Interesting Recipe Ideas for a Bounty of Blackberries
Bored of blackberry jam and sweet desserts? Everyone knows that blackberries make wonderful jams, and can be delicious in a range of puddings, pies, crumbles and more. I make blackberry jam each year, sometimes combining the blackberries with apples in a range of preserves. Sweet recipe ideas abound.
But there are plenty of other ways to make the most of a bounty of blackberries which may satisfy those who want to move beyond the sweet blackberry recipes and try something a bit different. Here are a few interesting recipe ideas for breakfast, lunch and dinner, some obvious, some perhaps less so, to help you ring the changes this year:
Blackberries Breakfast Ideas
Blackberries for breakfast can be a healthy choice, and there are plenty of ways to use them in recipes to start your day right. Eating some fresh berries for breakfast can be a great idea, but you definitely don’t have to eat them on their own. Here are some simple but effective ways to make use of blackberries for an everyday breakfast:
Natural Yogurt With Blackberries and Honey
Simply adding some blackberries to a bowl with natural yoghurt and some honey or other natural sweetener could be a great idea. This is an easy way to break your fast. You might also add other seasonal fruits, or some nuts or seeds to ring the changes.
You might also layer yoghurt with blackberries, honey and oats in a jar and enjoy overnight oats the following morning, or stir these ingredients into oatmeal in the morning.
Blackberry Muffins
Baking some delicious blackberry muffins is another good way to go. Of course there are plenty of sweet recipes to choose from. But you might also include tart blackberries in a savoury recipe too. Baking some healthy muffins without refined sugar can make them a healthy option that can feel like a real treat.
Pancakes With Blackberry Sauce
Another option is to make a blackberry sauce by simply stewing and straining the berries and sweetening them or spicing them to taste. This sauce can be used in a wide range of ways, but one great way to use a blackberry syrup or blackberry sauce is on some breakfast pancakes. Whether you prefer crepes or thicker pancakes, you can make them absolutely delicious with this addition. Of course, you might toss some fresh berries on top too.
Blackberries Lunch Ideas
Blackberries are also a great ingredient for a range of light lunches. Here are just three delightful, easy lunch ideas that you might like to try. Of course, these recipes could also make great side dishes, or be served alongside other things for a more substantial meal.
Blackberry Tahini Salad
Grab some baby leaf salad or other leafy greens from your garden. Toss in a handful of blackberries and some sunflower and pumpkin seeds. And drizzle over a tahini dressing with tahini, olive oil, honey and salt and pepper to taste. You’ll get a delicious and healthy salad which can be enjoyed at home, or packed up to enjoy on the go. The tahini dressing combined with the tart blackberries makes for a wonderful flavour combination.
Grilled Haloumi with Blackberry Honey Compote
Blackberries also pair very well with grilled cheeses, like haloumi (or a vegan alternative). Grilled cheese slathered with a blackberry and honey compote is a wonderful and satisfying lunch which leaves the taste buds tingling. If you are trying to cut down on carbs then this is another easy option to consider.
Blackberry and Ricotta Toast
If you are a bit of a bread addict, blackberry jam sandwiches are definitely not the only option. You can also use blackberries in sandwiches or on toast in a range of other ways. One delicious idea involves adding some fresh blackberries on top of some ricotta (or vegan cheese) toast. The berries cut through the fattiness of cheeses and make the whole dish lighter, brighter and more refreshing.
Blackberries Dinner Ideas
Blackberries can also be used as key ingredients in a range of more substantial meals. You might be surprised by how many different ingredients pair well with blackberries. Of course, blackberries can work well with meat dishes, but there are also plenty of ways to use them in vegetarian or plant-based recipes which cater for every diet.
Ricotta, Blackberry and Basil Pizza
Ricotta and blackberries also pair up very nicely for an alternative pizza topping. Combine a smooth, creamy cheese (or alternative) with basil and other seasonings to taste and spread this over your pizza base in place of a tomato-based sauce. Dot on some fresh blackberries, some fresh basil. Or some basil pesto and you have an interesting alternative pizza option for a delicious but pretty easy evening meal.
Blackberry, Wild Rice and Barley Salad
Blackberries won’t only work in plenty of cold salads, they’ll work well in warm, hearty salads too. For example, you can combine wild rice and barley with blackberries, herbs, perhaps some onions, leeks, or green leaf vegetables, and seasonings to taste, to make a filling plant-based meal.
Nut Roast With Blackberry Glaze
If you have more time and are willing to spend some more time to create your evening meal, a nut roast is a veggie classic which can be brightened and improved with a luscious blackberry glaze. In fact, many different nut roasts of solid veggie bakes can be glazed with a blackberry syrup – made with maple syrup, agave or honey for sweetness but still fruity and with a hint of the tartness of the fresh berries.
Of course, the ideas mentioned above are just a few of the many different recipes that you could try. If you have more ideas and would like to let us know how you use the blackberries you forage, or grow in your garden, please reach out to use below to let us know. We’d love to hear your favourite blackberry recipe ideas and any other tips you have about using up a glut of blackberries in your kitchen.
