Berry Good Ways to Celebrate Summer

[#1]

One of my favorite parts of summer is the bounty of berries the season brings. Fresh blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries­–they’re not only delicious, they’re sweet sources of vitamin C, fiber and antioxidants, too. And all that nutrition packs only about 50 to 85 calories per cup, depending on the variety.

One of my signature red, white and blue ways to celebrate the 4^th of July is to spoon raspberries and blueberries over low-fat vanilla frozen yogurt–yum! The rest of the season, I use berries in all sorts of ways. Here are some of my favorites:

• Marinate strawberries in balsamic vinegar sprinkled with brown sugar and vanilla.
• Bake berries into whole-grain muffins and quick breads.
• Mix blueberries into whole-wheat pancake batter.
• Alternately layer blueberries and strawberries with yogurt and granola to make a parfait.
• Spoon berries over angel food cake and top with a squirt of light whipped cream.
• Gently toss sliced strawberries, baby spinach, toasted pecans and red onion with light balsamic dressing. Add a sprinkle of blue cheese if desired.
• Mash together strawberries and raspberries, and then add a dash of lemon juice and a sprinkle of sugar. Pour into freeze-pop molds and freeze for a cool treat.
• Lightly dip strawberries into melted chocolate. Place on waxed paper until cool.
• And my absolute favorite way: I pop them into my mouth plain!

Do you have any ideas to share?

[#2]

Does  anybody know how to make the summer fruit dip that you see all over? I think it is made with either cream cheese or whipped cream with powdered sugar. I just love it and have never been able to find the recipe for it. I do know it is a simple one but when I try to make it , it never comes out right! I would appreciate any help that any body can offer. Have a great rest of the summer! I hope we have more hot summer weather that we had a month or so ago. I am a hot weather nut and would prefer hot weather all year round!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[#3]

Thanks for the inquiry, Debbir0622! We have a great database of recipes that can be found on our website at http://www.safeway.com/IFL/Grocery/Recipe-Search. Just use the search function and browse the results for the perfect fruit dip recipe!