She Strengthens

The Secret to Perfect Strawberry Sauce

Berry Bliss in Just 10 Minutes

When it comes to strawberry sauce, the ripeness of your berries makes all the difference. If you’re using slightly underripe strawberries, you’ll end up with a thicker, jammy consistency, while very ripe berries will yield a more juicy sauce. Either way, it’s a delicious topping for yogurt, toast, pound cake, ice cream, or even cheesecake.

Gather Your Ingredients

To make this easy strawberry sauce, you’ll need:

• 1 1/2 pounds of fresh strawberries, washed, hulled, and diced
• 1 cup of granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon of finely grated lemon zest (from 1 medium lemon)
• 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice

Cooking Up a Storm

Combine the strawberries and sugar in a medium, nonreactive saucepan, stirring until the berries are evenly coated. Mash the mixture with a potato masher for about a minute, leaving some medium-sized chunks intact.

Heating Things Up

Place the pan over high heat, cooking for about 5 minutes, or until bubbles form along the pan’s edge. Stir occasionally to prevent burning. Remove any foam that forms on the surface with a spoon and discard.

Adding a Touch of Zest

Add the lemon zest and juice to the mixture, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a full boil, cooking for an additional 2 minutes, or until foam coats the surface.

Cooling Down

Remove the saucepan from the heat and skim off any remaining foam. Let the sauce cool to room temperature before transferring it to a container with a tight-fitting lid. Refrigerate for up to 3 weeks and enjoy!

Tips and Variations

Experiment with different types of citrus zest, such as orange or lime, for a unique flavor twist. You can also use this strawberry sauce as a base for other flavors, like balsamic glaze or mint. The possibilities are endless!