Blueberry Soup Fix

What’s more summery than plump, indigo-stained blueberries practically bursting at the seams with sweetness?  Berries of all sorts are the emblematic fruits of summer.  And unlike ice cream, you don’t have to feel guilty about loving them!  Not to bore you with the details, but blueberries have immeasurable health benefits.  They have an extremely low glycemic index, which means they don’t impact our blood sugar levels.  Another plus is that they also have tons of antioxidants, which means they improve memory, not to mention they’re full of fiber.  In other words, snack away!

If you’re looking for a quick blueberry fix, there’s plenty of great options, but they won’t last long.  One of our favorites is the Warm Blueberry Crumble at Dressler.  This unspeakably good dessert is served with crème fraiche ice cream and a port wine reduction.  Or head to the West Village for brunch at Hudson Clearwater and try a side of their Blueberry Cornmeal Pancakes with Maple Butter (to-die-for).  At Fulton on the Upper East Side, there’s a Blueberry Crush cocktail, a refreshing blend of Kettle One Citroen, Mint and Fresh Blueberries.  And we can’t forget Osteria Morini’s Torta di Olio, a rosemary olive oil cake with blueberries, capped off with a housemade rosemary yogurt gelato.  Then, there’s Dan Barber’s Blue Hill, a temple of all things local and in season. Right now, they’ve got a breakfast for dessert with a housemade Blue Hill Granola, served with blueberry yogurt sorbet, fresh blueberries and drizzled with honey.

If you don’t feel like dining out, you can always pick up a pint (or three) at the local farmer’s market and make something yourself.  A lot of recipes involving blueberries, or any fruit at all, aren’t really healthy because there’s a lot of added sugar involved.  (Think blueberry crumble, pie, ice cream and you get the picture.)  So we sat down and developed a blueberry recipe that contains no artificial sugars, butter, or unnecessary fats.  Blueberry Soup anyone?  We’re obsessed with this deliciously healthy dessert. When you’re entertaining, you can serve it in shot glasses.  Hey, you can even add vodka to the soup and turn it into a summer cocktail!

Blueberry Soup
Inspired by an SPE Certified Recipe – RG Writer Dana Mortell

2 pints blueberries
1 ¼ cup basil-agave simple syrup
½ tsp cinnamon
1 cup water
½ fresh squeezed lemon juice
pinch of salt
greek yogurt to add

Steps:

1. In a sauce-pan over medium heat, combine blueberries and water and set to a simmer.
2. Add a pinch of salt and the cinnamon.
3. Take off of heat and add the basil-agave simple syrup and lemon juice.
4. Pour into a bowl and serve with a dollop of plain Greek yogurt.

Dressler Address: 149 Broadway btwn Driggs and Bedford Aves
Phone: (718) 384-6343 Website: www.dresslernyc.com

Hudson Clearwater Address: 447 Hudson St. at Morton St.
Phone: (212) 989-3255 Website:  www.hudsonclearwater.com

Fulton Address: 205 E. 75^th St. btwn 2^nd and 3^rd Aves.
Phone: (212) 288-6600 Website: www.fultonnyc.com

Osteria Morini Address: 218 Lafayette St. btwn Kenmare and Spring Streets.
Phone (212)-965-8777 Website: www.osteriamorini.com

Blue Hill Address: 75 Washington Place btwn. Washington Square West and 6^th Ave.
Phone: (212) 539-1776 Website: www.bluehillfarm.com