Ontario strawberry season is just around the corner, and we think this is a great time to bring back the Strawberry Social. While many communities across Ontario and Canada celebrate strawberry season with festivals and stocking the grocery stores with shortcake and whipped cream to easily throw together makeshift strawberry shortcake, the strawberry social isn’t something that’s celebrated annually like it once was in the 1800s.
Aside from celebrating all things strawberry with food and drink to use this tasty treat, we also think that a strawberry social is a great way to get the ladies together for an afternoon of tea on the porch, or to celebrate the upcoming Canada Day. With strawberries as the main ingredient, you’ve already got the colour scheme to match our national colours.
Historically, a strawberry social would take place on a Sunday afternoon and pastries and ice creams featuring strawberries would be served as the townspeople caught up on the latest happenings. Centuries later and there’s no reason why this can’t still be the purpose. Any excuse to host a gathering, right?
If you have a kid’s party, baby shower, or bridal shower coming up, this could be the perfect opportunity to combine the reason with the summery theme. And, you could tie in the strawberry theme with other aspects of the party as well, in addition to the food and drinks.
Depending on the guests (whether they’re kids or adults), you could send attendees home with a themed party favour like strawberry-scented lotion or a jar of strawberry jam.
The menu possibilities are really endless, but to start, we suggest these…
Fresh Berry Cream Puffs
1 cup water
1/2 cup butter
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt
4 eggs
1 cup whipped cream
1 tbsp. honey
strawberries
2 tbsp. jam or coulis
In a heavy saucepan, combine water and butter. Bring to a full boil. Reduce heat, add flour and salt all at once, stirring vigorously with wooden spoon until a smooth ball forms that leaves the side of the pan. Remove from heat. Add the eggs one at a time. Beat vigorously after each addition. The dough should be smooth and shiny. Allow to cool slightly.
Drop large spoonfuls of dough onto parchment lined baking tray. The dough should have a mound in the middle. Place in preheated oven @ 400F, place in oven and turn down to 350F.
Bake until golden and puffed, about 20-30 minutes. Once out of oven, poke hole in bottom to allow the steam to escape. Allow to cool.
In a bowl combine the jam, cream, honey and jam. Slice bun in half and fill with cream mix. Dust with icing sugar.
Looking for more seasonal party ideas? Check out our other blog posts or contact us via our website so we can chat about catering ideas.
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