Add Some Fresh Produce to Your Summer Meals!
Farmer’s markets, fresh veggies, and fruit stands—sure signs of summer in Michigan! If you drive along many of the country roads in our great state, you will see farm stands filled with fresh produce for sale. It’s one of my favorite sights to see during the summer.
There’s nothing better than hopping out at a farm stand, dropping my money in a can to pay for fresh veggies and fruit, and heading down the road to the next stand along my route. I only wish those stands could last all year long, and we could enjoy the freshness every day of the year.
Although I thoroughly enjoyed strawberry season and eating fresh berries every day, we are now in the thick of blueberry season! It’s time to switch gears and start using fresh blueberries in your every day recipes.
So, to help you get started, here are some great ways to use two of my favorite Blueberry Haven products in your meals:
Blueberry Balsamic Garlic Vinaigrette:
My go-to favorite salad includes lettuce (your favorite kind), crumbled blue cheese, red onion, and blueberries. Of course, this is all tossed with our yummy vinaigrette. It’s quick, easy, and sure to impress your dinner guests. This salad pairs well with grilled chicken or salmon.
Another great way to use this vinaigrette is as a marinade for chicken or pork, and it also tastes great poured over grilled veggies. Yum!
Blueberry Lemon Basil Dressing:
A quick and easy way to use this dressing is as a side for dipping fresh veggies. I always tell my customers to use this dressing just like they would use ranch dressing for dipping.
This dressing is also a great addition to coleslaw salad. I toss a package of coleslaw with green apples (cut in small pieces), crumbled feta cheese, blueberries, sliced almonds, and add the dressing before serving. It’s a great side for any barbecue, especially if you are serving grilled chicken coated with our Blueberry Barbecue Sauce!
I hope you get a chance to add some (or maybe all) of these tasty ideas to your summer meals. Enjoy all the locally-grown, fresh produce while you can; we truly have some of the best right here in West Michigan!
