BLUEBERRIES Archives - Pure Grace Farms

BLUEBERRY BALSAMIC GLAZED CHICKEN

Have you ever had one of those days when nothing goes right? I’m not talking about a minor issue here or there. I’m speaking of a full blown “this is so comical, there must be a camera somewhere” kinda day. That about sums up what the last 24 hours have been like.

All week I have been preparing to go on vacation and have been working diligently to get all my ducks in a row before I head out. Yesterday started out fairly normal. I was up early, had my cup of coffee and was ready to wrap up my posts for the rest of the week and give myself a nice little pat on the back for a job well done. That smug sentiment didn’t last long enough for me to finish my second cup of coffee.

Rain, thunder, lightning storm…boom! Out goes the internet and phone. No service of any kind for the rest of the day. This is when living in the tulies is not advantageous. I whined to the walls (hubby wasn’t yet home), stomped around the house, and sulked. I eventually gave in to defeat and let it go. Some things are beyond our control. Life doesn’t revolve around whether I can get on the internet or not and a post can be late or postponed. It is not the end of the world. Ultimately a good lesson for me to digest. On the plus side, my house has never been cleaner!

Sweet blueberries, maple syrup and caramelized onions combine with balsamic vinegar, fresh rosemary and oregano to create a rich savory sauce for this delectable chicken dish. A flavorful combination that may just leave you licking your fingers as well as your plate.

5.0 from 5 reviews

Blueberry Balsamic Glazed Chicken

Ingredients

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
1 teaspoon salt
1 small white onion thinly sliced
2 cups Blueberries, rinsed and stems removed
½ cup balsamic vinegar
⅓ cup real maple syrup
1 tbsp chopped rosemary
1 tbsp oregano

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F.
Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and butter in a large, heavy, skillet.
Season chicken with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper.
Add chicken to the pan after butter has melted and is hot and bubbly.
Sear chicken breasts over medium-high heat until lightly browned.
Remove from the pan and place in a baking dish, set aside.
Add remaining olive oil and butter to the skillet,
Add onions and cook until soft and lightly caramelized, 3- 4 minutes.
Add blueberries and cook 1 minute.
Stir in vinegar, maple syrup, rosemary, oregano and remaining salt and pepper.
Simmer about 10 minutes, until blueberries have softened.
Pour the blueberry balsamic mixture over chicken and put baking dish in the oven for about 20 minutes.
Chicken should no longer be pink in the middle and reach an internal temp of 165 degrees F

Driscoll’s: Blueberry-Balsamic Glazed Rosemary Chicken

Blueberry Glazed Balsamic Chicken shared with:

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PRESERVE THE HARVEST SERIES AND BLUEBERRY MARMALADE

Preserve the Harvest Series presents a new fruit or vegetable every Tuesday with the goal of helping you get the most out of fresh fruits and vegetables harvested during peak season. Whether you grow your own fruits and vegetables, buy them at the Farmer’s Market or your local grocery store, it is good to remember the best time to preserve your bounty is when it is plentiful. Preserving the harvest stocks your pantry shelves and freezer with whole foods that you can feel good about, foods that taste great, and this approach saves you money. A sane approach to sustainability! Next up…Blueberries and Blueberry Marmalade.

LET’S TALK BLUEBERRIES

Growing Blueberries at Home

Blueberries are one of the easiest fruits to grow organically, but proper preparation and patience are necessary to reap the full benefits. To grow properly blueberries require soil that is acidic, proper care for a shallow root system and plenty of water when fruiting. Blueberry plants take about 3 years before they begin to produce any sizeable amount of berries. Once fully mature you can expect about 8 quarts of berries per bush.

Read more about growing and caring for blueberries at About Home: How to Grow Blueberries in the Home Garden.

Purchasing Blueberries

Blueberries ripen somewhere between mid July to mid August making this the best time to purchase blueberries if you are not fortunate enough to grow your own. When purchasing blueberries, look for berries that look fresh, plump and unblemished. A refrigerated display case is the best place to look. After purchasing, blueberries should be refrigerated as well for maximum longevity. When handled properly fresh blueberries should last for 10 – 14 days. Wash berries prior to eating.

Freezing Blueberries

Blueberries may be frozen with great results. To freeze, rinse berries lightly and place on paper towel to soak up extra moisture. Arrange blueberries on a baking sheet in single layer and place in the freezer until frozen solid. Once frozen, remove berries and place in heavy duty freezer bag or use vacuum sealer. Frozen berries can be stored up to a year.

Preserve the Harvest: Blueberry Marmalade #recipe #wholefood #canning

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BLUEBERRY MARMALADE

Blueberries and citrus combine to make this unusual marmalade. I enjoy the extra bit of sweetness the blueberries add, giving a great tasting twist on a perennial favorite. This recipe was developed quite by accident while reading directions for two different recipes and then getting mixed up about which one I was actually making. I decided I couldn’t let all those lovely oranges and blueberries go to waste, so I threw the book out the window and went on a wing and a prayer. I love how this recipe came together. I hope you will too!

The following recipe is processed using a water bath canning process. If you have never canned before or need a refresher the National Center for Home Food Preservation is the gold standard of information. I would encourage you to head over and read their general canning information.

5.0 from 1 reviews

Blueberry Marmalade

Recipe will make approximately 6 pints.

Ingredients

4 oranges
2 lemons, very thinly sliced
4 cups water
6 cups blueberries
6 cups sugar

Instructions

Remove thin outer rind from oranges with vegetable peeler or paring knife and cut into fine strips.
Place rind, thinly slice lemons, and water in a large non-reactive pan.
Bring to a boil over high heat, cover, reduce heat and gently boil for 25 minutes.
Meanwhile, remove remaining white pith from the oranges, cut in half (being careful to save juice from the oranges) and place all in a food processor.Process until finely chopped.
Add chopped pulp and blueberries to orange mixture and return to a boil.
Boil gently for 15 minutes.
Remove from heat, add sugar and bring to a rapid boil.
With mixture uncovered, continue to boil, stirring occasionally, until mixture begins to gel.( about 35 minutes depending on moisture content of the berries) *see link below for how to tell when mixture will form a gel.
Once thickened, remove from heat.
Ladle into hot jars and process for 15 minutes.