Every year I go pick berries. Raspberries, blackberries and blueberries. It’s something I have done since I was a child so I don’t mind the thorns, bees and heat. As for the unsavory side of picking: ticks, chiggers and snakes; well, you need a plan. Protective clothing not only protects you against the lurking critters, but it protects your skin from the thorns and sun. A solid clean-up routine for you and your clothing are also vital to you having a successful season.
When I make a berry cobbler there are always a few leftovers. Along with the juice that I drain off during the thawing process, I have probably a healthy 2-3 cups of food to work with for this recipe. If you like smoothies, you can throw all of the leftovers together and put it into your smoothies (either frozen or refrigerated) or add it to some plain yogurt with a little bit of honey and maybe some granola for two super-simple and fast meals.
In lieu of those ideas, I give you “Fresh Berry Sauce” that you can make as a third option. All you have to do is reduce the leftover juice along with some additional spices and add the leftover berries from the cobbler to make a simple fresh berry topping for ice cream, toast, pancakes, and waffles. It takes less than 10 minutes to make this wonderful fruit topping.
The recipe measurements are not exact. You just need to follow the directions and eye-ball it. It’s a good recipe to let your kids help you cook because they will learn to watch and smell the changes in the topping as it cooks. It only requires a bit of stirring. I’ve used raspberries from the patch in my yard, blueberries from our family home in Wilkes County and wild blackberries that I picked from several of my favorite locations around Raleigh.
Fresh Berry Sauce
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of leftover juice from draining the berries.
- 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon or 1/2 stick
- 1 cup leftover berry cobbler
- 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice
Preparation:
- In a pot combine the juice, spices and sugar.
- Reduce to 1/2 over medium heat.
- Add the leftover berry cobbler and lemon juice
- Heat all the way through and serve warm on ice cream, pancakes or waffles.
