Instagram of the Day :: Blueberry Pie Makes My Heart Sing

Tis the Season for Baking!

Oh yes, I LOVE Blueberry pie to no end.  That first bite with just a hint of yummy whipped cream really does make my heart sing!  This past week I was craving a good homemade blueberry pie so I got all the necessary ingredients (did you know a big bag of blueberries is $9.99? – crazy!) at the store and set about making oatmeal raisin cookies for my husband (his favorite), added some Ghirardelli chocolate chips in some of the batch (for my daughter) and while those were in the oven making the whole house smell wonderful, I searched Google for my favorite blueberry pie recipe.  I prefer the recipes that use only the simplest ingredients and was surprised at the number of recipe’s that called for some funky additions – like lemon-flavored jello.  Really?  Why not add fresh lemon juice and the skin to give it a more natural and healthier taste!

Blueberries are a Super Food!

Blueberries are considered one of the super foods and is one of the highest of any fruit for antioxidants such as vitamin C and one cup delivers  14% of the recommended daily dose of fiber.  Blueberries are noted to boost your brain power and may even prevent cancer (those antioxidants doing their job).  Their color comes from their high anthocyanin content, which gives certain fruits and vegetables their gorgeous blues and reds.  July is considered National Blueberry Month because it is the peak of its harvest where North America accounts for 90% of the worlds supply.  So next time you have a craving for some yummy blueberry pie – try this recipe because homemade always (unless you are having a bad baking day – which happens to the best of us) tastes better than store bought and you know what ingredients are or aren’t in this healthy treat.  For the crust, you can find Gluten-free pie crusts or a whole wheat crust at most Whole Foods or Natural Food store near you.  And check Costco or Walmart for a large bag of frozen blueberries as they are probably more cost-effective than your local grocery store.

My Favorite Blueberry Pie Recipe:

I prefer an open faced pie to help cut back on the calories from the crust – and would rather enjoy more blueberries than crust!  But if you prefer the more traditional pie – feel free to add the top crust!

Crust:   You can look for a recipe to make your own crust on Food Network or Simply Recipes but I am game for just buying a frozen crust from Whole Foods.  They offer gluten-free crusts as well or Whole Wheat.

Filling:

6 cups (about 2 1/4 pounds) of fresh or frozen blueberries, rinsed and stems removed.  If using frozen, defrost and drain first.

1/2 teaspoon lemon zest

1 Tbsp lemon juice

1/4 cup all-purpose flour (for thickening)

1 Tbsp of corn starch (for thickening)

1/2 cup white granulated sugar (100g)

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

2 Tbsp butter (unsalted) cut into small pieces.

Directions:

Gently mix the blueberries, sugar, flour, cinnamon, lemon zest and lemon juice in a large bowl.  I like to let it sit for about 15 minutes before I transfer them to the chilled bottom crust of the pie pan to let the juices and other ingredients blend together. Dot with butter pieces.

Bake for 20 minutes at 425 degrees.  Reduce heat to 350 degree Fahrenheit and bake for 30 to 40 minutes more or until juices are bubbling and have thickened.  Transfer to a wire rack to cool.  Let cool completely before serving.

Recipe courtesy of: simplyrecipes.com

Photo courtesy of Flickr:

What is your favorite type of pie?