With an abundance of produce in season at this time of year, Paul Dickson is giving his top tips for making sure you get the most out of seasonal berries.
In the summer months, I love to make sure I’m using all of the locally grown berries that are widely available in the UK and Ireland. Even better if you’ve managed to grow your own! At other times of the year, fresh blueberries and strawberries can feel like a luxury, so now is the time to really make the most of what we have whilst it’s so fresh and readily available. Here are some of my best berry recipes.
Paul is a Home Economist and food stylist working in London and the North West, creating exceptional visual stories in film & tv, on social media and in print. All of the recipes and videos featured in the article can be accessed online.
Berry Baked Bliss
Burnt Basque cheesecake is having its time in the spotlight and now there are so many different versions of it. Of course, to make it, you need to burn the top, so it doesn’t traditionally work with fruit added. However, the idea of a rustic, indulgently deep baked cheesecake can be taken and adapted to make it seasonal and fruity. Here, I’ve added blueberries for a sweet and juicy addition.
Spoonfuls of Summer
A timeless way to preserve berries is by turning them into a jam or compote. Blackcurrants work particularly well in my opinion, as their naturally tart flavour can stand up against the sugar to create a flavoursome and versatile preserve. With the croissant craze still going strong, how about adding to an indulgent cream filled pastry treat which can be served any time of the day?
Bun-Believable
Here’s a great way to use up any doughballs you have left all year round – these sweet buns are light and delicious for a morning or afternoon treat. Here I’ve added blackcurrants to the dough before baking and they’re delicious served with some blackcurrant compote.
A Sweet Fix
If you have the fantastic problem of too many strawberries, then a lovely thing to do with them is to dry them and turn them into healthy sweet treats! They can be served in little bags or put out at breakfast to add to yoghurt and cereals, as well as being used as natural decorations for cakes and desserts.
