I've made our usual favorites -- strawberry shortcake and strawberry pie -- several times and will continue making them until the season ends.

Strawberries are probably my favorite fruit. Not only do they taste good, they're also high in Vitamin C and supply fiber, iron, calcium, folate and Vitamin A. I love to eat them along with a sandwich for lunch or cut up in a bowl of cereal and milk for breakfast or a bedtime snack.

I'm always looking for new recipes for strawberries, so I picked up the N.C. Strawberry Association's brochure while at Dean's Farm recently. There are a number of recipes in the brochure that I'd like to try, including a strawberry cake and strawberry punch. The strawberry pie recipe, made with a layer of cream cheese, is similar to one I made last year.

I decided to try Strawberry Fruit Drink. The drink, which is similar to some smoothies I've made, features strawberries, banana, orange and apple juice blended with ice. That's simple enough!

I couldn't locate my small blender (and still haven't found it), so I drug out my large blender, which seldom sees any action. It only took a few minutes to whirl the ingredients together for a very tasty drink. My daughter and I really enjoyed it. The drink wasn't extra cold, however. Next time I'll put the banana and maybe the strawberries in the freezer a few hours before making the drink.

That's a trick I've done a number of times when I make smoothies using frozen yogurt. For that drink, I just add in strawberries, banana, frozen yogurt and enough orange to make it the right consistency for me.

The Strawberry Association's drink was refreshing and healthy. Give it a try. And remember, when you're making it, that you can vary the ingredients to your taste. For instance, throw in some blueberries if you have them. And use orange juice only or apple juice only, depending on your taste and what's in the fridge!

lisa@wilsontimes.com | 265-7810

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STRAWBERRY FRUIT DRINK

10 strawberries*

1 banana

6 to 8 ice cubes

6 to 8 ozs. orange juice

6 to 8 ozs. apple juice

Blend in blender until smooth.

N.C. Strawberry Association

*For a colder drink, freeze the banana and strawberries before making the drink. I've frozen the banana either in its peel or cut up in cubes in a plastic bag. Either way works just fine.