Show Me Some Sugar, Sugar!

Following the berry theme here on the blog, I'd like to pass along a Summer Berry Pie recipe as we wind down another summertime. I hope your summer hasn't been as rainy as mine. I've been trying to get to the farm to pick blackberries for the past 3 weeks. It hasn't happened yet... but it might happen tomorrow if there are any left. For this recipe you'll need fresh blueberries, raspberries and blackberries. Be sure to measure out your berries carefully. If you come up short on a certain berry type just make up the difference with the extras of what you do have. When pureeing the berries, be sure to process them for a full minute. Apple jelly can be substituted if red currant isn't available. I highly recommend the red currant jelly, though.

RECIPE INGREDIENTS

For the Graham Cracker Crust:

9 graham crackers, broken into rough pieces

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and warm

For the Berry Filling:

2 cups fresh raspberries (about 9 ounces)

2 cups fresh blackberries (about 11 ounces)

2 cups fresh blueberries (about 10 ounces)

1/2 cup granulated sugar (3 1/2 ounces)

2-1/2 tablespoons cornstarch 1 tbsp. strawberry Jello

1/8 teaspoon table salt

1 tablespoon lemon juice from 1 lemon

2 tablespoons red currant jelly

For the Whipped Cream:

1 cup heavy cream (cold)

1 tablespoon granulated sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS
FOR THE CRUST:
Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 325º F.

In food processor, process graham crackers until evenly fine, about 30 seconds (you should have 1 cup crumbs). Add sugar and pulse to combine. Continue to pulse while adding warm melted butter in steady stream; pulse until mixture resembles wet sand. Transfer crumbs to 9-inch glass pie plate; form crust using a 1/2-cup dry measuring cup. Bake crust until it begins to brown, 15 to 18 minutes; transfer to wire rack and cool completely while making filling.

FOR THE FILLING:
Combine berries in large colander and gently rinse; spread berries on paper towel-lined rimmed baking sheet and gently pat dry with additional paper towels.

In food processor, puree 2- 1/2 cups mixed berries until smooth and fully pureed, about
1 minute. Strain puree through mesh strainer into small nonreactive saucepan, scraping and pressing on seeds to extract as much puree as possible (you should have 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 cups). Whisk sugar, cornstarch, Jello and salt in small bowl to combine, then whisk mixture into puree. Bring puree to boil over medium heat, stirring constantly with wooden spoon; when mixture reaches a boil and is thickened to consistency of pudding, remove from heat, stir in lemon juice, and set aside to cool slightly.

While puree is cooling, place remaining berries in medium bowl. Heat jelly in second small saucepan over low heat until fully melted; drizzle melted jelly over berries and toss gently to coat. Pour slightly cooled puree into cooled pie shell; top with fresh berries. Loosely cover pie with plastic wrap; refrigerate until chilled and puree has set, about 4 hours (or up to 1 day).

FOR THE WHIPPED CREAM:
Just before serving, beat cream, sugar, and vanilla with electric mixer on low speed until small bubbles form, about 30 seconds. Increase speed to medium; continue beating until beaters leave trail, about 30 seconds longer. Increase speed to high; continue beating until cream is smooth, thick, nearly doubled in volume, and forms soft peaks, about 30 to 60 seconds.

Cut pie into wedges and serve with whipped cream.

I was recently blessed with a bountiful package of blueberries that arrived on my doorstep. Bountiful indeed - they had a fresh from the field taste. A big “thank you” goes out to Atlantic Blueberry Co. and www.fromthefarm.com, a virtual farmer's market. The berries were a delight in that they didn’t turn to mush in my muffins and added a delicious flavor, tasted only in fresh summer berries. I was tempted to freeze a few just to see if they would taste as good in January. We ate every last one. Not a berry went undevoured. (yes, I made up that word) These were the juiciest, most plump blueberries I’ve ever had. Great pleasure was taken in making them the star attraction of a couple of my summer berry desserts.

The mammoth sized berries had a pure sweetness to them I have not found in our local North Carolina mountain berries. The photo to the right shows you the difference. Here, we usually get a smaller berry that has a crisp tartness that chases the first pop of sweetness. I’m not complaining. They have their perfect function in my kitchen as well. I’ve got a new love, though, in the blueberries from Atlantic. They make quite an impression in your salads, baked goods and especially desserts (think trifles) because they hold their shape, add bold color, and add naturally sweet flavor. They don’t get lost in the mix of other berries or ingredients.

I was raised running through huckleberry bushes, barefoot, grabbing the berries before the birds got them. My taste buds have become accustomed to the wild, blue-black berry that closely resembles (and is often mistaken for) the blueberry. The huckleberry, however, has 10 small, hard seeds in the center, whereas the blueberry has more seeds than can be counted, so tiny that they're barely noticeable. Additionally, the huckleberry has a thicker skin and a flavor that is less sweet and more tart. Our local berries (perfect for pies) are a closer cousin to the huckleberry than the sweeter Atlantic blueberry.

Did you know the phrase "a huckleberry over my persimmon" was used to mean "a bit beyond my abilities"? I just thought I’d throw that in.

Go ahead and jot down a “note to self” reminding you to check the www.fromthefarm.com website next Spring to see when the blueberries are ready to ship. The dessert featured at the left is called "Summer Berry Bake" and is featured in The America's Test Kitchen Family Baking Book. It's full of cream cheese and lemon curd. Use any berries you like, or a combination.

By the way, does anyone out there have a good blueberry chutney recipe?

Atlantic Blueberry Co. is located in Hammonton, New Jersey. Contact them at (609) 561.8600. Visit From The Farm at www.fromthefarm.com