Fruitful Flavors

Spring is in full swing and summer is right around the corner. With the warm weather comes the return of fresh fruit. Add a boost of fruity flavors to your next happy hour, brunch or girls’ night with these fruit-infused recipes.

Strawberry Bruschetta

INGREDIENTS 

• 1 pound strawberries, washed + sliced

• 1 tablespoon sugar

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• Kosher salt

• 1 loaf Italian or French bread, cut into 12 slices 

• 1 cup goat or mascarpone cheese, room temperature

• 2 teaspoons fresh thyme, basil or mint leaves

• Balsamic vinegar or balsamic glaze

• Salt + ground pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Combine strawberries and sugar in a small bowl and set aside.

2. Brush both sides of bread with olive oil and a sprinkle of kosher salt.

3. Position oven rack a few inches below broiler and preheat on low. Align bread slices on a baking sheet. Broil top sides until golden brown, about one minute, then flip bread slices and broil opposite sides another minute until golden brown.

4. Spread cheese on toasted bread. Stir a pinch of black pepper, salt and herbs into the strawberry mixture. Spoon the strawberry mixture over the cheese-topped bruschetta. Garnish with additional herbs. Drizzle lightly with balsamic vinegar.

Substitute peaches for strawberries when they’re in season. 

Recipe provided + prepared by Lauren Lane @lauren_lane_culinarian

Table Styled by LeAnn Parker @silvertoothhome

Grapefruit Thyme Mocktail

INGREDIENTS

Thyme Simple Syrup

• 1 cup cane sugar

• 1 cup water

• 3+ fresh thyme sprigs

Grapefruit Thyme Beverage

• 3 cups sparkling water or Prosecco

• 1 cup fresh grapefruit juice

• 1/3 cup thyme simple syrup

• Ice

• Sugar for decorative rim

INSTRUCTIONS

1. To make the simple syrup, combine water and sugar in a pot. Bring to a boil and then simmer for a few minutes until sugar is completely dissolved. Remove from the heat, add fresh thyme and steep. Allow to completely cool, then remove thyme sprigs.

2. Rim glass with sugar by dipping the rim in water or simple syrup, then gently rolling it in a saucer of sugar. 

3. Wait for the rim to dry, then fill the glass with ice. 

4. Add 3 tablespoons of thyme syrup to each glass and fill with 1/2 cup grapefruit juice and approximately 1 cup sparkling water for a fun mocktail. Replace the sparkling water with Prosecco for an added kick. Add thyme for decoration if desired.