Summer Berries
Source of Recipe
Grandpoohbah
Berries, how do we love thee? Let us count the ways. You are the essence of
summer distilled into a juicy little package. You require no preparation or fuss in
order to be perfect and delicious. You seem like a gorgeously sinful indulgence, but
are, in fact, low in calories and high in vitamins and fiber. And you come in so many
tempting varieties, from blueberries and huckleberries, to raspberries, blackberries,
boysenberries, Marion berries, and more!
Vary Your Berries
Berries can be a luscious part of any meal. For a quick breakfast, toss berries in the
blender with some yogurt, ice, and fruit juice. Blend until smooth, and you have a
perfect meal-on-the-go. Sprinkle berries over a chicken salad for a lunch you'll be
looking forward to all morning. Keep berry muffins on hand for a nutritious snack.
For dinner, try creating berry-laden sauces or fruity salsas to make pork or chicken
rise above the ordinary. And don't forget dessert! Summer just wouldn't be complete
without a few helpings of juicy, crumbly berry cobbler, or succulent, flaky berry pie.
Care for Your Berries
Berries do not ripen after picking, so look for those that are dark in color.
Blueberries (and huckleberries, if you're lucky enough to find them) should be deep
purple or blue-black. Red raspberries should be deep red, not pink. Boysenberries
are still dark purple when they're ripe, but blackberries and Marion berries should be
just about pitch-black. When buying berries, examine the carton closely to ensure
that it's not leaky or stained, as these signs indicate that the berries are old or have
been improperly handled. Store berries uncovered in the refrigerator, and eat them
as soon as possible: they don't keep for long.
If you're lucky enough to find yourself with more berries than you know what to do
with, remember that berries freeze very well. If you wash them before freezing, allow
them to dry completely. Now arrange them in a single layer on a cookie sheet and
freeze them until they're good and firm. Now you can pack them into plastic bags or
freezer containers without danger of smashing the berries. This method also ensures
that the berries will not stick together, enabling you to use just a few from the
container without having to defrost them all. To bake with frozen berries, there's no
need to defrost them first.
Share your Berries
You may have noticed that raspberries and blackberries are quite expensive in
grocery stores, even when the season is at its peak. That's because these berries are
extremely delicate and highly perishable; they must be gently picked by hand, then
carefully packed into cartons and shipped immediately. This process is
time-consuming, and is therefore quite costly to berry producers. If you'd like to pick
your own, find out if there are any farms in your area that allow you to pick your own
berries. This can be a fun family outing, and at the end of the day, you can make your
favorite berry treats together!
|
|
member logon
