g pro.

Daily Values: 0% vit. A, 3% vit. C, O% calcium, 0% iron

My Notes:

* I crushed the berries in a bowl using my Pampered Chef food chopper and it worked like a charm.

* One batch of jam made 6, 3 oz. jelly jars for me.

* I used 3 lemons for 4 batches of jam, but I would plan for at least 1 lemon per batch to be safe.

* I purchased Ball Brand Fruit Pectin from Kroger. Each box had 2 packets of pectin (or enough for 2 batches). There was a $0.50/1 coupon inside each box that doubled to $1. The cashier let me open the box to use the coupon (I found out about it after I bought the first box and brought it home). Yes, I am a coupon freak.

* So far 9 lbs. of strawberries plus 2 additional quarts have made 4 batches of jam (24 jars) and the two pies listed below. And I threw away quite a few damaged berries, plus I still have a large Tupperware bowl full in the fridge.

Here are two other recipes that I tried. Both were pretty easy to make, and tasted pretty good. I liked the Cheesecake just a little better than the Banana Split Pie. I made the Cheesecake with 1/3 less fat cream cheese, and both pies with Lite Cool Whip.

* Banana Split Pie

* Very-Strawberry Cheesecake

I also have a favor to ask of you. Do you happen to have a recipe for strawberry bread or cake that you have tried and enjoyed? What are your favorite recipes that call for strawberries? I have one huge bowl left, and before I resort to freezing them, I thought I would ask. Thanks! :-)