In The Kitchen with Laura McKenna: Strawberry Leaf Poppin’


June 25, 2025 5:46 PM CDT
By: Laura McKenna
Supported by
There’s nothing better than fresh strawberries in the summertime.
However, if you slice the leaf off the top or dig in there with your fingernail, you run the risk of irritating your skin and wasting a lot of the berry.
I like to pop ’em instead. You can use a regular straw but I like to use a plastic re-usable straw because they’re a little more sturdy but either kind will work.
Place the strawberry leaf side down and insert the straw into the tip. Now, take the strawberry (it’s like a strawberry on a stick at this point) and continue to press the straw right through the strawberry and out the other end. The leaf should pop right off!
You might need to gently twist the straw as you push it through if it doesn’t easily just glide right out the other side.
No knife required and it’ll save your fingernails! You can pop a whole container of strawberries in no time.
Want to contact Laura McKenna about a little trick you swear by? Anything else on your mind? Email anytime, she’d love to hear from you: [email protected]
And tune in weekdays starting at 10am to St. Croix Country & WCFW!

More Articles By Laura McKenna

10.08.25
In The Kitchen with Laura McKenna: Pierogi
I’m always amazed to hear that so many people have never had a pierogi! You have no idea what you’re missing. Homemade versions are delicious but there’s nothing wrong with grabbing a box from the frozen food aisle to try. You can boil these mashed potato dumplings and garnish as you wish…. Or, try my […]
Read More >

10.06.25
Movie Review: The Exorcism of Emily Rose
The fact that I waited 20 years to watch this movie is a crying shame! The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005) combines two of my favorite kinds of movies: Courtroom Dramas and Scary Movies (especially the demonic possession kind). For fans of the show Ozark, you’ll recognize Laura Linney. She plays the defense attorney that […]
Read More >

09.29.25
Movie Review: Trap
It pains me to say this about an M. Night Shyamalan movie, but I found one I didn’t like. We’ve joked on the show that I should be the captain of the “Give M. Night Movies A Try” fan club because the critics are usually so harsh and while I haven’t seen all of his […]
Read More >

09.24.25
In The Kitchen with Laura McKenna: Orange Vinaigrette Recipe
I’ve been on an Oil & Vinegar dressing kick lately but I also like a zingy Raspberry Vinaigrette every now and again. I had a few extra oranges on hand and thought- How about an Orange Vinaigrette? That might be tasty! So I messed around and came up with this perfect ratio of a sweet […]
Read More >