Stilll Blueberry Season

Biggest highlight at the market last week and finally made their way to the local supermarkets as well... blueberries...tiny little wild ones that pack quite the tangy punch and cultivated, big fat and juicy ones. I've already shared some of my favorite blueberry recipes with you, but I certainly haven't had my fill yet...as I write this, I'm enjoying some blueberries and goat yoghurt drizzled with some local honey....heaven in a bowl!

But what was I going to do with the last of this batch???? And, because I really do love to support local farmers when I can, I thought I'd check out Anita Stewart's Canada, which is one of my favorite books. Even if you don't live in this wonderful country, it's a stunning book.

I couldn't resist these stunning Butter Honey Blueberry Muffins which taste even better than they sound. Ingredients....local butter from Tatamagouche, Smeltzer's honey, and wild blueberries from one of the many stands at the Saturday farmer's market.

Just another reason I support Helmann's Eat Real Eat Local Campaign, Tomorrow is another visit to the market...for sure corn will make its way back here, some lovely new potatoes and ...hopefully, some tomatoes...not to mention all the usual wonderful treats. I'll keep you posted.

Wherever you live, there are some local, seasonal things to focus on...what's up in your neck of the woods?

At Least There's Blueberries

We've set a new record....hottest it's been in 39 years. Frankly, I'm not impressed. This is one record I could do without.

The good news...it's blueberry season BIG TIME here in Nova Scotia and I thought I'd share some of my all time favorite recipes with you.

My most favorite of all...Blueberry Minty Custard Tart

Blueberry Crisp

Minty Berries with Yoghurt

Quick Berry Sauce (great over anything...especially wonderful over ice cream)

Blueberry Mint Granita

Blueberry Pecan Bran Muffins (a perfect mid-morning snack)

And who says blueberries are just for dessert...check out this Blueberry Salsa...one of my favorite ways to serve grilled fish and steak.

or this awesome salad...Scallops on Mixed Greens & Blueberries

There are more, but this is a good start. Happy Blueberry Season, everyone.

Blueberries + Chocolate Chips = Delicious

Since my last bit of "poetry" was such a hit....

"Good, better, best

Never let it rest

Until the good is better

And the better...has chocolate"

I really do try to cook and bake nutritious dishes, using local ingredients when I can, and opting for healthy grains rather than all purpose flour. And a number of my new cookbooks seem to focus on making healthier versions of the good old fashioned ones I grew up on.

Norene's Healthy Kitchen is one such book that I turn to often. I love her very easy, quick and delicious dishes and since I just got back from a fantastic weekend in Toronto spent with some other food bloggers from across the country (more about that in another post), I didn't have much on hand, nor much time to prepare something to munch on at my 9a.m. meeting.

And I HAD to make something...after all, food feeds the brain, doesn't it? And breakfast is the most important meal of the day, isn't it? And, my associate has come to expect it (as is her husband who will definitely be waiting for a care package). Start to finish, these tasty treats took less than 20 minutes.

Naturally, because delicious, is never delicious enough, and I always have to add more to a recipe...I added chocolate chips to Norene's Blueberry Corn Muffins and made...

Blueberry Chocolate Chip Mini-Muffins

I remember the days when using whole wheat flour was for those strange tofu-eating hippie types in Birkenstocks (no offense to tofu, Birkenstocks or hippies). Not today though. The only "flour" in this batter is cornmeal and whole wheat flour and they are simply delicious.

Another huge change in our eating is being able to find excellent frozen fruit, grown locally and flash frozen so it's tasty all year round...and mine come from The Annapolis Valley, just an hour or so from my door. That said, I can't wait to pick fresh blueberries later in the summer. I'm already envisioning the purple stains on fingers, lips and ... right...note to self...wear something old.

What's your locally grown favorite fruit? And how long are you going to have to wait for the real deal?