Blueberry Curd (Addicted to Dates) takes the lemon curd more local (and more purple!) Bursting with flavour (due to lemon and vanilla, it kind of tastes like blueberry pie) spread it on toast or use in cakes and desserts. You could alternatively turn leftover berries into blueberry compote (not as spreadable or sweet as jam, so dollop on pancakes or desserts – all you need is sugar, vanilla and cornstarch).
Blueberries are choking hazards for babies and swallowing difficulties. Avoid for kidney disorders (due to oxalic acid) and genetic disorder glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (also avoid after recent surgery, as fruits may affect blood sugar). Keep these recipes away from pets due to fruit pips/seeds. Read more on keeping people & pets safe in the kitchen.
Blueberries are nature’s little powerhouses, rich in antioxidants. Low in calories but high in vitamin C, these contain the naturally blue phytochemical anthocyanin. Popular in North America, they also grow in England. Blueberries are particularly associated with helping to lower blood pressure and reduce aged-related memory loss.
how to buy, store & prepare blueberries
Only wash blueberries just before you eat them, as the silvery ‘bloom’ is what protects the fruits. Until them, store in the fridge where they will keep for a few days. They are in season from late June to early September.
Pack’d organic blueberries are certified by Soil Association and you can recycle the packaging with paper. Produced locally, you can freeze them on purchase to defrost for snacking or recipes.
spinach & blueberry breakfast smoothie
Spinach & blueberry breakfast smoothie (Short Girl, Tall Order) sweetens up spinach with naturally sweet berries, with protein from hemp seeds. You can buy a good blender with a glass jug for around £50 from Russell Hobbs (also use it to make soups and sauces, and it’s easy to clean too).
homemade (vegan) blueberry ice cream
Vegan blueberry ice cream (Crowded Kitchen) features a coconut milk base (Biona is a good organic brand in tins), and is flavoured with zesty lemon and sweetened with agave nectar. If you make a lot of ice-cream, it’s worth investing in a simple ice-cream machine. Just add your ingredients to a chilled bowl, turn it on and voilà – homemade dessert in 20 minutes.
homemade (vegan) blueberry pie recipe
Vegan Blueberry Cream Pie (Ela Vegan) is a rich and creamy dessert made with a nut-based oat crust and filled with tofu-creamy filling, and topped with blueberry compote. Look in stores for Tofoo (made in Yorkshire!)
a simple blueberry smoothie recipe
This blueberry smoothie (Love & Lemons) whizzes up in seconds, using frozen blueberries and raspberries along with frozen banana and cauliflower (to thicken), with plant milk, almond butter (for protein and fat) and maple syrup (and optional ginger for a kick).
simple blueberry cake recipes
Blueberry lemon cake (Rainbow Nourishments) only needs a few ingredients, and no egg-replacers are needed. Raid your pantry for everyday items to create and bake this simple cake. It’s designed not to be too sweet, requires no frosting and is even created to ensure that the blueberries don’t sink to the bottom. Also try Anthea’s recipe for blueberry muffins.
This blueberry cake (Namely Marley) only has a few simple ingredients, and is easy to make. Add frozen blueberries to the batter to prevent them from sinking to the bottom, when baking.
homemade blueberry margarita recipe
Blueberry margarita (Crowded Kitchen) combines blueberry juice with fresh mint and lime. Tequila usually doesn’t usually have a ‘worm in the bottle’ but its cousin mezcal may, so use the former.
