blueberries

Eating My Way Through the Alphabet; Letter B

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? All the Buzz: Blueberry-Almond Coffeecake! The battle begins. Will you choose to eat this incredible coffee cake first thing in the morning for breakfast or the last thing at night for dessert? The brown sugary crumbled topping seems like candy, but the fluffy moist cake filled with blueberries seems more like a last course to the meal. Whatever is one to do??? My choice? I’ll never tell. Enjoy!
BLUEBERRY-ALMOND COFFEECAKE 
Ingredients:

2 cups fresh blueberries 

2 tablespoons corn starch

3/4 cup sugar

1/3 cup butter, softened 

1 1/4 cup flour

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

2 teaspoons baking powder 

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 

1/4 cup milk

1/4 cup Greek yogurt

1 teaspoon almond extract

1 egg
CRUNCHY TOPPING

Ingredients:

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 tablespoons flour

2 tablespoons butter, softened 

1/4 cup almonds, chopped
Instructions:

Preheat oven to 375°. Grease and flour a 10″ round baking dish. In a bowl, gently toss blueberries and cornstarch to coat. Set aside. Cream together sugar and butter. Add flour, salt, baking powder, and cinnamon. While mixing gradually add milk, yogurt, almond extract, and egg. Blend well. Gently fold in blueberries. Pour batter into baking dish. To make topping, combine brown sugar and flour. Cut butter into topping until it resembles pea-size crumbs. Spread over cake batter. Sprinkle almonds over all. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out clean. Serve warm. 

Eating My Way Through the Alphabet; Letter V

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? The Daily Special: Very Berry Icy Sorbet! ‘Tis the season for an abundance of fresh fruit! This is the time to stock up on featured berries at the market. Pop them into freezer bags for easy storage. Later on, when looking for a refreshing dessert idea, combine the flavors of strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries! The presentation is elegant as well as delicious. Because I prefer the difference in shades of red, I prepare each berry recipe individually.  
VERY BERRY ICY SORBET
Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups frozen blackberries, slightly defrosted 

1 teaspoon frozen orange juice concentrate 

2 teaspoons water

1 teaspoon blackberry wine (optional)

Garnish: Whipped Cream
Instructions:

Using a food processor fitted with the metal blade, blend sorbet ingredients until smooth. Scrape sides as needed. Pour into a covered container and place in the freezer for at least 15 minutes. Using a melon ball scoop, form bite size balls of assorted fruit flavors. Top with more fresh fruit and a dollop of whipped cream. 

Eating My Way Through the Alphabet; Letter O

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Home Cooking: Old-Fashioned Blueberry Peach Galette! For a rustic dessert that is sure to please, this classic French pastry is a perfect blend of natural fruit sweetness complimented by a flaky butter crust. No need for a pie plate, it is oven baked on a sheet pan. *Note: Be sure to prep the pan as directed. Otherwise, you may need to replace it. 

OLD-FASHIONED BLUEBERRY PEACH GALETTE 
Ingredients:

1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon butter

1 cup flour

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

2-3 tablespoons ice water

3 cups peaches, sliced

1/2 cup blueberries 

2 tablespoons sugar

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon 

1 tablespoon apricot preserves, melted

1 tablespoon brown sugar

2 tablespoons almonds, sliced
Instructions:

Preheat oven to 425°. Cover a baking sheet with foil. Then line it with parchment paper. Make a 9-inch pie crust: cut butter into flour and salt until particles are the size of small peas. Sprinkle in water 1 tablespoon at a time, tossing with fork until all flour is moistened and pastry cleans the side of the bowl. Gather pastry into a ball; shape it into a flattened round on a lightly floured surface. Roll into a 9-inch crust and place on parchment paper. Combine sugar, blueberries, and sugar. Beginning in the center, arrange fruit into a fan, spiraling around the pie. Be sure to leave a border. Fold edges of dough toward the center, pressing gently to seal. The dough only partially covers the fruit. Brush the melted preserves over the fruit and along the edges of the dough. Bake 10 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 350° but do not remove the galette. Bake an additional 40 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove the galette from the baking sheet by lifting it with the parchment paper. It needs to cool on a wire rack to keep the bottom from getting soggy. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon brown sugar. Serve warm. 
* *Serving suggestion: Top with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream.