Brighten Your Christmas and New Year celebrations with berries.

All holidays are special, but surely none are prettier than Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

In the midst of the deep snows and dark nights of winter, holiday time offers a promise of renewed life and good things to come. Bright red Well•Pict strawberries and raspberries bring that something extra to the table.

Whether served sweet or savory, berries bring a pop of color and fresh flavor to a wide range of recipes that are sure to make all kinds of gatherings special. Along with our own Well•Pict chefs’ dishes, we’ve found some delicious new ideas from our online friends that are guaranteed to delight the eye and palate. Here are some of our favorite ways to up the romance factor in your seasonal events.

Entrée: Pork Tenderloin served with Well•Pict Berries’ Rosemary Apricot Raspberry Sauce

This richly flavorful pork tenderloin entrée will impress everyone at the table when it’s served at dinner or party time. It’s surprisingly easy to prepare – and works equally well with chicken or beef- though the piquant blend of herbs, preserves, and fresh berries is a natural accent for roast pork, with its golden skin oozing juice. Try serving this entree with a wild rice blend, twice-baked potatoes, or roasted root vegetables on the side. Find the full recipe on our website.

Appetizer: Strawberry Shrimp Ceviche

This strawberry shrimp ceviche is a terrific appetizer for parties, as it’s easy to throw together and looks cool and elegant on the table. As an alternate to classic ceviche or shrimp cocktail, this recipe also makes a nice counterpoint to hot, heavy foods that may be served. We love how it blends freshness with sweet and savory flavors, plus a hint of spice. Get the recipe here, from the California Strawberry Commission.

Cocktail: Strawberry Wine Sparkler

Few drinks are more beautiful and romantic than berries and champagne. For this strawberry champagne cocktail, use a sweeter sparkling wine like an extra dry or demi sec. And for a festive touch, use small cookie cutter shapes to create frozen strawberry ice cubes.

Strawberry Santas

Running out of ideas or prep time? For a quick and fun holiday treat, these Strawberry Santas are irresistible to kids and adults alike. Easy to make and fun to serve to guests who pop in around Christmastime, these cute little bites are Santa’s favorite color and full of snowy, sweetened cream cheese. They’re also a healthy alternative for kids who may be overdosing on other goodies this time of year. Learn how to make them here, at allrecipe.com.

Strawberry Christmas Tree

What’s better than a centerpiece that doubles as dessert? This beautiful tower is perfect for a holiday party dessert table, and it’s easier to make than it looks. Visit Home Stories A to Z for full instructions.

Additional Holiday Sauce and Salad Tips

Strawberries can be your secret weapon in creating sauces. With your winter roasts or pork tenderloin, try a reduction of strawberries and Cabernet Sauvignon with meat or veggie stock. Think of strawberries as a replacement for tomato or other base flavors when creating dips for wontons, spring rolls, or dessert items, or as a colorful garnish when plating baked fish or grilled shrimp. The natural sweetness and tang of strawberries also make a perfect base for barbecue sauce.

Many kinds of salad greens are available in winter, so take advantage of your options. Try adding sliced strawberries to a savory herb salad with a complementary vinaigrette, or mixing strawberry with citrus and poppyseed dressing.

Be sure to check out our recipe pages to find more strawberry treats – for holiday-time or anytime. Plus, don’t forget to visit the Well•Pict Facebook page and join the conversation!