On Wednesday, I asked a my friends on Facebook what their favorite summer food was and the response was overwhelmingly about produce. We love our summer fruits and veggies any way we can get them.
And, gosh, do we love berries!
One of my goals is to eat more seasonally. I committed to not buy berries all winter long. We ate apples, bananas, grapefruit, clementines, and oranges. (I know bananas weren’t in season but as far as I know, they’re not even grown anywhere that’s remotely local.)
When the ripe, seasonal berries showed up I was thrilled. Joe was too. I made a big berry salad and we eat it with everything – yogurt, cottage cheese, ice cream, on hot cereal.
A Special Ingredient
I’ve been making this simple salad for years. It never occurred to me that it was anything ‘special’ until I got a phone call after a get-together with friends. My girlfriend said her husband insisted that she find out what I did to make the berries taste so good. I told her, but I don’t think she believed me until she made this salad herself. A little lime makes all the difference.
I sent Joe off to work with some of this berry salad in his lunch. He asked me to pack more the next day and I had to confess that I ate the rest of it for breakfast and lunch. Like I said, we love our berries.
Other SS&GF Berry Recipes:
What is your favorite way to eat fresh berries?
And, by the way…we’ve been having a great time chatting on Twitter and Facebook. Next time you’re on make sure to say hello.
Ingredients
- sweet, ripe strawberries
- fresh sweet-tart blueberries
- perfectly ripe, juicy raspberries
- juice from 1/2 lime
- powdered stevia to taste
Instructions
- Wash berries and drain. Hull and quarter strawberries. Slice them if they’re really large.
- Place berries in a beautiful bowl and squeeze the juice from 1/2 lime on top. Sweeten to taste with stevia. Gently toss berries.
- Cover and place in refrigerator to chill for at least two hours. Overnight is just fine.
- Serve as is, with sweet whipped cream or coconut cream, on ice cream, in yogurt…the possibilities are endless.
Notes
I usually make a good sized bowl – a quart or more at once. Adjust the lime juice based on the amount of berries you use.
Jenn
posted on June 11, 2010 at 1:31 am
I’ve been adding lime to my strawberries for years – it’s def. better that way! What a beautiful summer salad
I made something similar to this a lot for my mom when she first found out she was diabetic and wanted something sweet she could enjoy – I think the acid in the lime helps to pull out the natural sugars of the fruit making them taste sweeter than if you just ate them plain. I’ve used a lemon too when I didn’t have limes around, but the lime is def. better 
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Amy Reply:
June 11th, 2010 at 1:02 pm
@Jenn, You’re completely right – there’s something about the acid and the flavor of the lime that makes the berries pop. I’ve tried lemon, too, and it’s never as good. Lime and orange is good, too, when throw in orange segments.
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marla {family fresh cooking}
posted on June 11, 2010 at 7:54 am
Isn’t it funny how sometimes our most basic go-to dish is special for so many? I love summer berries & of course my stevia. xo
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Tracee
posted on June 11, 2010 at 9:59 am
It’s amazing how simple fruit seems so dressy!
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Hallie @ Daily Bites
posted on June 11, 2010 at 1:26 pm
Give me a big bowlful of berries and a fork and I’ll polish them off in no time! I’m a berry-lover through and through. So happy that the season for them has come around again.
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Pat
posted on June 11, 2010 at 3:04 pm
What a beautiful bowl full of delicious-ness! Berries are so good to look at, and then we get to eat them, too!
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Suzanne Collier
posted on June 11, 2010 at 3:07 pm
I have withdrawals when I can’t get fresh berries. Frozen is a distant 2nd place, but will work in the off season. My husband and I frequently have berries for dessert in one form or another. And, I use limes in everything from my iced tea to my bloody mary’s to grilled asparagus and salmon. But had never thought about the berries!!! What a GREAT surprise! I can’t wait to try this.
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Heather Davis
posted on June 11, 2010 at 5:24 pm
I love fresh berries too! We have been eating strawberries, blueberries and raspberries for a good month now. Love them with so many things. This recipe looks great. Will have to try the lime trick.
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Amanda Formaro
posted on June 11, 2010 at 10:04 pm
Sounds perfect Amy! Over Memorial Day, my neighbor brought over a really yummy fruit salad. Her secret ingredient was poppy seed salad dressing! I never would have guessed :-O
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Amy Reply:
June 13th, 2010 at 11:23 am
@Amanda Formaro, I love poppy seeds with fruits – I made a dressing like that, too. It adds a savory component that is just divine.
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megan
posted on June 14, 2010 at 10:00 am
As I was reading, I thought for sure the secret was going to be balsamin viniger and was surprised to see lime juice. I love lime and I’m trying that this week!!! Thanks!
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Jessica
posted on June 14, 2010 at 10:48 am
I love the addition of the lime. I never would have thought about that. Yummy, can’t wait to try!
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Alta
posted on June 14, 2010 at 10:55 am
How delicious – I would have never thought that a little lime would add so much…but now that I think about it, it makes sense! Yum.
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Aubree Cherie
posted on June 16, 2010 at 5:45 am
I’ve been eating a lot of berries lately, but they’re lucky if they even make it to the fridge; let alone a recipe! I do love the concept of the stevia and lime though, I bet it adds just the perfect twist!
~Aubree Cherie
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Wendy (The Local Cook)
posted on June 16, 2010 at 8:10 am
we love berries at our house too. DH ate an entire quart of strawberries the other night
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Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen)
posted on May 28, 2011 at 10:24 am
I added freshly squeezed orange juice and orange zest to cantaloup last year and oh my, the flavors just intensified and it was amazing! I can see how lime juice would add a whole new dynamic in flavors!
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Andrea
posted on May 28, 2011 at 11:15 am
I eat berries nearly everyday and never thought of this…I can’t wait to try it!
Also, I was reading my Clean Eating magazine and saw your book review in their “must read” section…Congratulations!!!
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Amy Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 8:28 am
@Andrea, Thanks, Andrea! Just picked up a copy yesterday. What a fabulous write-up! I was so honored.
Hugs,
Amy
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Christianne
posted on May 28, 2011 at 11:16 am
Oh somehow i missed your wednesday question….but i must concur berry salad is one of my all time any time desserts. It is also so visually appealing to me.
I am looking forward to trying the lime, maybe even a hint of mint. xo
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Amy Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 8:27 am
@Christianne, Yes, mint! That would be so good. I have a huge bunch of mint growing outside…will throw some in my next berry salad.
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