Œl’1 IJn rtlan h ©bsœrüer P ageA 6 F ood Blueberries Mother Nature's Fountain o f Youth Blueberries are a favorite fruit, loved for their sw eet-tart taste, their spicy aroma and their unique indigo-blue color. The good news is that we now love blueberries for our health as well as their taste. SAFEWAY O Ingredients for life.» May 28. 2 0 0 8 T he m ission o f the food page is to provide our readers w ith great-tasting healthy recipes and useful • household information. The Portland Observer respectfully requests all comments or family recipes that you w ould like to share with us addressed in e- m ail to sharons@ portlandobserver.com . Blueberries are rich in vitamins A, C, E and beta-carotene, as well as rich in the minerals potassium, manganese and magnesium. They are very high in fiber and low in saturated fat, cholesterol and so­ dium. But this is just the tip of the nutritional iceberg, for recent stud­ ies tell us that, of all fresh fruits and vegetables, blueberries provide the most health-protecting antioxi­ dants, those valuable elements which prevent cancer-causing cell COUPONS! 2sa damage and may limit the changes wrought by age related diseases. Anthocyanins create the blue color in blueberries. They are water-soluble and will bleed into water (or on mouths and clothes). Anthocyanins are antioxidants, known to reduce heart disease and cancer in humans. They are found throughout the plant world, but blueberries are the highest of any fruit or vegetable. This substance is believed to combat E. coli. Resveratrol is a substance that is pro­ duced by several plants including blueber­ ries. A number of beneficial health effects, such as an ti-can cer, an ti-viral, neuroprotecti ve, anti-aging, anti-inflamma­ tory and life-prolonging effects have been reported for this substance. There are current studies worldwide to determine further effects on health, and many believe that blueberries help the eyes, prevent urinary-tract infections, lower cholesterol, protect against macular degeneration and aid the cardiovascular system. These are significant health ben­ efits that rank blueberries as one of the top foods for nutrition-to-weight. The nutritional value of blueberries makes them one of the best foods we can eat. And if you live near a blueberry patch and have any ordinary bucket, gathering this humble berry is one of life’s joys. Anyone who has gone blueberry picking as a child will carry the memory for life. You can freeze fresh blueberries. Do not wash them, but put them straight on a cookie sheet straight into the freezer. Once frozen, you can put them in a plastic freezer bag. You don't need to defrost blueberries to use them in baking, but it's best to thaw slowly in the refrigerator and drain well if you are using them uncooked. days only BUDGET 0 r ETCHER s 4 4* Blueberry Hill Cupcakes "Freezing the berries before add­ ing them to the batter prevents them from sinking to the bottom and from discoloring the cupcakes. ” Ingredients CUPCAKES • 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour • 1 1/4 cups sugar • I tablespoon baking powder • 1/2 teaspoon coarse kosher salt • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda • 6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted but­ ter, melted • 1/4 cup canola oil • 2 large eggs • 1 cup buttermilk or low-fat yogurt • I cup whole milk • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract teaspoon grated lemon peel • 1 l/4cupsfreshblueberries,frozenfor4 hours FROSTING • 2 1/4 cups powdered sugar • 10 tablespoons (1 1/4 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature • 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons maple sugar • 1/2 teaspoon coarse kosher salt • 1 1/4 teaspoons vanilla extract • 4 teaspoons (or more) whole milk • 1 cup chilled fresh blueberries • Fresh mint sprigs (optional) Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two 12-cup muffin pans with paper liners. Sift flour and next 4 ingredients into large bowl. 2. Whisk melted butter and oil in medium bowl. Add eggs;, whisk to blend. Whisk in buttermilk, milk, vanilla extract, and peel. Add buttermilk mixture to dry ingredients; whisk just to blend. Stir in frozen blueberries. Divide batter among liners. 3. Bake cupcakes until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 23 minutes. Transfer cupcakes to racks; cool. For frosting: 1. Combine first 5 ingredients in medium bowl. Add 4 teaspoons milk. Using electric mixer, beat until well blended and fluffy, adding more milk by teaspoonfuls if dry (small granules of maple sugar will still remain), about 4 minutes. Spread frosting over top of cupcakes. 2. Garnish cupcakes with chilled berries, and mint sprigs, if desired. (Can be made 4 hours ahead. Store in airtight container at room temperature.) White Balsamic Custard Tart with Fresh Berry Topping Directions FORCRUST: 1. Combine flour, sugar and salt in proces­ CRUST • 1 1 / 4 cups all purpose flour • 3 Tbs. sugar • 1/4 tsp. salt • 1/2 cup (1 stick) chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes • 1 large egg yolk • I Tbs. whipping cream FILLING • 1/2 cup whipping cream • 2 Tbs. cornstarch • 2 large eggs • 4 large egg yolks • I tsp. vanilla extract • 1/2 cup white balsamic vinegar • 3/4 cup water • 3/4 cup sugar • 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter Prices In its» ad are effect * 6 AM W M m m lty Ma» 28 thro Tuesday. June 3 .2008 m all Safeway stores in Oregon (escecit Millon-f reewater) and S W Washington stores serving Wahkiakum. CnwhO Clark. Skamania and m«krtat Counties items offered tot sale are not available to other dealers nt wholesale's Sales of oroducts containing emeddne nseudoechednne or phenylpropanolamine United by law Quantity rights 'eserved SOME ADVERTISING ITEMS MAY NOT BE AVAiLAft£ IN ALL STORES. Some advertised prices may be even lowet in some stores On Buy One, Gel One Free TBOGO’ i offers customer must purchase the first item '0 receive It» second item free BOGO offers are not 1/2 price sales If only a single dam purchased the regular price applies Manufacture's roupons may He used on purchased items only — not on free items. I imit one coupon pm purchased item Custom« w l be responsible for lav and deposits as required by law on the purchased and tree items No liquor sates in excess of 52 gallons No liquor sales lor resale Liquor sales at licensed Safeway stores only © 2008 Safeway »e. AvailaMitv of Hems may vary By store TO ’ I TOPPING • 2 large strawberries, hulled, sliced • 2 1/2-pint containers blueberries • 1 I /2-pint container raspberries sor; blend 5 seconds. Add butter and blend, using on/off turns, until coarse meal forms. Add egg yolk and cream. Us­ ing on/off turns, blend until moist clumps form. Gather dough into ball. Press dough evenly into 9-inch-diameter tart pan with removable bottom. Pierce dough all over with fork. Chill I hour. 2. Preheat oven to 375°F. Bake crust until golden, pressing with back of fork if crust bubbles, about 22 minutes. Cool. FOREII.LING: 1. Stir cream and cornstarch in medium bowl until cornstarch dissolves. Add eggs, egg yolks, and vanilla; whisk to blend. 2. Boil vinegar in heavy medium saucepan until reduced to 1/4 cup, about 3 minutes. Add 3/4 cup water, sugar, and butter. Stir until butter melts; return to boil. Gradually whisk vinegar mixture into egg mixture; return to pan. Whisk until the custard thickens and boils; about I minute. Strain into bowl; cool. 3. Spreadcustard in prepared crus,. Cover and chill tart at leas, 3 hours and up to 1 day. PORTOPPING: I. Arrange strawberry slices in star pat­ tern in center of tart. Arrange raspberries in star pattern. Surround with blueberries. Cover loosely and chi 11 until ready to serve. (Can be made up to 6 hours ahead.)