Blackberry Vanilla Syrup

Blackberry Vanilla Syrup

For reasons I can’t quite identify, I’ve become a little obsessed with fizzy water this summer. In my efforts to drink less beer, it tends to be a better substitute than non-fizzy water. And my fizzy water of choice, Perrier, comes in wonderfully shaped, curvy green bottles that make my packaging-obsessed self happy. I prefer the non-flavored variety, and I often drink it on its own, but sometimes I feel the need for something a little fancier. And with berries and stone fruits galore in season right now, it seemed the ideal time to make some fruit syrups to add to my sparkling beverages.

This blackberry syrup isn’t just good for fizzy water, though. It makes a great topping for ice cream or yogurt, and would be terrific stirred into oatmeal, if I ever felt like eating oatmeal in the summer. Supposedly, it can last for up to six months in the refrigerator, so if I can make it last until the weather cools down, I’ll be able to find out. That’s a pretty big if, though.
Continue reading Blackberry Vanilla Syrup

Blackberry Currant Sauce

Blackberry Sauce

I have never been much of a fruit person, but I’ve been seduced by the beautiful berries at the Farmers’ Market. I cannot resist the piles of berries and peaches and plums, and the best part is that it is easy to turn berries into dessert. And because it’s fruit, I can convince myself that dessert is now healthy.

This sauce requires all of three ingredients, takes about ten minutes, and makes vanilla ice cream my new favorite flavor. And I usually shun vanilla ice cream as dull, so that’s saying something. It was also quite spectacular stirred into some plain yogurt, and also, eaten out of the dish with a spoon.
Continue reading Blackberry Currant Sauce