Strawberries!!!

Strawberries! Strawberries! Strawberries! Is this your favorite fruit? It’s one of mine. Obviously, for the flavor, but also because it is so connected to spring and our transition from heavy winter foods. In San Diego County, Carlsbad is strawberry central and during peak strawberry season you owe it to yourself to do more than eat them by the handful or slice them into cereal. So, I met Russ Bruhn of Carlsbad Gourmet and the Strawberry Shack to learn some cool ways to feature strawberries in pies and sauces. The result is you’re getting recipes for a strawberry pie, strawberry-key lime pie, and his sweet and savory roasted strawberry chipotle sauce—which he served me with a pork loin. Check out my new story in The San Diego Union-Tribune’s Food section for the recipes—and gorgeous photos by photographer K.C. Alfred.