Today marks the first day of summer for 2013, and we're deep in the swing of a wonderful strawberry season in southeast Michigan.

Cooler temperatures in May and June have slowed fruit growth and development, according to the Michigan State Extension southeast Michigan fruit report. This has caused a delay in ripening of strawberries at most farms.

If you're planning on heading out to pick your own, make sure to call the farm ahead of time to make sure that there are berries to pick. Many farms are closing to pickers several days a week, and are often picked out before noon on picking days.

I haven't been picking yet this year, but I have had luck finding delicious and sweet Michigan berries at local grocery stores and farmers markets. So much luck, in fact, that I've been looking around for more recipes to feature them.

In case you're in the same (wonderful) bind, here's a quick and easy recipe round up to use up your berry bounty:

Strawberry rhubarb bread pudding - spicy and sweet dessert makes most of spring fruit

Strawberry-Rhubarb Cake the perfect combination of sweet and tart

Strawberry rhubarb crisp is consummate comfort food

Make this delicious strawberry summer cake with fresh, in-season berries

Strawberry season is time to make an Eton Mess

When life gives you strawberries, make strawberry basil sorbet

Classic Strawberry Shortcake

Dark chocolate covered strawberries: U-pick, U-dip and U-impress

Tres Leches Cake with strawberries

Creamy, delicious roasted strawberry and buttermilk ice cream

Additionally, The Huffington Post has a gallery with 30 strawberry-focused photos and recipes.

Want to preserve some for later in the year? Here's a simple guide to four different methods for preparing strawberries for freezing.

And here's a step-by-step how-to video on making strawberry jam:

Want to experience this glorious strawberry season with the minimal amount of effort? Head over to Sidetrack Bar & Grill in Ypsilanti's Depot Town with a half dozen of your closest friends to share this strawberry shortcake:

Jessica Webster leads the Food & Grocery section for AnnArbor.com, a part of the MLive Media Group. Reach her at JessicaWebster@annarbor.com. You also can follow her on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's email newsletters.