Red!

These days you can get strawberries any time of the year, but they're never as good as the ones you get in May and June.

My mother used to make strawberry rhubarb pie, but I'm more likely to just eat them plain with a little cheese and a glass of white wine, which is what Bob and I are doing here tonight, before dinner.

Hey, don't throw away the green hull with the little bit of strawberry flesh attached! Rub it all over your face and neck, it's a wonderful exfoliant and toner. Not messy like those other foods you can smear all over your face but only do once.

Strawberries are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants. They also contain vitamin K, manganese, folic acid and B vitamins. Most of all, when they're in season they are sweet and will improve your spirits. How can you not love red?

Here are some other ways I like to enjoy strawberries, especially now when they're in season:

sliced up, sprinkled with brown sugar and served over pancakes, french toast, ice cream, angel food cake...

floating in a glass of champagne, with brunch

chopped up on top of oatmeal or cold cereal

made into a smoothie with banana and yogurt

sliced, in green salad

dipped in melted dark chocolate

To everything there is a season -- and it's strawberry season, baby! Get you some soon.

bon appetit!