SHOPPERS could see an unexpected item in supermarkets this Christmas for the first time ever – and we’ve got the perfect festive recipe to celebrate it.
Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Marks & Spencers earlier confirmed they will stock home-grown strawberries on their shelves this winter season.
Strawberries are usually imported over winter due to economic and environmental reasons.
But fruit suppliers have innovated new technology which will finally allow strawberries to be grown in the UK all year round.
The Summer Berry Company, a supplier in West Sussex, will be growing the fruit 12 months a year and supplying supermarkets.
This means that shoppers will be able to get their hands on the British strawberries this Christmas as an exciting new addition to their festive celebrations and desserts.
Typically the British strawberry season runs from May to October, and are a familiar sight in summer commonly associated with the Wimbledon tennis tournament.
And bosses at The Summer Berry Company have come up with a mouth-watering dessert that will be a showstopper for Christmas Dinner.
They promise it will be “a beautiful centre piece to a party table and makes a lovely grazing platter”.
The pretty strawberry wreath takes just 20 minutes to prepare – and even better, there’s no cooking involved.
All you need is 600g of strawberries and 80g of dark, milk and white chocolate.
First up, melt the different chocolates in separate bowls by placing in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time, stirring and returning for
repeat 30 seconds slots until smooth and glossy.
Next, line a baking tray with parchment or a reusable silicon sheet and arrange a selection of decorations – chopped nuts, desiccated coconut and candied orange peel – in separate bowls or plates.
Dip whole strawberries into melted chocolate then sprinkle over a
decoration and set aside on the baking tray to set.
The Summer Berry Company team say: “You can vary your combinations of chocolate and decorations however you fancy.”
The strawberries usually set at room temperature within 10
minutes but you can also store them in a cool place until ready to
serve.
Finally, arrange a rough ring of greenery on a large platter or board in a circular shape, pile on the strawberries, adding in extra bits of
green herb to decorate.
Then simply add a big bow somewhere on the wreath to finish the effect.
