Tasty berries (blackberries, blueberries, strawberries)

[Songwriter]

How do you make blackberries taste good? I don't care for them, in general, but I figure I just need to try harder. They grow wild here and I can pick them.

When I was young, my mother would sprinkle sugar over blackberries or strawberries. I don't recall what else.

Any tips on how to eat them other than just chomping them down?

Same thing for blueberries, any ideas? A local man grows them.

Do you do anything special to eat your strawberries. (Same problem, my mom taught me to eat them all sugared up.)

[LisaS]

if they are perfectly ripe and fresh and sweet - I eat them plain or with a little cream or in yogurt. If they are not perfectly ripe - a little splenda helps - or freeze them and then toss in a shake later.

Strawberries are also traditionally paired with a little balsamic vinegar (sounds odd, but tastes good). Berries can also go in savory dishes as part of a sauce or even in green salads - I like them contrasted with feta or goat cheese or bleu cheese in the salad with an oil & vinegar dressing.

[Anniesnan]

I love blackberries and strawberries plain - won't touch blueberries no matter what:razz:

For a change of pace, or, if the berries aren't perfect, I've been putting them with a small amount of ricotta cheese and a little splenda.

I used to make dh a "dessert" with ricotta cheese and an egg, you cook it through, and then add some blueberries with splenda to it, but I don't like cooked ricotta.

You could put them in a little cottage cheese, too.

Like Lisa, I also enjoy strawberries, sliced up, in a salad, with some walnuts or almonds. I don't like the feta/goat/blue cheeses, but I'll add in some sharp cheddar and use a lc ranch.

[Relief]

I prefer my berries " sugared up" too. I blame my mama as well. I have tried to get used to the "natural sweetness" that everyone talks about for about 8 years now--I still need them a bit sweeter so, Now I just use splenda. I use only the liquid from sweetzfree.com . Easiest is with some Plain yogurt--several drops of the sweetener; a splash of vanilla--yum. works for any of the berries. smae deal only with some heavy cream--I don't bother to whip it, just our it on and add the sweetener.

I sweeten the berries --for a shortcake for example--by splashing a little water plus the liquid sweetener on them and putting them in the micro for a brief moment maybe 15 secs and then letting them sit a bit. Same effect as sugaring the berries and then letting them sit.

[back2me2007]

I love them plain but they are good in cottage cheese or mixed in a bowl of freshly whipped cream. They are also excellent in LC cheesecake.
Do you like smoothies? I use all berries interchangably in recipes. My favorite smoothy is:
2 oz cream cheese
fresh berries
scoop whey powder (vanilla)
a dash of lemon juice
ice and water.

It tastes like berry cheese cake in a cup.

[LisaS]

sometimes a pinch of salt also brings out the sweetness in fruits

[kevinpa]

You could always freeze them and make

quick simple berry ice cream:
1 cup mix frozen berries
1/4 cup sugarfree blackberry syrup
1/8 cup half/half or heavy cream
blend in blender or food processor.
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[Gaelen]

I also like a splash of balsamic vinegar or a splash of framboise (berry) or cointreau (orange) liqueur on berries, if you absolutely don't want them plain. Literally just a splash...maybe a teaspoon on a full cup of berries, if that.

[Moongirl]

I haven't been online for a bit, these recipes sure do look good.
Maybe tonights will sound good to you
sugarfree pudding mix made with water plus cream instead of milk
layered with berries and then cream sweetened with splenda
I made it in a trifle dish the kids thought it looked great
Katherine