Every spring, I count down the weekends until the local berry farm is ready to open for harvests. Then, full of visions of jam, pie, muffins and just plain eating, I load box after box with sweet, sun-ripened berries. (I can’t resist sneaking a few into my mouth, too.)
My husband always protests at the amount of berries I want to bring home, but after a few days all that remains are a few smushed berries at the bottom of a box, and the days seem just a tiny bit less full of sunshine. Obviously, berries are one of my favorite foods. In fact, I love berries so much that I have raspberries tattooed on my arm – a permanent ode to nature’s sweet gifts.
Even though berry season isn’t as permanent, it’s easy to get creative and find ways to enjoy them in every meal, all summer long.
Brighten up breakfast on the go with a Strawberry Lassi opens in a new tab, Blueberry Muffin Smoothie opens in a new tab or Pineapple Raspberry Smoothie opens in a new tab.
If you’re a fan of flapjacks, we’ve got you covered with Whole Wheat Blueberry Pancakes opens in a new tab, Ricotta-Strawberry Pancakes opens in a new tab or Cinnamon Pancakes with Blueberry Compote opens in a new tab.
Entertaining is made sweet with Gluten-Free Baked Berry French Toast opens in a new tab – just call it bread pudding if you serve it after breakfast hours!
Luncheon salads get even more refreshing with the addition of berries. Try Raspberry-Walnut Salad with Mt. Tam Cheese opens in a new tab or the lushly hued Greens and Green Beans Salad with Blueberry Dressing opens in a new tab.
Go for a snack or appetizer with Strawberry and Goat Cheese Bruschetta opens in a new tab.
Ready for dinner? Combine sweet with savory and try Baked Salmon with Spinach and Strawberry Salsa opens in a new tab, Pork Medallions with Raspberry Sauce opens in a new tab or Green Salad with Rotisserie Chicken and Blackberry Dressing opens in a new tab.
Chocolate is the perfect partner for sweet and tart berries. Make Chocolate-Strawberry Ice Cream Cake opens in a new tab or Chocolate-Raspberry Cupcakes opens in a new tab for a crowd.
Double up on the tastes of summer with Blackberry and Peach Buttermilk Cobbler opens in a new tab, or skip baking with this crunchy Raw Berry Crisp opens in a new tab.
Be they raspberries, blackberries, strawberries or blueberries, what’s your favorite way to enjoy summer’s fruitful harvest?
