Try these Blueberry Pairings with Your Favorite Pumpkin Recipes

Fall is here!  It’s the time of year when pumpkin recipes, coffee drinks, pies, and other desserts abound.  Unlike pumpkins, however, blueberries have a flavor that knows no season or food type.  You can enjoy blueberries as part of your drink, in a dessert– even on your pizza!  So why not replace some of your pumpkin recipes with blueberries?  Okay, we love pumpkin too, so maybe don’t scratch the beloved fall fruit.  But there is no reason why you can’t have both at this time of year.

Here are a few blueberry recipes from the US Highbush Blueberry Council that you can pair with your favorite pumpkin recipes at your next family gathering.

A Cool Drink with Your Pumpkin Pie

TIP! Instead of hot coffee with your pumpkin pie, try a cool down with this delicious twist on a classic adult beverage.

Blueberry Rosemary Moscow Mule:

Cool down and relax with a blueberry rosemary Moscow mule, a refreshing take on a classic. And with only 4 ingredients you can whip up a blueberry Moscow mule anytime!

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons fresh blueberries, divided

• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

• 2 ounces vodka

• 4 ounces ginger beer

Instructions

In a tall Collins glass, muddle 1 tablespoon fresh blueberries and lime juice. Fill glass with ice and the additional tablespoon blueberries. Pour in 2 ounces vodka and 4 ounces ginger beer; stir. Garnish with rosemary, if desired.

Nutrition

Per serving:

197 calories

0 g protein

18 g carbohydrates

0 g dietary fiber

0 g fat

0 g saturated fat

A Yummy Pairing with Pumpkin Recipes for Lunch or Dinner

TIP! Pair this delicious blueberry grilled cheese recipe with a pumpkin soup for a surprising and savory fall dinner.

Blueberry Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Sounds absurd to put blueberries on a grilled cheese sandwich, right? Wait till you try it! How can you resist the cheese melted with honey, apples, and to top it off, butter? This sandwich is the perfect lunch or dinner for kids!

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon butter, softened

• 4 slices whole wheat bread

• 1 tablespoon honey

• ½ cup blueberries

• 2 to 3 ozs. white Cheddar cheese or American, sliced thin

• 6 thin slices apple

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 400 °F.   Lightly butter one side of each bread slice.

2. Place bread on a work surface buttered-side-down.  Drizzle honey over two of the slices; top with blueberries.

3. Add a slice of cheese, then the apple slices. Top with remaining cheese.  Top with remaining two slices of bread, buttered-side–up.

4. In a heavy ovenproof skillet over medium heat, cook sandwiches until golden brown on the bottom.  Turn sandwiches over and transfer skillet to oven.

5. Bake about 5 minutes or until golden brown and cheese is melted.

6. Remove from oven and enjoy.

Number of servings (yield): 2 sandwiches

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