Blueberry Cheese Spread

Ingredients
½ cup dried SVO blueberries
1 cup boiling water
1 8oz pkg. cream cheese, softened
6oz blue cheese, coarsely crumbled
2 green onions, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
½ cup coarsely chopped pecans
Assorted whole grain crackers or cracker bread, broken

1. Place dried berries in a small bowl. Pour boiling water over berries. Let Stand 1 minutes. Drain; set aside.

2. In a large mixing bowl beat cream cheese and blue cheese with an electric mixer on medium speed until nearly smooth. Stir in drained blueberries, green onions, and garlic just until combined. Transfer spread to a serving bowl. Cover and refrigerate up to 4 hours before serving. To serve, sprinkle with pecans and serve with crackers.

Blueberries Promote A Healthy Living Choice

 Medical costs can play a big role in some people’s lives. Wouldn’t it be great to prevent or slowly decline an illness without having that expensive bill attached to it?  Everyday blueberries are being researched for multiple health benefits.  Research shows that blueberry phytonutrients (chemical compounds that occur naturally in plants) can have a big impact in the brain.  Blueberries could be the safer and less expensive approach to treating and maybe even preventing neurodegenerative disorders and dementia. Brunswick Laboratories  says, “According to recent studies, organically grown blueberries appear to yield significantly more phytonutrients and demonstrate greater antioxidant activity than blueberries grown conventionally”

Here is some Interesting Fact You Want to Know about Blueberries:

1. Blueberry phytonutrients exert their health-promoting effects via complex biochemical mechanisms that counteract oxidative stress, decrease inflammation, and modulate genes associated with a myriad of disease processes.
2. Blueberry is best studied as an agent of neurological support. Research suggests that blueberry phytonutrients attenuate age-related declines in cognitive and motor function, augment brain plasticity, limit brain damage after ischemic stroke, and may one day play a role in the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson’s disease and dementia.
3. Blueberry phytonutrients may also safeguard cardiovascular health by decreasing total serum cholesterol and fighting high blood pressure.
4. Fermented blueberry extracts can function as insulin potentiators. Diabetics taking a commercial preparation of blueberry and other extracts significantly lowered their fasting plasma glucose levels.
5. Blueberry leaves contain polyphenols that demonstrate alpha-amylase inhibitor activity and may represent an encouraging adjunctive treatment for type 2 diabetes.
6. The juice of blueberries, as well as a number of other berry fruits, significantly inhibits in vitro proliferation of prostate, breast, intestinal, and gastric cancer. Pterostilbene, a phenolic compound found in blueberries, shows promise against colon cancer in animal and laboratory models.
7. Low molecular-weight phenols found in blueberries boost colon health by altering bacterial metabolism. 8. Blueberry consumption was shown to improve several parameters of disease activity in a model of colitis.Merging research also indicates that blueberry phytonutrients may help combat liver inflammation, vascular disease, and osteoporosis.

All the following in formation can be found at :  http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2009/feb2009_Blueberries_01.htm

Blueberry Cheese Cake Bites

Bottom Layer:
4 oz cream cheese at room temperature
1 egg at room temperature
3 tablespoons butter (1 stick) melted but at room temperature
1 box (18.25oz) French Vanilla cake mix

Filling:
1 (8oz) packages cream cheese at room temperature
3 eggs at room temperature
1 ½ cups powder sugar
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 pound SVO  Fresh/Frozen Blueberries
* Preheat oven to 350*F. Line mini-muffin pans with paper.

For Bottom:
Cream 4oz of cream cheese, 1 egg and butter tighter on low speed about 1 minutes or until combined. Blend in cake mix by hand until combined. It will be thick but pliable. Press 1 tsp. mix into bottom of each mini-muffin paper.

For the Topping:
Place cream cheese, 3 eggs, powdered sugar and vanilla in a small bowl. Begin mixing on low speed until sugar is incorporates. Increase to medium speed and beat until smooth, at least 3 minutes or longer if needed. Drop about ½ tablespoon of mix into each muffin cup over vanilla base. Press 2 to 3 SVO blueberries into the filling in each muffin. Bake at 350*F  for 15-17 minutes. Cool completely before serving. Makes about 6-7 dozen mini-cheesecakes.

Dried Blueberry Advantages

Dried Blueberry Advantages

Most people know fruits and vegetables are important to keep a healthy diet. Blueberries are one of the most nutritionally valuable fruits. Sometimes fresh blueberries can be difficult to travel with. Choosing dried blueberries may be a better choice and more convenient when traveling.

Dried blueberries are just as nutritious as fresh blueberries. Our farm independent testing’s show that our blueberries have more than double the Vitamin A and E, than other blueberries, with more essential minerals.  Of course the growing processes always make a difference, that’s why we grow our blueberries Organically and Biologically to make a “Healthy Living Choice”.

One of the benefits to dried blueberries is their shelf life. Sunset Valley Organic dried blueberries when stored in the freezer has an extended shelf life in an airtight container. There are many creative uses for dried blueberries from trail mixes to salads and even breakfast foods. Keep an eye on our recipes to find more creative ways to use SVO Dried Blueberries.

Do you know what your having for Thanksgiving derssert?

Blueberry Dumplings
Ingredients
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon sugar, plus 1 1/2 cups
1 teaspoon baking powder
Pinch salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
1/4 cup milk
1 quart fresh or frozen blueberries
2 cups water
Vanilla ice cream or fresh cream, for serving

Stir flour, 1 tablespoon sugar, baking powder, and salt together into a medium bowl. Cut butter into dry ingredients, using a pastry cutter or fork. Add milk to form dough. Set dumpling dough aside. In a large saucepan, combine berries, 1 1/2 cups sugar, and water and bring to a boil. Drop dumplings into hot boiling berries by the tablespoonful. Cover pot, reduce heat to low, and cook slowly for 20 to 30 minutes. Do not remove the lid before 20 minutes has passed, and do not stir dumplings. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or fresh cream.

Soft Honey Nougat
Ingredients
1 ½ cups hazelnuts
1 ½ cup SVO dried cranberries/ or blueberries
butter
cornstarch
1 ½ cup sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2/3 cup light-color corn syrup
½ cup honey
2 white eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla

1.  Spread hazelnuts in a single layer in a shallow baking pan. Bake in a 350*F oven for 10 minutes or until golden brown, watching carefully and stirring once or twice so nuts don’t burn. Cool slightly. Place nuts on a clean kitchen towel, fold over towel to cover nuts. Rub vigorously to remove the skins. Coarsely shop hazelnuts. In a medium bowl combine chopped hazelnuts and SVO dried cranberries/blueberries.
2. Line a 9x5x3inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray or heavy foil, extending foil over edges of pan. Butter the foil; sprinkle with small amount of cornstarch. Set pan aside.
3. In a 2-quart saucepan combine the sugar and 1 tablespoon cornstarch. Add corn syrup, water, and honey; mix well. Bring to boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon to dissolve sugar, 5 to 7 minutes. Avoid splashing mixture on side of pan. Reduce heat to medium. Carefully clip candy thermometer to saucepan.
4. Continue boiling stirring occasionally, until thermometer registers 286*F, soft-crack stage. Mixture should boil at a moderate, steady rate over entire surface, about 25 minutes. Watch closely at the end as temperature will rise quickly. (adjust heat as necessary to maintain a steady boil.)
5. Remove saucepan from heat; remove candy thermometer from saucepan. In a large mixing bowl, immediately beat egg whites with a sturdy, freestanding electric mixer on medium speed until stiff peaks form. Gradually pour hot mixture in a thin stream over egg whites, beating constantly on a high speed and scraping sides of bowl occasionally, about 3 minutes. Scrape side of bowl again. Add vanilla. Continue beating on high speed for 3 to 4 minutes or until candy begins to lose its gloss. When beaters are lifted, mixture should fall in a ribbon, mounding on itself then slowly disappear in remaining mixture. The final beating should take 5 to 6 minutes.
6. Immediately stir 2 cups of the fruit and nuts into candy. Quickly turn candy into prepared pan; spread to corners. Sprinkle top with remaining 1 cup fruit and nuts. Lightly press fruit and nuts into warm mixture. While still warm, score into pieces. Let stand about 3 hours or until completely cool. When cool, use foil to lift candy from pan. Cut into pieces, using a hot knife. Wrap in plastic wrap. Store in refrigerator up to 1 week for freeze for up to 4 months, to serve, unwrap and place in waxed candy cups or bonbon cups. Makes 35 pieces.

Blueberry Health Tips

Blueberries are ranked the number one fruit in the world for antioxidants. Blueberries have many different ways to aid every day functions. There are tons of ways blueberries can help you improve.

1.    Blueberries provide antioxidants, vitamins A,C,E, and B. they also contain lots of minerals that can help boot your immune system and help prevent/fight infections.

2.    Lowering the risk of heart disease is another great advantage of eating blueberries.

3.    Blueberries help reduce belly fat. Blueberries are low in calories and has an excellent source of fiber.

4.    Blueberries has a compound in them called pterostilbene. Ptersotilbene helps treat colon and liver cancers.

5.    Helps you Think. The nutrients from blueberries help improve your brain function like learning, and memory. These blueberries are protecting your brain from stress, and other disorders.

6.    Since blueberries are full of vitamins and antioxidants it helps slowing the breakdown of your bones.

7.    There are many other health benefits to blueberries. 

Check out this website for more health facts on blueberries. http://www.womenfitness.net/blueberries.htm

Stay healthy. Keep your body in shape and up to date. Eat Sunset Valley Organics  Blueberries!

Start Thinking Thanksgiving

Turkey with Blueberry Pan Sauce
Ingredients

1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon salt, divided
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 pound turkey tenderloin, (see Ingredient note)
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup chopped shallots
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
2 cups blueberries
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1. Preheat oven to 450°F. Whisk flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper in a shallow dish. Dredge turkey in the mixture. (Discard any leftover flour.)
2. Heat oil in a large ovenproof skillet over high heat. Add the turkey; cook until golden brown on one side, 3 to 5 minutes. Turn the turkey over and transfer the pan to the oven. Roast until the turkey is just cooked through and no longer pink in the middle, 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer the turkey to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm.
3. Place the skillet over medium heat. (Take care, the handle will still be very hot.) Add shallots and thyme and cook, stirring constantly, until the shallots begin to brown, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Add blueberries, vinegar and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt; continue cooking, stirring occasionally and scraping up any brown bits, until the blueberries burst and release their juices and the mixture becomes thick and syrupy, 4 to 5 minutes. Slice the turkey and serve with the blueberry pan sauce.
 

http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/turkey_with_blueberry_pan_sauce.htmly Pan Sauce