Florida blueberries are back in season and the Farmer Joe’s produce department has plenty. Your Cape Coral fresh market is constantly getting locally sourced produce and blueberry season is one of our favorites. Let’s take a look at a few of the things you can make with them, courtesy of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Smoked Pork Chops with Florida Blueberry Compote
The delicious main course is easy to make and gives the pork chops a burst of flavor that isn’t expected.
Ingredients:
8 ounces blueberries
4 smoked pork chops (ready-to-eat)
1/2 sweet onion, sliced thin
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons vegetable or olive oil
1/2 lemon, juiced
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary chopped fine.
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon butter
Preparation:
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of oil. Sear pork chops on both sides until golden brown and heated through. Remove from pan and set aside.
In the same pan add remaining oil and 1 tablespoon of butter. Add in onions and saute for about 5 to 6 minutes or until slightly caramelized. Next add in blueberries, lemon juice, vinegar, rosemary, a pinch of salt and pepper. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer to thicken the compote, approximately 10 minutes. Stir frequently.
Remove from heat and serve over pork chops or on the side.
Fresh tip: if you find you need to add liquid to blueberry and onion compote you can use water, vegetable broth or chicken broth.
Blueberry Breakfast Casserole
Here’s a hearty breakfast idea that will set your breakfast apart from the usual. This makes 8 servings.
Ingredients:
2 cups blueberries
1 loaf of white bread
4 ounces cream cheese
8 large eggs, beaten
1 1/2 cups milk
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/2 stick butter, melted
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut bread into 1-inch cubes. Cut cream cheese into small cubes. Lightly grease a 9-inch square baking dish. Place half of the bread cubes in the dish. Evenly place the cream cheese cubes and 1 cup of the blueberries over the bread. Add the remaining bread cubes and blueberries to the top of the casserole.
In a medium-sized bowl, combine eggs, milk, maple syrup and butter. Slowly pour the egg mixture over the bread. Cover the casserole with foil and bake for approximately 45 minutes.
Remove from oven and insert a toothpick in the center of the casserole. When it comes out clean, remove the foil. Bake for approximately 10 more minutes or until the top appears golden brown. Let cool slightly and serve warm with extra maple syrup on the side.
Blueberry Biscuit Cookies
How about a tasty dessert using your Florida blueberries?
Ingredients:
1 cup fresh market blueberries
1 cup pecans, chopped
1/2 cup honey, divided
2 tablespoons low-fat milk
2 cups biscuit mix
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, combine biscuit mix, blueberries, pecans and milk. Mix well and add enough of the honey to make the mixture stiff like cookie dough.
Place dough by tablespoonful onto a greased baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake until the edges begin to brown, about 15 minutes. Remove from oven and drizzle the remaining honey on each cookie. Bake an additional 5 minutes and serve immediately.
There are a lot more things you can make with these blueberries from our fresh market. Or you can just eat them from the container. There’s just no wrong way. Visit our produce department and pick some up today!