Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Fresh Blueberry Curd

-plus a dessert recipe!



It's officially Spring here in Kentucky! The air is warming up, gardening supplies are being stocked on the shelves at the big box store again, and blueberries are back in grocery stores. I love the start of Spring. There's just something magical about breaking out of that long rut of winter weather and gray skies into the first warm day that merely hints at what's to come. It really feels like everything is coming back to life. My heart leaps with joy, and I want nothing more than to be outside with my hands in the dirt. Of course, we haven't had our last frost yet so I can't plant anything just yet. 

Actually, I take that back. I was gathering and cleaning my gardening tools this weekend when I happened on a lone bag of tulip bulbs that I'd forgotten to plant. As I looked closer at the bag, I realized that some of the bulbs were sprouting. Amazing, I thought, since they spent all winter in a bag in my cold, dark garage with no food. Anyhoo, I know you are supposed to plant them in the fall, but I went ahead and dumped them all in one of my humongous pots. If they grow, yippee! If they don't, well, I guess I better plant my tulips properly next year. In the fall. Like everyone else.


Coming off that Spring tangent, lets talk about Blueberry Curd. Like lemon curd, but with those sweet/tart little berries that everyone loves-


Blueberries are the epitome of Spring. I'm just sayin'!


Fruit curd is not hard to make. In fact, it's an easy cooking skill to master. Yet somehow impressive. To me, it reminds me of pudding, but made with fruit. The gist of making curd is really just simmering your berries until they are super-soft, straining out the seeds and skins, and then stirring in some eggs and butter. Besides allowing the curd to chill for a couple of hours, that's really all there is to the process. Super. duper. simple.

Curd is perfect for using in baked goods, like danishes, tarts, or filling cupcakes. It also happens to make the perfect accessory to biscuits or toast.

Or perhaps parfait-style?


Ooh la la!

This dessert is effortless. I combined graham cracker crumbs with a little butter to make the bottom layer. I followed with a layer of Blueberry Curd, and finally, topped it all off with a little whipped cream. 



Happy tastebuds, happy life.

I think I mentioned on Thursday or Friday that I was doing really well at physical therapy, and that my therapist was thinking about discharging me. He had asked me to try a couple of things over the weekend that I'd been avoiding since hurting my back. Namely, vacuuming and running. Well, the running never happened. On Friday, I tried vacuuming. And the vacuuming did me in. You could very well insert a curse word there to describe what the vacuum did to me. I could barely climb out of bed Saturday and Sunday, and at my appointment with my therapist yesterday, he was 100% flabbergasted. He could not believe it. Needless to say, there will be more physical therapy. And still, no running. This has been a really frustrating process, I was so close to getting back on the road, I could taste it.  But, alas, no dice. 

So, I'll be resting this week. Working on my patience, for which it seems like I've needed super-sized amounts of this winter. Doing what physical therapy I can, and trying to figure out what exactly about vacuuming is doing this. I can't figure out whether it's the swivel in my hips, or the having a "weight" in my hand that I slide back and forth, or perhaps I hunch over when I vacuum? Your guess is as good as mine (and my therapists) right now.

I'm off, those 2 puppies of mine have to get their shots today. Poor kids :)

Have a great day everyone!


Ingredients (makes 2-3 cups):

1 pint fresh blueberries
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3 eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup unsalted butter

Directions:

1. Combine berries, lemon juice, and sugar in a small saucepan. Bring mixture to a simmer, then lower heat. Simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until blueberries are very soft. 
2. Push blueberry mixture through a fine mesh sieve. Discard skins and seeds. Place blueberry juice mixture back into saucepan over medium low heat. Stirring constantly, add a little bit of the eggs. Keep adding a little bit at a time until you've mixed in all the egg. Add the butter, stirring until the butter is completely melted. Keeping stirring over medium-low heat until mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon (5-7 minutes). 
3. Remove from heat, push mixture through fine mesh sieve one more time into a small bowl. Once strained, place a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the blueberry mixture. Place in the fridge, and chill for 2-3 hours. Store in an airtight container in the fridge up to 1 week.


Recipe adapted from Rust and Sunshine.
If you liked this recipe, you may enjoy these-







16 comments:

  1. Oh man, that sucks about your back!! Was it running that originally injured it or something else. If you stay diligent with the PT exercises, you should get back to it soon enough.

    I'm getting excited about summer produce already. Actual fresh berries from our area (not some shipped in from Mexico) and gardening some of my own stuff too. I really liked that lemon blueberry bar recipe Inmade of yours last summer! Mmm...

    If you happen to visit Oregon this summer and come to Eugene, let me know! We'd be happy to go out to lunch/dinner or take a walk somewhere.

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    1. Yes, the back problems are not fun. I injured it in Mexico, I believe playing beach volleyball after 1 too many margaritas. I was doing really well at PT until I vacuumed. Back at square one, but we'll get it figured out :)

      I'm going to be in Oregon June 12th-25th. I would love to visit with you and your husband while I'm there! Jerame and I always go to Eugene when we visit, so we should definitely get together. We'll have to make plans when it gets a little closer :)

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  2. That's terrible about your back? Where does it hurt? Have you tried yoga? Yoga is the only thing that seems to keep me moving without hurting.

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    1. My left SI joint gets inflamed, which is my lower left back. The problem when it gets inflamed is I can't really do anything at all. I only get to rest, heat and ice, and take ibuprofen 3 times a day for 7 days. After the inflammation goes down, then yoga helps a ton! I do a lot of yoga moves in my physical therapy actually. But right now, I'm at that spot where I can barely move. So, working on getting the inflammation down and then back to yoga and strengthening. It's quite the process :)

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  3. Love your pics first of all, and this made me miss my garden. Hurry spring! Thanks for linkin up at Amy's Circle Share hop.

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    1. Thanks Amy! I miss my garden too, I can't wait for our last frost! It should be soon here where I am :) I hope yours arrives soon too!

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  4. I so wish it was spring here! I've never had blueberry curd, but I can't wait to try it. I hope your back feels better!

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    1. I have a feeling I'm going to be making lots of curds this summer. I found a post on several different citrus curds (blood orange, grapefruit, even lime) that I can't wait to try. Curds just make pretty and delicious desserts. Thanks for the well wishes, and for stopping by! Have a great day Kim! :)

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  5. I really hope your back starts to heal faster. Take it easy on yourself in the mean time.

    I hope the pups got through the shots okay!

    xo,
    rue

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    1. Thanks Rue! I've been trying to take it easy. Reading, watching a lot of "Orphan Black, and staying off the feet.

      The pups hated their appointment, as usual. They were pretty sore the rest of the day, but what do you know, back to normal the next day :) Have a great day Rue!

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  6. Sorry about your back...back in the 70's I had low back surgery...the doctor told me to be very careful vacuuming as it stresses the low back...to make a long story short...I some how talked my husband into taking over all the vacuuming!
    Your blueberry curd looks delicious...thanks for sharing the recipe.
    Wishing you a wonderful week, Jessica.

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    1. Almost everyone I've talked to has said that about vacuuming! Maybe this needs to be the hubby's chore from now on? I can tell you it's his chore for NOW though :) You have a great week too Marigene!

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  7. oh man this sound delish! I LOVE blueberries, not to crazy about lemon curd but I bet this is addictive! I am excited to give it a try. Hope you rest up and take it easy! Thanks for linking to Snickerdoodle Sunday!

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    1. It is pretty good! I actually found myself eating it out of the jar when it was in the fridge, LOL. I do the same thing with jam though. I may have a fruit problem... Have a great week! :)

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  8. Oh wow- BLUEBERRY CURD! I've never heard of using blueberries before, how divine! So glad you linked up to Snickerdoodle Sunday- hope to see you again this weekend!

    Sarah (Sadie Seasongoods)

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    1. It's the perfect use for extra berries, I loved it! Such a cool departure from Lemon Curd! Have a great weekend Sarah! :)

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