Strawberry Basil Agua Fresca Food

STRAWBERRY BASIL COFFEE CAKE

Steps:

• For the crumb topping: In a medium bowl, mix together the brown sugar, flour, almonds and salt. Add the butter and stir to combine until the mixture is evenly moistened and crumbs form. Set aside.
• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, combine the butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar. Using a handheld mixer on medium speed, beat the butter and sugars together until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the sour cream, vanilla, salt and eggs. Beat on medium to combine. Add 1 1/2 cups of the flour, the baking powder and baking soda. Mix again until smooth, about 1 minute. Add the milk and mix again until smooth. Add the remaining 2 cups of flour and the lemon zest and fold with a rubber spatula, being careful not to overmix. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle evenly with the strawberries and basil.
• Top with the crumb topping and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 45 to 50 minutes.

MEXICAN STRAWBERRY WATER (AGUA DE FRESA)

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, mix together sliced strawberries, sugar, and 1 cup of water. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for 4 hours.
• Remove the strawberry mixture from the refrigerator and pour into a blender. Blend on high until smooth. Pour the blended berry mixture through a wire mesh strainer set over a large mixing bowl; discard the pulp and seeds.
• Add the remaining 7 cups cold water to the pureed strawberries and mix well. Place the Aqua de Fresa in the refrigerator to chill for several hours or pour over ice and serve immediately. Garnish with lime slices or mint leaves.

STRAWBERRY-BASIL AGUA FRESCA

Steps:

• Add the strawberries, sugar, basil leaves and lemon juice to a blender; puree on high speed for 1 minute. Add 2 cups cold water and puree for an additional minute. Pour the mixture into a large pitcher and stir in another 2 cups cold water.
• Serve over ice.

WATERMELON, STRAWBERRY AND TEQUILA AGUA FRESCA

Steps:

• Toss the watermelon, diced strawberries, sugar and salt in a large bowl to blend. Let stand until the sugar dissolves and a syrup forms, stirring occasionally, at least 15 minutes and up to 30 minutes.
• Working in batches, puree the fruit mixture with the tequila and 2 teaspoons of the lime juice, combining each batch in a large pitcher. Stir to blend. Add more lime juice if desired. Refrigerate until very cold, at least 1 hour and up to 3 hours.
• For the garnish: Thread 1 strawberry, 1 lime wedge and 1 watermelon cube onto 6 skewers. Divide the agua fresca among 6 chilled glasses. Stick a skewer with garnishes into each drink and serve.

STRAWBERRIES WITH BASIL GRANITA

Steps:

• Make simple syrup: Combine the sugar and 1 cup water in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
• Bring 1 cup of the simple syrup, the juice and wine to a boil in a saucepan over high heat. Carefully transfer to a blender, add the basil and pulse until smooth (leave the filler cap off to let steam escape). Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into an 8-inch square metal pan. Freeze 3 to 4 hours, scraping the mixture with a fork every 20 minutes to make it slushy; freeze until ready to serve.
• Cut off the tops of the strawberries and trim the bottoms so that they sit upright. Using a small melon baller, scoop out the inside of each strawberry to make a small cup. Fill with a spoonful of the granita.
• Serve immediately.
• Recipe courtesy of Food Network Magazine

STRAWBERRY WATERMELON AGUA FRESCA

Steps:

• Muddle fresh fruit, Wholesome Organic Stevia and basil.
• Top with ice and sparkling water.

STRAWBERRY AGUA FRESCA

Steps:

• Combine water and sugar, stirring until sugar dissolves.
• Place strawberries in a blender, and process until smooth.
• Combine the sugar mixture, strawberry puree, and juice; stir well.