Blueberry-stuffed French Toast

Dishing up Vermont (Cookbook by Tracey Medeiros)

Recipe by Suzanne Heinzerling of Bittersweet Farm B & B

1 loaf bread - cut into 1 inch thick slices
1- 8 oz package of cream cheese cut into chunks
1 cup blueberries
8 eggs
1 1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1/2 cup melted butter

Preheat oven to 350. Grease 11 by 7 by 2 inch glass baking pan. Layer half the bread slices into bottom of pan. Next layer the cream cheese and half the blueberries evenly over top of bread. Top with remaining bread and blueberries. Whisk eggs, milk, syrup, and butter well. Pour over bread mixture. Cover with foil and bake 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 30 minutes or until mixture golden brown. Serve with warm syrup if desired.

Blueberry Peach Crisp

This quick and easy dessert takes only a few minutes to put together. It's a delicious way to enjoy nutrient-rich blueberries. For a twist on the recipe, top with a little vanilla yogurt. This dessert recipe is good enough for company and easy enough to prepare regularly for your family.

Prep and Cook Time: 10 minutes, cooking time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:
oz fresh or frozen blueberries
1 lb of fresh or frozen peach slices
4 cup apple juice

Topping:
1/2 cup almonds
1/2 cup rolled oats
1 cup pitted dates
2 TBS apple juice
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Directions:

Preheat over to 350°F (175°C). Place blueberries in the bottom of a square 8-inch baking pan. If you are
using frozen, make sure they are completely thawed and drained of excess water. Place peach slices
on top of blueberries. If they are frozen make sure they are also thawed and drained of excess water.
Drizzle 1/4 cup apple juice over fruit.

Remove pits from dates and place in the bowl of a food processor along with oats, almonds and cinnamon.
After running the food processor for a minute and the dates have blended with oats and almonds, add
apple juice, and mix well.

Place mixture evenly over peaches and blueberries, and bake uncovered for about 45 minutes. Serve
warm or cool.

serves 4

Tips for preparing blueberries

If you know the source of either wild or organic berries try not to wash them at all. Fresh berries are very fragile and should be washed briefly and carefully and then gently patted dry if they are not organic. Wash berries just prior to use to not prematurely remove the protective bloom that resides on the skin's surface.

When using frozen berries in recipes that do not require cooking, thaw well and drain prior to using.

Healthiest Way of Preparing Blueberries

Blueberries retain their maximum amount of nutrients and their maximum taste when they are enjoyed fresh and not prepared in a cooked recipe. That is because their nutrients - - including vitamins, antioxidants, and enzymes - undergo damage when exposed to temperatures used in baking.

A few quick serving ideas

Add frozen blueberries to your breakfast shake. If the blender container is plastic, allow berries a few
minutes to soften, so they will not damage the blender.

Fresh or dried blueberries add a colorful punch to cold breakfast cereals.

For a deliciously elegant dessert, layer yogurt and blueberries in wine glasses and top with crystallized
ginger.

Polka-dotted Pink Pancakes

from a CSA member

For an unusual twist on a breakfast favorite. The kids will never know they are eating a vegetable.

To your favorite pancake recipe:

1. Add 1 peeled and grated red beet into the batter.
2. Add blueberries for the dots.

Enjoy with your favorite syrup.