RED, WHITE AND BLUE CELEBRATING THE 4TH OF JULY
Summer berries are arriving at our Harvest Home farmers markets, make sure to visit us at our Bronx, Manhattan and Brooklyn locations for our fresh picked and naturally grown produce. Blueberries and strawberries are packed with antioxidants that fight disease and are good for a healthy heart. Berries have a short growing season so grab them while you can.
This 4th of July, have a picnic gathering with family or friends and bring along some berries which are a delicious way to add festive colors and sweetness to any summer dish.
Energize yourself with a refreshing mix of strawberries, blueberries and low-fat vanilla yogurt. Yogurt adds sweetness without extra calories and helps your digestion. Freeze blueberries for an icy snack.
Bring some zing to your picnic with Red, White and Blue Berry salsa.
Mix together in a large bowl:
1 cup fresh blueberries and 1 cup of diced strawberries
1 cup diced jicama or water chestnuts
1/3 cup cilantro
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
2 Tablespoons finely chopped stemmed and seeded jalapeno pepper (add more for a spicier taste)
Juice from a 1/2 lime
Add some sweets to your celebration. Strawberry, blueberry shortcake is an easy winner: Toss a few cups of berries with a little sugar and let them sit for an hour. Put them on biscuits, cake, ice cream or lemon sherbet. Or try fresh strawberry pie for dessert. See recipe below.
Any way you combine these berries, it’s a treat for your mouth and a boost for your body’s health.
Enjoy, and have a Happy 4th of July Celebration!
RED, WHITE AND BLUE "BERRY" DELICIOUS DESSERTS
RECIPE: Fresh Strawberry Pie
A No-Bake pie with fresh uncooked strawberries. Great for the hot weather.
INGREDIENTS:
6 cups of strawberries (3-4 pints)
1/2 cup sugar
3 Tablespoons corn starch
9 inch baked pastry shell for bottom pie crust
Water
PREPARATION:
Prepare/bake pastry shell and let cool
Mash up 2 cups of strawberries and add enough water to make 1 1/2 cups of liquid.
Place in a sauce pan with corn starch and sugar.
Cook, stirring constantly until the mixture thicken, about 5 minutes or less. Cool slightly.
Put remaining strawberries in pastry shell and pour on the cooked strawberries. Chill.
TIPS: Berries for Today and Tomorrow
HOW TO KEEP DELICIOUS
Store blueberries and strawberries in the fridge without washing. Wash them just before using and let dry on a paper towel.
Blueberries like to be frozen separately so you can get as many or as few as you feel like from the freezer. Lay them on a cookie sheet and freeze. Put frozen berries in a plastic zip-lock bag for storage. On a hot day, let a few melt in your mouth or save them to remember the taste of summer in the winter.
MORE WAYS TO EAT NOW
Sprinkle fresh berries on your cereal for a real morning treat and energy boost.
SUPER SMOOTHIES
Make smoothies with strawberries, blueberries and bananas. No sugar needed. Have them for a summer breakfast or a snack.
Use either either milk or fat-free yogurt or both along with a delicious refreshing taste, you get calcium for your bones and antioxidants to keep you healthy.
For a frozen smoothie: Add 3-4 ice cubes to the blender to make a frozen snack.