Blueberry Cheesecake (No-bake)

Graham Cracker Crust:

16-18 graham cracker squares
1/4 c. sugar
6 T. butter, melted

Crush graham crackers with a rolling pin; measure 1 1/4 c. crumbs.  Place in medium mixing bowl; stir in sugar.  Stir in melted butter and toss to thoroughly combine.

Place in a 9-inch pie plate.  Spread evenly and press to make a firm, even crust.  Bake at 375 degrees F. for 6-9 minutes or until edges are brown.  Cool completely. 
NOTE: Crust can also be chilled until firm if a completely no-bake dessert is your goal.

Cheesecake:

8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1/4 c. lemon juice
1 t. clear vanilla

After crust is cool, blend cream cheese with milk until smooth and creamy.  Add lemon juice and mix well, then add vanilla.  Pour into crust.  Chill  until firm.  Prepare blueberry topping while cheesecake chills.

Blueberry Sauce*:

1/4 c. water
1 t. cornstarch
1 1/2 c. blueberries (frozen work well, but fresh could be used as well)
1/4 c. sugar
1/8 t. salt
2 t. lemon juice

Combine water and cornstarch in a medium saucepan.  Stir in blueberries, sugar, and salt.  Simmer 5 minutes or until blueberries cook down and the liquid is thickened, stirring occasionally.  Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice.  Cool. 

Before serving, pour blueberry sauce over cheese cake.  Do not eat while wearing white, lest you spill blueberries on yourself and stain a perfect garment.

*I might try this sauce recipe next time:
In a small saucepan combine 2 c. blueberries, 2 T. water, 1/3 to 1/2 c. sugar, 1 t. vanilla, and a dash salt.  Bring to boiling over medium heat.  Reduce heat and simmer 30 minutes or until thickened, stirring occasionally.

Blueberry-Pecan Biscuits

2 1/2 c. whole wheat flour
3 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
1 T. raw sugar, plus more for topping
4 T. unsalted butter
1/2 c. blueberries
1/4 c. chopped pecans
2/3 c. sour milk

Preheat oven to 450°F.  Sift flour, baking powder, and salt; stir in sugar.  Cut in butter until crumbly.  Gently add blueberries and pecans.  Add milk all at once, gently stirring until dough follows fork around bowl.  Be very gentle with the dough to avoid crushing berries.  Drop by tablespoon onto lightly greased baking sheet; sprinkle top with raw sugar.  Bake for 12-15 minutes.  Serve with yogurt or eggs.

Total prep time: approximately 1 hour.

Double Blueberry Whole-Wheat Pancakes

In honor of National Blueberry Pancake Day, my family and I savored these toothsome pancakes for supper this evening.

Sauce:

1/4 c. water

1 t. cornstarch

1 1/2 c. blueberries

1/4 c. sugar

1/8 t. salt

2 t. lemon juice

Combine water and cornstarch in a medium saucepan. Stir in blueberries, sugar, and salt. Simmer 5 minutes or until blueberries cook down and the liquid is thickened, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and add lemon juice. Cover and set aside.

Pancakes:

1 c. milk

1 T. butter, melted

1 egg, beaten

1 1/2 c. whole-wheat flour (approximately)

2 t. baking powder

2 T. sugar

1/4 t. salt

1/2 c. blueberries

Combine milk, butter, and egg in a small bowl. In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients. Pour milk mixture into dry ingredients; stir just until blended. Fold in blueberries.

Grease a griddle or cast-iron skillet. Heat over medium heat until water droplets sprinkled atop sizzle and dance. Drop batter by 1/4-c. measure onto hot skillet. Cook about 3 minutes on each side, or until golden.

Serve pancakes with blueberry sauce. And cream cheese, if desired. Other options include peanut butter, bacon, ham, whipped cream, other fruits, or whatever else your little palate desires.

Speedy Fruit Salad

1 pint fresh strawberries, sliced

1 lb seedless grapes, halved*

3 bananas, peeled and sliced

1 8-oz. container strawberry yogurt (or flavor of your choice)

*fresh blueberries may be substituted--my preference at least

Combine and serve. Serves 12

Blueberry-Banana Muffins

1 3/4 c. flour
1/2 t. baking soda
1/2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
1/4 c. quick oats
2/3 c. sugar
1/3 c. oil
2 eggs
1 t. vanilla
3 ripe bananas, mashed
1/2 to 3/4 c. blueberries (fresh or frozen)

Preheat oven to 325 degrees (F). Place paper liners in 16-18 muffin tins. Sift flour, salt, baking powder, and soda; stir in oatmeal. Combine sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla; beat until bubbly. Stir blueberries into flour mixture. Mash bananas and add to liquid mixture. Add flour mixture to liquid mixture and gently stir until dry ingredients are moist. Fill prepared muffin tins 2/3 full. If desired, sprinkle tops with sugar. Bake for about 25 minutes or until lightly browned and toothpick inserted comes out clean. Remove to wire rack to cool.
Yeild: I always get 17 muffins out of this.
Note: If desired, substitute chocolate chips for the blueberries. =)

Why stir the blueberries into the dry ingredients? I've read that it keeps them from turning the muffins green with their juice. If you wish to add them to the wet ingredients, or add them after combining everything else, go right ahead and do so. It probably doesn't matter. =D