Delicious Blueberries on display at a local farmer's market.

My most recent food challenge has been to create recipes around the antioxidant power house, THE BLUEBERRY.  Not too sweet, with hints of tartness, this berry turns out to be quite versatile.  Because this summers sun-drenched crop was so huge, blueberries were plentiful at farmers markets, grocery stores and u-pick farms.

After lugging home case after case of this super fruit, I feel confident about the relationship we share.  Here are some tips on how to get along:

When buying blueberries:
• Look carefully through the package for mold.
• Look for plump dark blue berries.

Storage:
• If you are going to use in 2-3 days, wash thoroughly and let dry slightly and place in a Tupperware container in your fridge.
• Make sure to look for damaged or moldy berries while washing.  If you let a moldy berry into your storage bin it will spread to the rest of your berries.

Recipes:
• If you have several cups of extra blueberries, make them into a Blueberry Compote and use as a topping for pancakes, oatmeal, or Caramelized Onion, and Goat Cheese Bruchetta.
• Take a twist on pizza and try my Three Cheese and Blueberry Pizza.
• Get a double dose of blueberries with the Mixed Greens with Dried Blueberries Tossed in a Blueberry Vinaigrette and Topped with Goat Cheese Croutons.
• The perfect finish to your meal is my Blueberry Crumble desert.

I hope you enjoy these blueberry recipes as much as I did making them.

Blueberry Compote
Makes about 3 1/2 -4 cups

Ingredients

• 4 1/2 cups blueberries
• 4 cups strawberries, sliced
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice

Directions

1. Combine all of the ingredients into a medium sauce pot.  Turn heat on medium and bring to a simmer, reduce heat to medium/low and let reduce for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2. Remove from heat and cool.  Use right away or place in jars for later use.
3. Keeps in the refrigerator for about 1 week and in the freezer for up to 6 months.

You can make your own dough or buy it from grocery stores like Trader Joe’s or from your local pizza parlor.  Make sure to get prosciutto di parma, its texture and flavor make all the difference. You can add more or less to each pizza based on your preference.

Click here to read more and get the recipe.

Click here to read more and get the recipe.

Goat Cheese Bruschetta with Blueberry Compote

The Goat Cheese Bruschcetta is a perfect appetizer to serve with almost any dish and the blueberry compote adds a sweet flavor to the goat cheese!

Click here to read more and get the recipe.

Blueberry Lemon Tart

This desert is a delicious lemon pie with fresh blueberries and a dab of whip cream.

Click here to read more and get the recipe.