Whole Story

Every spring, I count down the weekends until the local berry farm is ready to open for harvests. Then, full of visions of jam, pie, muffins and just plain eating, I load box after box with sweet, sun-ripened berries. (I can’t resist sneaking a few into my mouth, too.)

My husband always protests at the amount of berries I want to bring home, but after a few days all that remains are a few smushed berries at the bottom of a box, and the days seem just a tiny bit less full of sunshine. Obviously, berries are one of my favorite foods. In fact, I love berries so much that I have raspberries tattooed on my arm – a permanent ode to nature’s sweet gifts.

Even though berry season isn’t as permanent, it’s easy to get creative and find ways to enjoy them in every meal, all summer long.

Brighten up breakfast on the go with a Strawberry Lassi, Blueberry Muffin Smoothie or Pineapple Raspberry Smoothie.

If you’re a fan of flapjacks, we’ve got you covered with Whole Wheat Blueberry Pancakes, Ricotta-Strawberry Pancakes or Cinnamon Pancakes with Blueberry Compote.

Entertaining is made sweet with Gluten-Free Baked Berry French Toast – just call it bread pudding if you serve it after breakfast hours!

Luncheon salads get even more refreshing with the addition of berries. Try Raspberry-Walnut Salad with Mt. Tam Cheese or the lushly hued Greens and Green Beans Salad with Blueberry Dressing.

Go for a snack or appetizer with Strawberry and Goat Cheese Bruschetta.

Ready for dinner? Combine sweet with savory and try Baked Salmon with Spinach and Strawberry Salsa, Pork Medallions with Raspberry Sauce or Green Salad with Rotisserie Chicken and Blackberry Dressing.

Chocolate is the perfect partner for sweet and tart berries. Make Chocolate-Strawberry Ice Cream Cake or Chocolate-Raspberry Cupcakes for a crowd.

Double up on the tastes of summer with Blackberry and Peach Buttermilk Cobbler, or skip baking with this crunchy Raw Berry Crisp.

Be they raspberries, blackberries, strawberries or blueberries, what’s your favorite way to enjoy summer’s fruitful harvest?