The technique of marinating salty foods, such as meat and fish, allows spices, herbs and liquids to penetrate the fibers of the food before cooking it to enhance its taste. When marinating fruit, the term "macerate" is used, but the purpose is the same: to enhance its flavor. By macerating the strawberries they become sweeter and the lost liquids turn into a delicious accompanying syrup.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Prepare the Strawberries
Step 1. Rinse the strawberries
Rinse the entire amount of strawberries under cold running water to get rid of any soil residue. It is quicker to wash them all at once rather than one at a time.
Step 2. Dry the strawberries
Blot it with kitchen paper or a clean cloth to absorb excess moisture.
Step 3. Remove the stalk
Place the strawberries on the cutting board and remove the top end, the one with the stalk. Trim them one at a time using a sharp knife.
Step 4. Slice the strawberries
You can also leave them whole, but if you slice them they will taste even better because the sugar will be able to penetrate the pulp better.
Part 2 of 3: Macerating the Strawberries
Step 1. Choose the ingredients to macerate the strawberries with
For the basic recipe you need 2 tablespoons of sugar for every 450 g of strawberries. Possible variations include:
- 100 ml of sugar syrup for every 400 g of strawberries.
- 2 tablespoons of Cointreau and 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar (sifted) per 400 g of strawberries.
- 50 g of honey and 4 tablespoons of orange flavored liqueur for every 400 g of strawberries.
Step 2. Blend the ingredients
Pour them into a bowl and mix them before adding the strawberries.
Step 3. Soak the strawberries
Pour them into the bowl and mix carefully to evenly distribute the ingredients.
Step 4. Let the strawberries steep at room temperature for 15-30 minutes
Part 3 of 3: Serve the Strawberries
Step 1. Eat strawberries as they are
By being immersed in sugar, syrup or honey they will become even sweeter and tastier, so you can eat them on their own. They will be wrapped in a syrup that will make them similar to a dessert. If you used Cointreau or another liqueur they will be even more delicious.
Step 2. Use them to make your desserts even more appetizing
They are an excellent garnish for ice cream, panna cotta or cheesecake. Depending on the type of dessert, you can use just strawberries or even syrup.
Step 3. Pair with yogurt
It's a simple and healthy way to make it more inviting at breakfast time.
