Blueberries - The Perfect Super Food

When it comes to super foods, blueberries are at the top of the list! These little berries are not only bursting with flavor, but they are also high in antioxidants, an important ingredient in helping to fight free-radicals, which can damage cellular structure and DNA.

Blueberry picking is an annual tradition in my house. The kids have been out in the fields picking blueberries, mulberries, strawberries and herbs since they were just tots. Lucky for me, they're now big enough to really help bring in a bountiful harvest.

Blueberries are absolutely delicious just as they are. We eat them plain, sometimes with a little cream and we even like them frozen.

To freeze blueberries, just rinse, remove stems and place in a single layer on a sheet pan (make sure the pan has sides or you'll have blueberries rolling all over the place!) Place the pan in the freezer for about an hour, then put the berries in zip top freezer bags.

We use these frozen berries all year for everything from blueberry muffins to smoothies. We even eat them straight out of the freezer. My kids think that a small bowl of frozen blueberries is just like ice cream. Yep, they're that good!

Here's a great way to enjoy the healthy benefits of blueberries.

1-1/4 c flour

1 Tbsp baking powder

1 Tbsp sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1 egg

1 c milk

1 Tbsp butter, melted

1 c blueberries, fresh or frozen (if frozen, thaw before using)

1. Sift the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt together into a large bowl. Beat the egg and milk in a small bowl. Stir milk and egg mixture into the flour mixture. Add the melted butter and stir to combine. Fold in the blueberries, gently. Let batter sit for one hour.
2. Lightly oil a heavy frying pan or griddle and heat over medium-high heat. Pour approximately 1/4 cup batter onto hot pan or griddle for each pancake. When the top is covered with small bubbles and the batter is just about set, carefully flip it over. Pancakes should be lightly browned on both sides. Serve hot.

Blueberries are great whether you eat them fresh, use them in baked goods, freeze them for smoothies or preserve them by drying them. Dried blueberries can be used in baked goods as well as eaten as a healthy snack.