100 Ways with Fresh Berries

Berry cobblers, muffins, and tarts are all fine and good, but a little variety can really whet your appetite. Try these unexpected ways with berries to impress your guests and get ready for summer.

Blueberry Salsa

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas
Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

























Ingredients
2 cups coarsely chopped fresh blueberries
1 cup whole fresh blueberries
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
2 jalapeño peppers, seeded and minced
1/3 cup diced red bell pepper
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Preparation
Toss ingredients together in a large bowl. Serve immediately, or cover and chill 8 hours.

Related Article: Fresh Summer Peach Recipes


Chilled Blueberry Soup
























Ingredients
4 cups fresh blueberries
1 cup orange juice
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 pint half-and-half
Garnish: mint sprigs

Preparation
Bring first 5 ingredients to a boil in a saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring often. Remove from heat, and slightly cool.

Process blueberry mixture and lemon juice in a blender or food processor until smooth, stopping to scrap down sides. Cover and chill until ready to serve.

Stir in half-and-half just before serving. Garnish, if desired.

Related Article: Chill Out with Soup this Summer

Blackberry Cocktails

Photo: Jim Franco
Photo: Jim Franco

























Ingredients
1 (0.75-oz.) package fresh mint sprigs
12 (1/4-inch-thick) cucumber slices
1 (6-oz.) packages fresh blackberries
3/4 cup fresh lime juice (about 3 limes)
8 to 12 tsp. turbinado sugar (Superfine or powdered sugar may be substituted.)
1 cup plus 2 Tbsp. gin
1 cup cold club soda
Crushed ice
Garnishes: cucumber slices, fresh blackberries, lime wedges, mint sprigs

Preparation
Place first 5 ingredients in a large pitcher. Gently press mint leaves, cucumbers, and blackberries against side of pitcher with a wooden spoon to release flavors. Stir in gin and club soda. Serve over ice. Garnish, if desired.

Related Article: Fire Up Your Grill for Grilled Lemonade

Creamy Strawberry Mint Pie

Photo: Jennifer Davick
Photo: Jennifer Davick

























Ingredients
1/2 (18-oz.) package reduced-fat cream-filled chocolate sandwich cookies (about 22 cookies)
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 qt. fat-free or low-fat strawberry frozen yogurt
1 (16-oz.) package fresh strawberries, hulled
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
Garnishes: fresh strawberry slices, edible flowers, Strawberry Sauce

Preparation
Preheat oven to 350°. Process cookies and butter in a food processor until finely chopped. Firmly press mixture on bottom and up sides of a lightly greased 9-inch springform pan. Bake 10 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack (about 30 minutes).

Let frozen yogurt stand at room temperature 20 minutes or until slightly softened.

Process strawberries, powdered sugar, and mint in food processor until strawberries are pureed, stopping to scrap down sides as needed.

Place frozen yogurt in a large bowl; cut into large (3-inch) pieces. Fold strawberry mixture into yogurt until smooth. Spoon mixture into prepared crust. Freeze 3 hours or until firm. Let stand at room temperature 15 minutes before serving. Garnish, if desired.

For more recipes with berries, readSouthern Living's100 Ways with Berries

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