How utopia must smell

Strawberry mania is over for the summer and boy did I get manic this year. 

To make a special strawberry sauce that toast screams for (a), I simmered blended and chopped strawberries with some sugar and lemon zest and vanilla (I think) until it was thick and irresistible. I tried to go easy on the sugar and with an error ended up going medium with the sugar (can no longer estimate). Then in smaller bowls I made flavored subsets of strawberry heaven: Lime, Balsamic, Mint, …Vanilla, Black Pepper…. I think that’s it. I froze this in ice cube trays labeled with flavor initials using a Sharpie (b).

(a) This texture of pureed and chunky strawberry was noticeably delicious. (b) Think of all the uses!

Oh – but some days before this I was part of an experiment to make strawberry + blueberry + herb sauce. Damn was that herbazing! I was thrilled with how easy and effective it is to impart herb flavors simply by steeping fresh clean herbs in a hot sugary sauce for however long. We used basil mostly, and some rosemary I think. A couple of times I added a tablespoon or so of this to otherwise boring rice and sauteed veggies and DAMN.

Oh – and some days after this I made an all fruit smoothie with strawberries, pear, banana, lemon juice, and I think that’s it, and then froze it in ice cube trays. BEST smoothie ice cube addition ever. This too I must remember - hence this indelible blog post.