Pick one fruit or vegetable and prepare it three ways. These were the directives we were given for this month’s Creative Cooking Crew challenge. Since it is summer there is no shortage of options. The tough part is actually picking that one ingredient.
My original idea was blueberries but I could not find nice ones in my neighborhood (I am embarrased to say) but I saw some lovely blackberries. I have always found them to be so mysterious and I would say they picked me! For an extra challenge my three recipes componse the main course. No desserts here. My menu consists of a pizza, a salad and of course a refreshing cocktail.
As you check out the recipes let me share with you 9 blackberry facts you may not know which I found on an article in the Huffington Post:
1) Much like spinach, raisins, apples, plums and grapes, blackberries are rich in bioflavonoids and Vitamin C, but other nutritional benefits include a very low sodium count and having only 62 calories to a cup.
2) The dark blue colour ensures blackberries have one of the highest antioxidant levels of all fruits. Antioxidants, well-known for lowering the risk of a number of cancers, are a huge bonus, but be aware the berries are best consumed in their natural state to get the full benefits.
Blackberry Mojitos
Ingredients
Per glass
- 5 mint leaves
- 3 blackberries
- 2 tsp sugar
- 1/2 small lime juiced
- 2 oz Rum
- Extra blackberries
- Ice
- Club Soda
Instructions
- Muddle the mint leaves, blackberries, sugar and lime in a glass.
- Mix in the rum, a few whole blackberries and ice.
- Top of with club soda.
3) The berries are known by a variety of names, which include brambleberries, bramble, dewberry, thimbleberry and lawers.
4) Consumption of blackberries can help to promote the healthy tightening of tissue, which is a great non-surgical procedure to make skin look younger. Prolonged consumption also helps keeps your brain alert, thereby maintaining clarity of thought and good memory.
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5) The high tannin content of blackberries provides a number of benefits to reduce intestinal inflammation, alleviate hemorrhoids and soothe the effects of diarrhea. It is important to incorporate berries in your diet in a variety of ways. Have them as a snack or in your cereal or even as a smoothie.
6) Traditionally, the leaves and barks of the plant have also been consumed. The leaves of blackberries have been used to treat mild inflammation of the gums and sometimes even sore throats.
7) The astringent tannins are effective in oral hygiene when used as a gargle or mouthwash.
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8) The leaves can also be used in a refreshing cup of tea or enhanced as a therapeutic drink. Not everyone will like the flavour, so to mask the bitter taste, honey or another form of sweetener may be added.
9) The healthy dose of Vitamin K aids in muscle relaxing, so some women use the berries to alleviate labour pains. As part of a regular diet, the juice can also be used to regulate menstruation as it is very effective in helping blood to clot.
Thank you Lazaro Cooks and Foodalogue for this month’s fun challenge. Check out what the other members have created on our Pinterest board by clicking on the banner below.
The cocktail, pizza and salad recipes were all adapted from the original ones.
what a great meal!! i’m especially loving that mojito 🙂
Cool that you did pizza, salad and a drink all with one ingredient! I would love any/all of these!
oh my gosh, that mojito sounds wonderful! and that pizza! and that salad! such awesome recipes!
We had the drink in common…mst make that mojito and I agree with Joan about the pizza…Way to go!
I almost got blackberries then the mushrooms appeared and I made them. I love blackberries in everything… usually keep them in my freezer to pop into oatmeal or yogurt. I’ll try all of these for sure.. blackberry mojito, YES
I almost got blackberries then the mushrooms appeared and I made them. I love blackberries in everything… usually keep them in my freezer to pop into oatmeal or yogurt. I’ll try all of these for sure.. blackberry mojito, YES
Very nice job on all of these dishes. I want that mojito!
Awesome post. The mojito looks great.
Wow,
The mojitos sound amazing!!!
I never had blackberry pizza but now it’s all I can think about! Super yum!
Blackberries in a pizza? I’m tempted to try it, even if the seeds are just going to get stuck in my teeth.
Evelyn! Your tree recipes are great… and so are those plump, beautiful blackberries!
3 great and very creative recipes. My fav is the spinach salad, looks gorgeous.
Thank you for the interesting info about black berries. They have always been one of my favorite summer fruits but now that I learned about all their benefits I’ll appreciate them even more.
wow love these recipes especially the mojito
I love what you did with Blackberries! We have such an abundance in our backyard. The pizza and salad combo is gorgeous and I could never turn down a Blackberry Mojito! Yum!
Mmm, you had me at Blackberry and Cheese puff-pastry pizza! Nicely done. What time’s dinner?
You have brilliantly used the blackberries and created such wonderful recipes! Have fallen in love with all three!
Wow! I love all three recipes especially the Mojito. And they go so well together…that was clever!
I love the idea of adding fruits to savory dishes and that pizza just stole my heart!
What an interesting challenge and I like the variety of your choices too Eve! 😀 Pizza is so inventive!
G’day! I love blackberries, true!
never would have thought to put them on a pizza…great idea too!
Cheers! Joanne
Oh, my, you’ve outdone yourself!!! I love all 3 recipes and wouldn’t blink at eating (and drinking) them all at one sitting. Great choice for this challenge 🙂
Wow Evelyne, all three recipes are awesome…especially the pizza…I would love to give this a try.
Thanks for the recipes and have a wonderful week ahead 😀
I would like all of the above BUT I’m particularly keen on the pizza. You are so inventive! =)
3 great recipes, Eve..I particularly love that salad!
What a beautiful meal, Ev! I bet the drink ties the flavors together perfectly!
mmmm I love blackberry mojitos! My perfect summer cocktail.
Very nice. I especially love the ‘pizza’. I think it would make a great breakfast item too.