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| Rely On Blueberries-Plus-Four For Quick, Creative Dishes |
Photos courtesy of U.S.Highbush Blueberry Council.
Start with juicy sweet blueberries, add four more ingredients and you have easy dishes that can be served often. From earliest spring right through summer and into crisp autumn days, fresh blueberries are available in abundance, though you can find them in the market most of the year. (Year round, of course, you can always count on frozen or canned blues.) Versatile blueberries are easy to enjoy in all the traditional ways—over cereal and ice cream, in pancakes and muffins, or simply by the handful. They add zip, flavor and nutrition to everyday family meals and can play a starring role in warm-weather entertaining menus. Another attractive summer meal finale is Blueberry-Kiwi Dessert Pizza. To make this fun dessert, simply spread a “crust” made with prepared cookie dough, then add a thin layer of marshmallow fluff and a generous sprinkle of fresh blueberries, kiwifruit and chopped nuts. How do blueberries fit into other parts of the meal? Very nicely, thank you. Consider Blueberry and Goat Cheese Salad for starters. A cooling first course, this colorful plus-four salad is light yet very flavorful. Tangy Blueberry Chutney is an appealing sweet-and-sour condiment that goes with pork tenderloin, ham grilled chicken or fish. Another idea: Spoon a dab of blueberry chutney on a cream-cheese-smeared cracker to make a delightful party finger food. For more blueberry recipes that add fun, flavor and color to warm-weather meals, visit www.ushbc.org. DOUBLE BLUEBERRY PIE 
1 frozen or homemade pie shell (9 inch)1 jar (16 ounces) blueberry jam or fruit spread 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 2 cups fresh blueberries Sweetened whipped cream or vanilla ice cream (as needed) Following package or recipe directions, prebake pie shell; cool. In a microwaveable dish, combine blueberry jam and cinnamon. Microwave on high until mixture liquefies, about 1minute. Stir in fresh blueberries. Spoon blueberry mixture into prepared shell. Chill. Serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. YIELD: 6 portions This five-ingredient pie gets a delicious double whammy from fresh blueberries and blueberry jam. ~*~ BLUEBERRY-KIWI DESSERT PIZZA 1 package (18 ounces) refrigerated cookie dough 1 cup prepared marshmallow fluff (from a 7-1/2 ounce jar) 2 cups fresh blueberries 1 kiwi, peeled, halved and sliced 1/4 cup chopped walnuts Preheat oven to 350°F. Slice cookie dough as directed on package. Arrange slices in bottom of an ungreased 14-inch pizza pan. Using floured fingers, press dough evenly in pan. Bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes; cool. Spread marshmallow fluff over cookie crust, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges. Arrange blueberries and kiwi slices on top. Sprinkle with chopped walnuts. Blueberry-Orange Dessert Pizza: Substitute 1 can (8 ounces) mandarin oranges, drained, and 1/4 cup coarsely chopped pistachios for the kiwi and walnuts. YIELD: 8 portions ~*~ BLUEBERRY AND GOAT CHEESE SALAD 4 cups mixed salad greens 3 to 4 ounces goat cheese or other soft cheese 1 cup fresh blueberries 1/2 cup pecans or walnuts* 1/4 cup prepared Italian or balsamic dressing Arrange greens on four salad plates, dividing evenly. Slice or shape goat cheese to form four rounds; arrange in center of each plate. Sprinkle blueberries and pecans on greens. Drizzle dressing over salads. YIELD: 4 portions * To crisp nuts and bring out their full flavor, toast them in a 300º F oven for about 5 minutes. ~*~ TANGY BLUEBERRY CHUTNEY 1/2 cup chopped onion 1/4 cup sugar 1/4 cup golden raisins 1/4 cup cider vinegar 1 cup fresh blueberries, divided In a small saucepan, combine onion, sugar, raisins and vinegar; bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer until sugar dissolves, about 3 minutes. Add 1/2 cup of the blueberries; simmer until saucy, about 5 minutes. Add the remaining 1/2 cup blueberries; simmer 1 minute longer. Serve with chicken, pork tenderloin or ham. YIELD: about 1 cup U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council 4995 Golden Foothill Parkway, Suite #2 El Dorado Hills, CA 95762 For more blueberry info visit: www.blueberry.org Related articles: Keep Your Cool With Quick And Classy Blueberry Treats Healthful Treats made with Blueberries Quick Blueberry Treats To Enjoy All Day Long Bountiful Berry Harvest Smoothies  Recommended ReadingThe Wild Berry Book : Romance, Recipes, & Remedies (Camp and Cottage) by Kate Letcher Lyle "Having been a berry lover and berry picker since a young girl, I found this to be a very lovely and interesting book. Lovely for the beautiful pictures of so many berries. Interesting for the variety of berries pictured and described. There are so many berries I've seen and wondered about, not daring to pick and eat, or being aware they are edible, not knowing how they are to be eaten. Now I have a reference. The book is a feast for the eyes with lots of useful information.~ Kathy Penn" (courtesy: Amazon) |
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