The Blueberry Dilemma

I have to confess that blueberries are not my favorite fruit. I like them, but I don't long for them, as I do for other berries. And I've never liked them as the main attraction in pie or cobbler, preferring them as a compliment to other fruits instead. I adore them mixed with sliced strawberries in a big bowl and then served with  yogurt and  a sprinkling of granola for crunch... there's something about that combination of the sweet strawberries and the tangy yogurt that brings out the best in the blueberries.

So when I had a pint of CSA blue berries to use up last week (and lord, I got another pint on Saturday!) I was a bit torn about what to do with them. Strawberry season is over, so my beloved mix of berries was not an option. And blueberry jam or pie or cobbler was out because I just don't like all that concentrated blueberry flavor, and it was too hot to consider baking.

Thank heavens for Google. Honestly, I don't know anymore how I've ever managed  without it.  In my search for quick no-cook blueberry recipes I found one for a parfait that suggested using a microwave to heat the blueberries with a few tablespoons of preserves and then layering the cooled berry mixture with ice cream. This solved all of my problems as it meant I could introduce that strawberry flavor I like so much, and it meant I could keep my kitchen cool. We had no ice cream, so I used the cream, sour cream and sherry mixture in the Rhubarb Parfaits I posted about last month.

Success! The strawberry jam and the slightly tangy cream mixture worked perfectly with the blueberries.
But tell me, what do I do with the latest batch?

This goes out to Susan, of Food Blogga, who is hosting this month's Sugar High Friday, an event originally created by Jennifer of The Domestic Goddess. Susan would like to see what you can do with berries, so get going! Entries are due by August 3rd.

Blueberry Parfaits

1 pint fresh blueberries
1/4 cup strawberry-orange preserves
3/4 cup chilled heavy cream
3 tablespoons confectioners sugar
1/3 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon Sherry

In a small bowl, combine the blueberries and preserves. Cook on high in a microwave for about 3 to 4 minutes, stirring twice, until the blueberries are softened. Cover and refrigerate until ready to assemble.

Beat the heavy cream and confectioners sugar in a bowl with an electric mixer until it just holds stiff peaks. Add the sour cream and Sherry and beat until it returns to stiff-peak stage.

Layer the berries and whipped cream in each of 4 (6-ounce) glasses, as pictured. Chill until ready to serve.

Comments

[Peter]

These parfaits are pretty, and a nice departure from super-sweet desserts. I'd be glad to help you unload your extra blueberries.

[Patricia Scarpin]

Ann, this is a magnificent entry!
Not until very recently one could find blueberries here in Brazil and the minute I saw them in the grocery store I bought a box... :)
I like using them in baked goods, but they are by far my least favorite kind of berry.

[Ben]

Hmm, so pretty and yummy! Blueberries are my favorite berries, or maybe strawberries, it's so hard to pick just one. I must try this parfaits.

[Jack]

I'll tell you what to do with the latest batch. EXACTLY THE SAME THING! :-)

[brilynn]

I like eating frozen blueberries with maple syrup and yogurt!

[adele]

Freeze the blueberries and bake blueberry scones, to eat with strawberry jam. :)

[_ts of [eatingclub] vancouver]

Send them to me! =D

That's funny, I have the same response to raspberries (as you do to blueberies), and my sister to strawberries.

To each her own [berry]!

=)

[Inf]

Those look yummy -- as for what to do with the rest, I had a salad with blueberries, goat cheese, red onion and honey mustard dressing that was excellent. The creamy cheese really offset the blueberries quite nicely. They aren't my favorite either -- unless you're making pancakes!

[MyKitchenInHalfCups]

Favorite implies only one so I can't say they are my very favorite BUT if they're in front of me, I'll eat them like candy! Your cream and blueberries are wonderful.

[Sophie]

These parfaits looks delicious!

I just had an awesome spinach salad with blueberries, sliced strawberries, crumbled goat cheese, walnut, and avocado. Mmmm!

I have some blueberries left over and I might make the low-cal version of these parfaits with cool-whip :)

[Susan from Food Blogga]

This is a splendid entry, Ann-- delicious and ingenious. I'm with you, blueberries usually came after strawberries and raspberries in my house.

You know how they say distance makes the heart grow fonder? Well, New England (where I grew up) reigns supreme when it comes to blueberries, unlike CA. So now that I can't find plump, sweet blueberries very easily, it seems I'm craving them more and more! Thanks for your participation.

[Lydia (The Perfect Pantry)]

I feel the same way about blueberries -- like them, don't crave them. But they are so loaded with anti-oxidants that I'm really trying to eat them more often this summer. And they always look so good at the farmers' market.

[Johanna]

I feel a bit the same way about blueberries - I value them more for the deep blue-purple colour than for their flavour but I hav discovered I like them in a smoothie. Love your no-cook solution

[Sweet Tooth]

Hah! There I was, a mere minute ago, trying to find out what the next theme of SHF would be. Then I gave up, jumped on tastespotting and here we are. Thanks for submitting a picture great enough for me to click through to your blog. I did not come here for SHF, but now have two things - the info on how to make those parfaits and the next theme.

Thank you,

Alexandra

[Psychgrad]

I find that flavourful blueberries are hard to come by. But when that window of blueberry season opens, I'm in heaven. Great submission!

[michelle]

I'd take your box of blueberries off your hands! I'm not big on the concentrated flavors either...my favorite is just to add them, raw and whole, to cereal. You could try dehydrating them and adding them to your own homemade granola perhaps? (I just made a batch with dried blueberries last night and while it concentrates their sweetness it was perfect mixed with everything else. Your parfaits look scrumptious and I love the non-ice cream mix idea!

[Zenchef]

1/2 moist, plump vanilla bean
3/4 pound blueberries
1/4 cup water
1 tablespoon sugar
Grated zest of 1/4 lemon
Vanilla ice cream, homemade or good-quality store bought

Put the blueberries, water, sugar, vanilla pulp, and lemon zest in a saute pan over medium heat, stirring often but gently, until the berries start to release their juices. Pull the pan from the heat. Divide the berries among 4 bowls. Top with ice cream and serve immediately. Doesn't sound like much but it's incredible. Let me know what you think if you try it. :-)

[grace]

very nice contribution to shf. i personally could eat a pint of blueberries with no accompaniments, but i certainly wouldn't mind a hearty helping of this either. google is indeed a lifeline. :)

[giz]

What a beautiful submission - but you didn't have to make 2 for me - I would have been really okay with just one.

[Manggy]

Those look gorgeous! (and quite, uh, American! Hee hee-- just top with more blueberries.) If you ever come across more (unwanted! gasp!) blueberries, may I interest you in a Blueberry Cheesecake Millefeuille? :)

[Deborah]

Blueberries wouldn't be my favorite berry, either, although I do love them in things covered in sugar. This sounds like a great way to use them up!

[Tartelette]

What a great way to use all those blueberries! Love it! I have a few pounds in the freezer also thanks to MIL who goes blueberry picking a lot right now. I just can't use them fast enough!!

[katy]

i LOVE blueberries -- my problem is that it's hard to cook with them because i love eating them plain so much! but these sound phenomenal!

[Candice]

I can see why blueberries are not your favourite. I don't like the larger, cultivated berries but I love the smaller, wild kind. This recipe is a great idea to use up either kind, though.

[Alexa]

This looks like a lovely dessert. I love all berries but I have to say you dealt with this dilemma perfectly!