Tag: blackberries

  • Berry Yogurt

    Berry Yogurt

    It’s springtime and berries are back in season. Sure, you can find berries in the grocery store almost any time of the year, but more often than not, they look a little sad and travel-worn.

    I’m talking about berries you can find at your local farmers market, the kind more than likely grown just within a few miles from where you live. Yes, the kind that is bursting with nutritious ripeness because they were harvested the morning you bought it. (See Superfoods: 11 Berries to Improve Your Health.)

    Now I could probably eat a whole pint of any of these berries in one sitting, just popping each one in my mouth like popcorn. But for a heavier breakfast or dessert, I like to put it on top of a bowl of raw organic yogurt.

    Raw organic yogurt is dairy that is fermented with beneficial bacteria, for a healthy digestive system. (See 10 Proven Probiotic Yogurt Benefits & Nutrition Facts.) My local health food store stocks them from a local organic dairy farm. They come in flavors such as maple, vanilla and blueberry, but I’m a stickler for keeping it simple. I get plain for its versatility.

    Raw organic yogurt is not the same as the mass-produced yogurt you can buy in the grocery stores, which is over-processed through pasteurization, killing all the beneficial bacteria naturally occurring in raw milk. Then they add back a starter culture of live bacteria, thickeners, preservatives, and artificial sweeteners. It is nowhere near the creamy goodness I get in a mason jar from my local organic dairy farm. Believe me, it’s really worth it to find a local source for raw organic yogurt, and when you do…

    Scoop out some of that raw organic yogurt into a bowl, drizzle maple syrup to taste, and sprinkle your favorite berries on top. You’re welcome.

    Raw #yogurt with #berries and maple syrup. #organic #raspberries #blueberries #blackberries

    A photo posted by Modern Wife (@modernwife) on

  • Blackberry Sorbet

    Blackberry Sorbet

    We just got several pints of sweet juicy blackberries. We ate the first pint the day the berries were picked. The rest of them went into Blackberry Sorbet that will last us for as long as it’s in the freezer. We love it so much; I doubt it will be in there too long. Here is the recipe:

    Ingredients:
    1 cup water
    1 cup organic sugar
    2 pints blackberries
    juice of half a lemon

    Combine water and sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat, whisking regularly to dissolve sugar into water. Do not bring to a boil. Remove from heat once sugar is completely dissolved in water. Set aside and allow to cool.

    While the sugar syrup is cooling, mash blackberries. Add lemon juice and puree in blender. Pour through a sieve into a bowl, whisking to help the blackberry puree come through the sieve more efficiently. Throw away seeds filtered by the sieve.

    Pour cooled sugar syrup into blackberry puree and refrigerate at least an hour.

    Prepare ice cream maker according to manufacturer’s instructions. Churn at least 30 minutes or until thickened into a soft serve consistency. Transfer to an airtight container and freeze overnight to ripen into a firm sorbet.

    This deep purple Blackberry Sorbet is a decadent after dinner dessert while looking at the summer sunset.