The great taste of summer. Select, store, cook and eat from a choice of six recipes here.

Strawberries are low in fat and low in kilojoules and contain higher levels of vitamin C than other berries. Below are recipes for a salad, jam, chutney, butter, daiquiri and samosas.

They also contain iron, to prevent anaemia, fatigue and lack of energy as well as over 40 phytochemicals which help provide protection against cancer and heart disease.

Their anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities suggest that strawberries may help prevent kidney stones, act as a liver tonic and help relieve joint pain. Most importantly, strawberries are the ideal 'anytime, everyday snack' for both adults and children.

Selecting
Size plays no part in determining the perfect strawberry. In fact, small strawberries are equally as sweet and juicy as large ones. The perfect strawberry should be fully coloured, firm, bright, plump and shiny. Make sure that the cap is attached, green and fresh-looking.

Look for newer varieties such as:
- Adina - mid-October to mid January; bright red, moderately glossy, very large.
- Lowanna (Aboriginal for beauty) - early November; long shaped, large, red and glossy.
- Tallara - end October to mid January; very deep red, fairly large size, exceptionally sweet.

Popular established varieties include:
- Camarosa - November/ December; full flavoured and richly coloured.
- Selva - January /March; sweet tasting.
- Pajaro

Source: Victorian Strawberry Industry

Storing
The moisture content of strawberries is high, so always remove fruit from punnets and place in a large container lined with absorbent paper.

Strawberries are best stored at 40C either uncovered or loosely covered in the refrigerator.

Serve at room temperature. Only remove their green caps after washing, just prior to use.

RECIPES
Citrus, lettuce and strawberry salad
Serves 6
2 punnets strawberries, sliced
2 carrots, julienned
3 stick celery, julienned
1 red and 1 green capsicum, julienned
1 red onion, sliced
300g ham, cut into strips
1 head Iceberg (or Romaine) lettuce
Parmesan cheese shavings

Dressing
1 cup reduced-calorie mayonnaise
2 tbIsp chutney (below)
1 tblsp sherry
1 tblsp honey
2tblsp orange juice and zest
Zest & juice of 1 lime
1 tsp salt
1 tsp curry powder

In large bowl combine all strawberries, vegetables and ham, Cover and chill. Combine all dressing ingredients (see below) in a bowl. When ready to serve toss strawberries, vegetables and ham through dressing to coat them, Serve in leaves of lettuce topped with shavings of Parmesan cheese

Summer Strawberry Chutney
Enjoy this as a dip with cheese and biscuits or with roast pork or roast turkey,
1/2cup raisins
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1/2 cup strawberry jam
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1/2 cup orange juice
2 tsp grated ginger
1/2 tsp curry powder
1 orange, finely chopped
500g strawberries, hulled and diced
100g slivered almonds

Combine first 8 ingredients in large saucepan; bring to a boil, Cook, uncovered, over medium heat 15 minutes or until slightly thickened and syrupy, stirring frequently, Add strawberries; reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, 10 minutes or until thickened, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat; stir in almonds, Spoon into bowl; cover and chill. Serve with nonfat or light cream cheese and gingernut biscuits.

Strawberry Samosas
Makes about 35
100g blue vein cheese
250g grated mozzarella
100g cashew nuts, finely chopped
Small bunch chives, finely chopped
100g diced bacon pieces
1 punnet strawberries, finely sliced
1 tblsp thickened cream
Black pepper to taste
15-20 large sheets spring roll pastry, cut in half
1 egg, whipped

Combine first 8 ingredients in a bowl. Spoon mixture onto coated pastry and fold into triangles. Set aside or freeze until ready to eat. Coat pastry with the egg
and heat some peanut oil. Deep fry in batches of four until golden brown. Drain on absorbent paper and serve immediately,

Strawberry cheese dip
Makes about 1 1/2 cups.
250g cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup pureed fresh strawberries
2 tblsp brown sugar
1 tblsp lemon juice
Fresh fruit chunks

In blender or food processor, combine cream cheese, sour cream, strawberries, brown sugar and lemon juice. Process until blended, pour into serving dish and chill. Serve with chunks of fresh fruit,

Strawberry butter
Makes about 4 cups
Use on pancakes and waffles.
3 punnets strawberries
1 cup soft butter
2 cups icing sugar

Combine all ingredients in bowl of a food processor and mix until smooth, Pack into an airtight container and refrigerate. Butter will keep several weeks in the freezer.

So easy strawberry jam
500g strawberries
500g white sugar
1/ 4 tsp mixed spice
Juice 1/2 lime

In a heavy-based saucepan place all ingredients and simmer until sugar dissolves. Bring to boil for 20 minutes, stirring constantly. Allow to cool and pour into warm sterilised glass jars and seal.

Strawberry Daiquiri
Makes 6 servings
2 375g cans lemonade
3 375g cans ice cubes .
375g can rum
1 tblsp granulated sugar
1 punnet strawberries
2 cups strawberry ice cream

Place lemonade, ice, rum, and sugar in a blender and mix. Add strawberries and mix. Add ice cream and mix slightly. Serve in long glasses.