Wild blueberries always make the list of the top 10 foods, usually landing in first or second place...and Cornell University found wild blueberries topped the list for anti-oxidant activity in ALL foods.Why wild? They contain a much higher level of anti-oxidants than the cultivated variety, not to mention that they also taste sweeter and hold up better if you cook them. Another plus for wild blueberries - at only 80 calories per cup you can snack on them all day long! Aim for a cup a day to receive the benefits..
Notice I keep saying WILD ...the best place to find wild blueberries, especially in the winter since these gems are not in season, is in the frozen food section. Just thaw and eat or cook with like fresh blueberries. Most grocers carry them when in season...you can tell wild blueberries by their size, they are much smaller than the cultivated ones.
My favorite new way to serve blueberries to my family is wild blueberry sauce - super easy and delicious! Serve over whole-wheat waffles, pancakes or toast for a satisfying and healthy breakfast. My 8 year old can't get enough of it!
Wild Blueberry Sauce
2 cups frozen wild blueberries, thawed
1/4 cup sugar (I have substitued splenda and it works great)
1 TBS fresh lemon juice
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp almond extract (optional)
Combine the blueberries, sugar and lemon juice in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook until berries pop (few minutes). Stir in cinnamon (a little almond extract tastes great too). Spoon blueberry sauce over your favorite whole wheat breakfast item! (And, for a special dessert, this is terrific over ice cream as well!)
Enjoy your wild blueberries - as valuable as sapphires!
1 comment:
yum!! great idea! i grew up on blueberry syrup on pancakes, but homemade one looks better. :)
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