The Month of Blueberries!

Fresh Local Blueberries!

The month of July is the month of blueberries!  Blueberries that are locally grown and available at farmers' markets and also ready to be purchased at roadside stands.  After the "buy local" freshly picked blueberries are purchased it is a tradition for me to prepare many of them to store in freezer bags and place the labeled/ dated bags in our freezer.  I always appreciate just reaching into our freezer to take out a bag to defrost during the colder months of the year.

Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes

Not all of the juicy blueberries find their way into our freezer.  A batch of Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes are always prepared that week and enjoyed for breakfast! It is a favorite breakfast here. I have been making these pancakes for so many years!  Click here for recipe.  Oh, there are definitely extras.  Those extras are placed in the freezer for quick breakfasts on other mornings.  Reheating the pancakes in the microwave is so easy on a busy morning.   

Another treat is to bake a batch of Yummy Blueberry Muffins!  Yummy definitely is a great description for these muffins!  Click here for recipe.  A fresh muffin or two really hits the spot.  After they cool, a few muffins also find a spot in the freezer.  It is a nice surprise to find and defrost a few weeks later.

Yummy Blueberry Muffins

Fresh local blueberries are just delicious!  Delicious for snacking, for adding to cereal and also to use when baking.  Do you purchase fresh local blueberries?

Enjoy!
Yummy!

                

Blueberry Torte

Blueberry Torte
(File Photo)

A Blueberry Torte!  It is one delicious dessert!  Whenever I bake this torte it always looks just like the photo above, too!  Never fail.  A slice of this yummy treat tastes even better when it is served with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream on top!  There is no need to only bake it for a special occasion.  However, with Valentine's Day approaching I have been thinking of baking one for us to enjoy!
 

Ready to be baked!
(File Photo)

Either fresh blueberries or frozen (and defrosted) blueberries can be used.  Sometimes, after we have enjoyed a slice of Blueberry Torte, I cut 2 slices to wrap/ freeze.  What a special treat to find them in our freezer in a few weeks!

Click here for the easy recipe for Blueberry Torte.  Then, add any ingredients that you do not already have to your grocery list.  Bake one this weekend!

Enjoy!
Yummy!  

Yummy Blueberry Muffins

Yummy Blueberry Muffins!
(File Photo)

Yesterday, baking a batch of Yummy Blueberry Muffins was on my agenda.  In the summer when the local fresh blueberries are "in season" my "to do" list includes purchasing/ cleaning/ and freezing the local berries.  Then, whenever blueberries are needed for a recipe, I reach into our freezer and take out a bag.  The day before a bag of frozen blueberries is needed it is placed in our fridge to defrost overnight.   

Yummy Blueberry Muffins is a dessert that is easy to prepare and tastes so good.  After they are baked there is always a "taste test"!  That is a great excuse to enjoy a warm muffin.  My recipe makes 22- 23 muffins, so half of them are always saved to enjoy in the next few days.  The other half?  They are placed in freezer bags and into the freezer they go.  It is a great treat to find them in a few weeks.   

I have been baking these muffins for so many years!  A small amount of cinnamon adds to the delicious taste.  They are definitely a family favorite!

Click here for the recipe!  If you do not have frozen blueberries in your freezer, purchase a container of fresh blueberries to bake a batch!

Enjoy!
Yummy!   

~Blueberry Torte~

~Blueberry Torte~
(File Photo)

There were fresh local blueberries in our fridge, so the timing was right! I had been thinking about baking a Blueberry Torte ever since the Blueberry Freezer Jam was ready to be placed in our freezer. That was about a week ago. Yesterday was the designated day to take out my springform pan and bake this delicious dessert.  I have learned it is very easy to cut slices to serve if I bake this dessert in the springform pan. The sides of the pan are removed while the torte continues to cool.  That pan comes in handy and is not only used when baking cheesecakes.

A few years ago I wrote a post that included the ingredients and the directions for this yummy dessert. Click here to view it.  

Ready to be placed in the oven!
(File Photo)

 
Yes, frozen/ defrosted blueberries can be used in this recipe. In my area the local juicy yummy berries are ripe now, so it is a great time to bake this. Quite often I save out 2 slices and freeze them, so we may enjoy them at a later date.  It is a wonderful surprise to open the freezer door to look for a special treat. And find slices of Blueberry Torte! 

Before serving a slice of this yummy Blueberry Torte, place a small amount of vanilla ice cream on top!  It is so good! Bake one this summer!

Enjoy!
Yummy!

Blueberry Season

~Local Fresh Blueberries~

It's been that time of year! Time to purchase the local fresh Blueberries!  One morning about a week ago my tradition continued.  

The tradition is freezing Blueberries and Blueberry Freezer Jam!  I wrote the linked highlighted Post exactly two years ago.   

The fresh local blueberries were purchased and in the afternoon they were prepped for our freezer.  Yes, some were saved for munching, for the Jam and also for Blueberry Pancakes!  There was even some to add to cereal to enjoy at breakfast.  Yum and double yum!!

I did write the words "about a week ago".  This past year+ I have been cooking/ baking a lot!  Like so many of you have been.  Well, that led to me not blogging as much.        

Last year I did not prepare the Freezer Jams.  There were some containers left from the previous year and they tasted delicious!  However, this year they are finding their place in our freezer.  If blueberries grow in your area have you purchased them to freeze?  Or to prepare Freezer Jam?  They are so delicious! 

Enjoy!
Yummy!          

Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes

Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes
Extras waiting to be packaged/placed in our freezer.
(File Photo)

Tomorrow is Father's Day, so I know what I will be preparing for breakfast on this special day!  The blueberries have been defrosting overnight in the fridge.  Buttermilk was purchased earlier in the week.  I always have the remainder of the ingredients.  Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes are my DH's favorite breakfast, so I will be making them!

If you are deciding what to prepare for breakfast tomorrow for the Dad in your household make a batch of these!  They are delicious!  If you do not have Blueberries in your freezer, purchase a bag of the frozen Blueberries to defrost or purchase a pint of fresh Blueberries along with the Buttermilk today.

Yes, they do look like the photo in my header on my blog!  There will be extra pancakes, just like in the header photo, so I freeze them so we can enjoy them on other mornings.

For my recipe click here.   

Enjoy!
Yummy!          

To All Dads...

Happy Father's Day!!!

Enjoy your special day!!!

Blueberry Torte

Blueberry Torte cooling!

Blueberries always taste so good!  During the local growing season here in Massachusetts we enjoy them in cereal.  That is also the time when I prep/ freeze them to use in baking desserts during the colder months.  A bag of frozen blueberries was taken out of the freezer 2 days ago, so they could defrost in the fridge.  On New Year's Eve and New Year's Day it's great to enjoy a special dessert.  One that does not require every utensil in my kitchen to prepare and also one that is easy to make.  I'm talking Blueberry Torte!  This was a great choice!  It is so good. 

Click here for the recipe!

This would be a great dessert to bake for any special occasion.  Fresh or frozen/ defrosted blueberries are used.

When serving a slice of this delicious dessert add a little vanilla ice cream or whipped cream on top!

Enjoy!
Yummy!

and...
Happy New Year!!!

Freezing Blueberries and Blueberry Freezer Jam

Suddenly, it was blueberry season!  Oh, you know what that means.  You know the ole' saying- when the fresh local juicy blueberries are ready, purchase a large quantity to freeze and also to prepare Blueberry Freezer Jam!  That was on my agenda the middle of last week.

On Blueberry Day 1- A large quantity were triple rinsed in cold water, drained in a colander and then packaged in freezer bags.

Packaged, labelled & ready
to be placed on our freezer!

 On Blueberry Day 2- That was Blueberry Freezer Jam Day!  This year I prepared 2 batches- each batch was prepared separately.  All of the clean utensils, freezer containers and ingredients were taken out and I started in.  CERTO is the pectin I use- it is a liquid pectin.  The directions are in the CERTO box.  Follow directions exactly!  No shortcuts here! 

After Freezer Jams are prepared and placed in the containers with the lids snapped on and labelled, the containers sit on a table undisturbed for 24 hours.  Then, they are placed in the freezer until needed.  Taking a container out and placing in the fridge is easy enough and it is ready to enjoy on toast, English Muffins or as an addition to plain Yummy Yogurt.

Blueberry Freezer Jam
sitting on the table undisturbed for 24 hours!

It's amazing how time just flies by!  I had intended to post this last week.  The week just went in a flash!  We have also been enjoying fresh local blueberries in cereal, in fruit salads and yes, there was baking going on, too.  That is for other posts.  :)

Enjoy the local fresh fruit!
Yummy!

    

Freezing Blueberries & Jam

Local Blueberries!

The local Blueberries are now available!  That was the signal to me to get busy!  I purchase this yummy sweet fruit and then clean/ freeze the berries to place in Ziploc Freezer bags and we enjoy them in the coming months.  After going through each pint of berries, they are triple washed and then drained.  Packing them away and then placing the labelled bags on "their" shelf in our large freezer.

No, not all of the berries are frozen.  There's still snacking going on and also Blueberry Freezer Jam was prepared.  Each of 3 batches was prepared separately.  After the 24 hour time period, the containers of Jam were also placed in the freezer.  Looking back, I've been preparing Freezer Jam for probably 40 years.  For me it sure is a LOT easier than stirring the mixture over a hot stove on a HHH summer day.  Easy works so well.  This jam is just so yummy!

CERTO is the liquid fruit pectin that I use.  The preparation directions are located inside each box.

CERTO

The key things to remember here:

• Use clean utensils, containers.
• Prepare each batch separately.
• Have ALL ingredients ready to use.
• Follow Directions EXACTLY.

This year I discovered that I had a medley of freezer containers to use.  It was time to place "freezer containers" on my grocery list!

Blueberry Freezer Jam

 Homemade Jam is just the best!!!  Fortunately for us, this year we did not run out of our supply before the first of the new Freezer Jams (Strawberry) was prepared in June.

Do you freeze the local fruit in the summer?  Do you prepare Freezer Jams?

Enjoy!
Yummy!

        

Blueberry Torte

Blueberry Torte
(File Photo)

Decisions, decisions, decisions! There are so many yummy desserts that can be baked to enjoy after a delicious Easter Dinner.  What would be the choice??  Last night the vote was cast!  Blueberry Torte!  A slice of Blueberry Torte served with vanilla ice cream.  That led to a package of frozen local blueberries from our large freezer to be placed in the fridge to defrost overnight.

A slice will be served with vanilla ice cream
(File Photo)

This dessert is always so good.  A light cinnamon flavored cake filled with blueberries.  It taste delicious any time of year.  Did I mention that this dessert is easy to prepare?  It is.

I use 1 Whole Egg + Egg Whites along with Soy Milk when preparing the cake batter.

Click here for my recipe!

The afternoon is moving along and I need to get started!  Now, it's time for me to pull up my recipe on my iPad and get started.

Enjoy!
Yummy!

Happy Easter!!!

         

~Blueberry Freezer Jam~

Blueberry Freezer Jam

July & Blueberries go hand in hand!  It's the month when I purchase the locally grown berries from Calabrese Farms in Southwick, MA & prep them for our freezer.  3 quarts are always saved to make Blueberry Freezer Jam the next day.  It's a tradition with me.  In my mom's kitchen we made the cooked jams, but years later I learned about the easy to prepare freezer jams.  That's my "go to" method!

Certo (liquid pectin), sugar & lemon juice are the other ingredients I use.  The complete directions are found in each box of Certo.  My 1 cup Ziploc freezer containers are located & my kitchen becomes a jam kitchen.  

A certain amount of blueberries are crushed & added to sugar.  They are stirred & the process begins.  It's always handy to have all the ingredients, utensils & containers/ lids ready to use.  Time just flies by after you set the timer. 

On Monday evening 3 batches of Blueberry Freezer Jam were sitting on our dining room table for the 24 hour time period.     

***Always prepare only 1 batch at a time. 

24 hours after the lids are placed on the top (& labelled/ dated) the jams are frozen.

My additional hints for freezer jams.

Do you prepare Freezer Jams?   So delicious!

We'll enjoy it all year!
Yummy!

*Blueberry Torte*

Blueberry Torte
(File Photo)

A Blueberry Torte is baking in my oven!  This dessert rates up there as one of our faves.  It's a treat that can be baked any time of the year.  When you have fresh blueberries or if you've defrosted blueberries.  For me- during the year it's when I've defrosted a bag that's in our large freezer.

It's an easy dessert!  Prepare the batter.  If the batter is too dry, I add 1- 2 Tablespoons more (Soy) Milk & continue mixing.  Place batter in a spring form pan.  Then add the fresh/ defrosted & drained blueberries & press lightly into batter.  Sprinkle on the cinnamon/ sugar mixture & bake.       

Before baking
(File Photo)

Before you know it this delicious dessert will be ready to serve!

Yum!
(File Photo)

 

 

 Click here for the Blueberry Torte Recipe.  It's so good with or without a small scoop of vanilla ice cream!  We do have vanilla ice cream!  :)

Enjoy!
Yummy!

Blueberry Torte

Blueberry Torte

There was one container of local Blueberries sitting on the bottom shelf of our fridge.  There was one container until this past weekend!  It had been too hot to bake!  Now, it was cooler outside & the Blueberries were beckoning me.  Gone was the 8 day heat wave.  Thank goodness!  It's summer, but we do not live in a southern state.  Heat waves that are not as long as that one are much easier to take.

A Blueberry Torte had been on my mind.  This is a great dessert to bake using Marian Burros' & Lois Levine's Plum Torte recipe.  Then, change it a bit.  We like the taste of Blueberries better than Plums, so I bake a Blueberry Torte.   

More of my changes:

• Use 2 Egg Whites + 1 Whole Egg instead of 2 Whole Eggs.
• Add 1 teaspoon Cinnamon into batter.
• Add 1/4 Cup Milk (I use Soy Milk) into batter.
• Sprinkle less Cinnamon/ Sugar on top.  

Ready to place in the oven!

Rather than eat every last piece until the Torte is gone, I cut it into slices.  Who can resist this yummy dessert the day it is baked?  We sure cannot!  But, a little self control is good.  The extra individual slices are packaged in sandwich bags, then into Freezer Bags.  Into the freezer they go.  This Torte is delicious when defrosted, too!

Click here for Blueberry Torte recipe.

If you have 2 Cups of Blueberries, bake this Torte!  If you do not have Blueberries, put them on your grocery list!  It is so good!  Oh, don't forget to add a small scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream on top before serving a slice!

Enjoy!
Yummy!

               

Blueberries & Freezer Jam

Local Blueberry Season is here!

B-l-u-e-b-e-r-r-i-e-s!  Oh, yum!  It's the time of year when the local blue sweet pieces of fruit are ripe!  T'was a week of blueberries for me.

Our winter supply is now packed away in the freezer. 

Definitely Blueberry Freezer Jam was on my agenda, too.  On Wednesday afternoon 2 batches were prepared, separately.  The fresh Blueberries double rinsed under cool running water & drained, Certo, Sugar &  Lemon Juice were placed on my counter- ready to use.  The Ziploc Freezer Containers were washed & dried.  It was time to make the yummy homemade jam!  The directions are found inside each box of Certo.   Before I knew it, the containers were filled & the top was popped in place. 

Then, each container was labelled/ dated including the time it was placed in the plastic Ziploc Freezer Container.  The 2 batches of Blueberry Freezer Jam sat on our dining room table making themselves for the 24 hour wait period.  After 24 hours, into the freezer each container was placed.

If you are interested in Blueberry Freezer Jam, click here for my Helpful Hints!  Homemade Jams & Jellies taste so much better than the commercial brands!

Do you prep/ freeze local fresh Blueberries to use the remainder of the year?

Enjoy!
Yummy!

   

~Blueberry Delisimo~

Blueberry Delisimo

This Sunday is a special day- Mother's Day!!!  All week we have seen advertisements in the newspaper, online & on t.v. reminding us to "get something" special for your mom.  "Getting something" on Sunday that is a very yummy homemade dessert would be an extra special treat!

Days are filled with much to do, so a dessert that takes care of itself in your oven is the way to go.  Blueberry Delisimo topped with vanilla ice cream is oh so good!  It's the dessert that does not look appealing before the baking dish is placed in the oven. 

Before baking in the oven.

Then, magic occurs!  While baking, suddenly there's aromas of Blueberries & Cinnamon.  After the timer buzzes & the oven door is opened, Blueberry juices are bubbling on the edges of the baked cake inside the baking dish!   

This dessert is definitely a family fave.  Many years ago when our older son was "back home" working a late shift, he'd return home exhausted in the wee hours of the morn.  Yes, every night a nutritious dinner was waiting in the fridge for him to microwave.  As the story goes- One night he spied a Blueberry Delisimo first in the fridge.  A spoon, a t.v. & a comfy chair were located.  Spoonful after spoonful was well- delicious!  Suddenly the rose colored Pyrex baking dish was e-m-p-t-y.  Dinner had been cold, yummy & filling.  It was dessert!  From the next day on, this Blueberry dessert was named Blueberry Delisimo.  It is one tasty dessert!

Blueberry Delisimo
Oven:  350°F    Time:  55- 60 Minutes 

Ingredients 
2 Cups Blueberries, defrosted & drained, if not fresh
1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice - I use Realemon.
1 teaspoon additional Flour
1/2 Cup Sugar
1 Cup Flour  
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
1/4 teaspoon Salt
3 Tablespoons solid Crisco shortening
1/2 Cup Milk, can be Soy Milk 
_____________  
Topping
1/2 Cup Sugar
1/4 teaspoon Cinnamon
1 Tablespoon Cornstarch
_____________
7/8 Cup Hot Water - boiled or microwaved for 1 and 1/2 Minutes

Method

1.  Preheat oven to 350°F. 
2.  Spray PAM in a glass 8"x8" pan. 
3.  Place Blueberries in pan.
4.  Sprinkle on the Lemon Juice & the 1 teaspoon additional Flour.
5.  In a small bowl combine Sugar, Flour, Baking Powder & Salt.  
6.  Add solid Crisco shortening.  Blend with pastry blender.
7.  Add Milk, stir together.
8.  Place spoonfuls of mixture over Blueberries.  Then, spread mixture over Blueberries.
9.  In another small bowl, combine additional Sugar, Cinnamon and Cornstarch.  Sprinkle over batter.
10.  Heat water.  Pour water over entire mixture in pan, making sure all dry ingredients are covered with water.
11.  Bake at 350°F for 55- 60 Minutes - until brown on top.  (Use a cake tester, too.)
12.  When serving, place the berries on the top in dessert dishes. Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
13.  Cover and refrigerate any leftover dessert.

***I've been asked about the unusual 7/8 Cup of water.  The reason:  When I used 1 Cup, the blueberry juice bubbled up and my oven was a mess.  When using 3/4 Cup water this dessert was too dry.  My solution - 7/8 Cup easily measured with my Pyrex liquid measuring cup worked well.  :)

This is one mighty fine dessert to share with your Mom!  

Enjoy!
Yummy!

And To all Moms,
Happy Mother's Day!!!

~Blueberry Torte~

Blueberry Torte

Do you enjoy desserts filled with blueberries?  Our supply of the local fruit in the freezer is almost gone!  How did that happen?  There are only 3 bags left.  I had plans for one bag this past week. 

The blueberries were defrosted & good to go!  One stick of unsalted butter was on my counter along with my springform pan.  A Blueberry Torte was on my mind.  This yummy light dessert is filled with 2 cups of blueberries.  Marian Burros' & Lois Levine's very popular Plum Torte is enjoyed by so many people, you've probably seen the basic recipe before.  But, I don't use plums when baking this dessert.  I use blueberries.  Blueberries are just the best with my family, so we enjoy a Blueberry Torte!  It's so delicious!  I've changed the original recipe a bit, but always use a stick of unsalted butter.  Margarine just doesn't make it, here.

My Changes:

• Use 2 Egg Whites + 1 Whole Egg.
• Add 1 teaspoon Cinnamon into batter.
• Add 1/4 Cup Milk (I use Soy Milk) into batter.
• Sprinkle less Cinnamon/ Sugar on top.

After prepping the batter, spoon into a springform pan that has been sprayed with PAM.  Use fresh washed blueberries or defrosted drained frozen blueberries.  Scatter on top of the batter & slightly push in.  Sprinkle on the cinnamon/ sugar mixture & place in the preheated 350°F oven.  In 45- 50 Minutes a yummy dessert is baked!

Ready to be placed in the 350°F oven.

Blueberry Torte
     adapted from Marian Burros' 
     & Lois Levine's Plum Torte recipe

Oven:  350°F          Baking Time:  45- 50 Minutes

Ingredients:
1/4 lb. unsalted Butter, softened  
3/4 Cup Sugar
1 Cup Flour
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
1 teaspoon Cinnamon- can use a little less.
pinch of salt
1 Whole Egg + 2 Egg Whites
1/4 Cup Milk- can be Soy, Whole or Low Fat
2 Cups Blueberries- defrosted, drained frozen or fresh washed 

For Cinnamon/ Sugar Mixture, combine:  

• 1 Tablespoon Sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon

***I've saved an empty Cinnamon container with shaker top to make/ store my Cinnamon/ Sugar Mixture.  
      This comes in very handy!  

Method:  

1. Using a mixer, combine Butter & 3/4 Cup Sugar, beat.
2. To creamed Butter/ Sugar add Flour, Baking Powder, Cinnamon, Salt, Egg + Egg Whites.
3. Beat with mixer.  Batter will be stiff. 
4. Slowly add 1/4 Cup Milk & beat.
5. Using a large spoon place batter in springform pan that has been sprayed with PAM.  Spread evenly.
6. Place Blueberries on top of batter & gently press in slightly.
7. Sprinkle Cinnamon/ Sugar Mixture on top.
8. Bake in preheated 350°F oven for 45- 50 Minutes.
9. Use toothpick or cake tester to test for "doneness".
10. Place on cooling rack for 10 Minutes.
11. Remove sides from springform pan.  Cool longer.
12. When cooled, carefully use a knife to slide between torte & bottom of pan to separate torte easily.
13. Place another cooling rack on top of torte, flip over.  Remove bottom of pan.
14. Then place plate on torte bottom & flip again.
15. Serve slices with vanilla ice cream or dollop of whipped cream.

Slices of this Blueberry Torte also freeze very well!  It's a great dessert surprise to locate in the freezer after a busy day!  However, this time there were no extra slices to freeze.  There are a couple more bags of local blueberries in our freezer!  :)

Enjoy!
Yummy!

           

Yummy Blueberry Freezer Jam

Doing their "thing" for the 24 hour time period.

Homemade Jam! Yum!  It's mid July & earlier this week it was Blueberry Freezer Jam time!  You might say I'm big on tradition.  Definitely that's true in the summer when I buckle down to make the Freezer Jams.  There's a time & place for everything and it's jam time.  Homemade jams taste so much better than the commercial brands. 

Sunday afternoon brought the yearly drive to Calabrese Farms in Southwick, MA to purchase the fresh local Blueberries. 

No longer do I pick them.  It's so much easier to drive out to Southwick & purchase them directly.  Most of the pints did fit inside the large box- to make it easier to carry.  But the last container needed "special treatment", so the blueberries wouldn't spill out all over the trunk of our car.  :) 

After arriving home, it was time for Blueberries, Part II.  Most of the sweet, delicious, blue, juicy berries were washed, drained, packaged in freezer bags & labelled to place in our large freezer.  My year's supply will be enjoyed, especially during the cold winter months.

Not all of these sweet pieces of fruit were frozen.  There's the Blueberries saved for cereal at breakfast this week, the Blueberries for a batch of muffins & also a torte.  And... da da the Blueberries for my Blueberry Freezer Jam.

Freezer Jam is the much easier method to make jam on a hot humid summer day.  It's prepared & then sits undisturbed for 24 hours before placing in the freezer.     

On Monday the CERTO (liquid fruit pectin), Lemon Juice, Sugar & Blueberries in the fridge were collected to begin. The directions for Freezer Jams are found inside the CERTO box along with 2 pouches of the liquid fruit pectin.  My circular 1 cup Ziploc containers had been purchased on amazon a couple months ago- after learning that they are not manufactured any longer.   

Preparing 1 batch at a time, I followed the directions, exactly.  The 1 cup containers & lids had been washed & dried.  I also looked at My Hints before I started.  Click here to view My Hints.  

Preparing Blueberry Freezer Jam
(File Photo)

Now, there are 19 containers of yummy Blueberry Freezer Jam stored in our freezer, along with the Strawberry Freezer Jam.   

Have you made Freezer Jam yet?  It's so good!

Enjoy!
Yummy!