Berry Recipes for a Better Summer

Laura Baddish shares some fun, berry-based treats to try as the weather gets warmer.

Vanilla-Champagne Soaked Fruit

• 1 (750-milliliter) bottle Champagne or sparkling wine

• 3/4 cup sugar

• 1 vanilla bean, split

• 1 (1-oz.) package fresh mint, chopped

• 1 cantaloupe, halved

• 1 pt. fresh raspberries

• 1 large orange, peeled and sectioned

• 1/2 honeydew melon, peeled and chopped (about 4 cups)

• Garnishes: chopped fresh mint, vanilla bean pod

Summer Pudding• 2 cups fresh raspberries

• 1 cup fresh blackberries

• 1 cup quartered fresh strawberries

• 1/2 cup sugar

• 1 tablespoon grated lemon rind

• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1/8 teaspoon salt

• 2 tablespoons raspberry or blackberry liqueur (optional)

• 1 lemon verbena sprig (optional)

• 1/2 teaspoon crushed green peppercorns (optional)

• 2 cups day-old white bread slices, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

• Garnishes: fresh blackberries, fresh blueberries, fresh strawberries

Strawberry-Chicken Salad• 4 skinned and boned chicken

breast halves

• Raspberry Vinaigrette, divided

• 8 cups mixed salad greens

• 1 quart strawberries, sliced

• 2 pears, sliced

• 2 avocados, peeled and sliced

• 1/2 small sweet onion, diced

• 1/2 cup pecan halves, toasted

Strawberry-Blueberry Shortcake Ice-Cream Sandwiches

• 1 lb. fresh strawberries, sliced

• 2 cups fresh blueberries

• 3 Tbsp. sugar

• Spoon evenly over 10 vanilla or chocolate miniature ice-cream sandwiches

• Dollop with 1⁄2 (8-oz.) container thawed whipped topping.

Spicy Grilled Pork Tenderloin With Blackberry Sauce

• 2 (3/4-lb.) pork tenderloins

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 1/2 tablespoons Caribbean jerk seasoning

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 2/3 cup seedless blackberry preserves

• 1/4 cup Dijon mustard

• 2 tablespoons rum or orange juice

• 1 tablespoon orange zest

• 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger

Raspberry-Banana-Yogurt Freezer Pops

• 1 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt $

• 1 banana $

• 3 cups fresh or frozen raspberries

• 1/2 cup honey

• Craft sticks

Salted Caramel Strawberries

• 20 large fresh strawberries $

• 40 caramels

• 3 tablespoons whipping cream $

• 1/4 teaspoon salt $

• 1 1/4 cups coarsely chopped mixed nuts $

• Wax paper

Raspberry Buttercream Frosting

• 1/2 cup butter, softened

• 1/2 cup fresh raspberries

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1/8 teaspoon salt

• 1 (16-oz.) package powdered sugar

Raspberry Beer Cocktail

• 3/4 cup frozen raspberries

• 3 1/2 (12-oz.) bottles beer, chilled

• 1 (12-oz.) container frozen raspberry lemonade concentrate, thawed

• 1/2 cup vodka

• Garnish: lemon and lime slices

Lemon-Poppy Seed Belgian Waffles with Blackberry Maple Syrup

• 2 cups all-purpose baking mix

• 1 to 2 Tbsp. poppy seeds

• 1 tablespoon lemon zest

• 1 1/4 cups cold club soda

• 1 large egg, lightly beaten

• 1/4 cup butter, melted

• Blackberry Maple Syrup

• Crème fraîche (optional)

• Garnish: fresh mint sprigs

Honey-Balsamic-Blueberry Pie• 3 cups all-purpose flour $

• 3/4 cup cold butter, sliced $

• 6 tablespoons cold vegetable shortening, sliced

• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

• 4 to 6 Tbsp. ice-cold water

• 7 cups fresh blueberries $

• 1/4 cup cornstarch

• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar $

• 1/2 cup sugar $

• 1/3 cup honey

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1/8 teaspoon finely ground black pepper $

• 2 tablespoons butter, cut into 1/4-inch cubes $

Melon-and-Mozzarella Salad• 3 cups peeled, coarsely chopped fresh

peaches (about 1 1/2 lb.)

• 1 (8-oz.) tub fresh small mozzarella cheese balls, cut in half

• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

• 3/4 cup Lemon-Poppy Seed Dressing

• 4 cups seeded and cubed watermelon

• 4 cups cubed honeydew melon

• 3 cups sliced fresh strawberries

• 2 cups seedless green grapes, cut in half

• Garnishes: fresh raspberries, mint leaves

Creamy Strawberry-Mint Pie• 1/2 (18-oz.) package reduced-fat

cream-filled chocolate sandwich cookies (about 22 cookies) $

• 2 tablespoons butter, melted $

• 1 qt. fat-free or low-fat strawberry frozen yogurt $

• 1 (16-oz.) package fresh strawberries, hulled $

• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar $

• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint

• Garnishes: fresh strawberry slices, edible flowers, Strawberry Sauce

Chilled Blueberry Soup• 4 cups fresh blueberries $

• 1 cup orange juice $

• 1/2 cup sugar $

• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1/8 teaspoon salt $

• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice $

• 1 pint half-and-half

• Garnish: mint sprigs

Goat Cheese Cheesecakes with Summer Berries

• 1 cup graham cracker crumbs

• 4 tablespoons melted butter

• 1 tablespoon sugar

• Pinch of salt

• 1 (0.25-oz.) envelope unflavored gelatin

• 1/3 cup milk

• 1/2 (8-oz.) package cream cheese, softened

• 1 (4-oz.) goat cheese log

• 1/3 cup sugar

• 2 teaspoons lemon zest

• Pinch of salt

• 1 1/4 cups heavy cream

• Summer Berries

Blueberry Salsa• 2 cups coarsely chopped fresh

blueberries $

• 1 cup whole fresh blueberries $

• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice $

• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro $

• 2 jalapeño peppers, seeded and minced

• 1/3 cup diced red bell pepper $

• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Berry Delicious Summer Salad

• 8 cups mixed salad greens

• 2 cups fresh blueberries

• 1/2 cup crumbled Gorgonzola or blue cheese

• 1/4 cup chopped and toasted walnuts or pecans

• Bottled vinaigrette

Strawberry Sparkler

• 1 (10-ounce) package frozen strawberries, thawed

• 2 cups cranberry juice, chilled

• 1 (750-milliliter) bottle champagne, chilled

Strawberry-Turkey-Brie Panini• 1 (8-oz.) Brie round

• 8 Italian bread slices

• 8 ounces thinly sliced smoked turkey

• 8 fresh basil leaves

• 1/2 cup sliced fresh strawberries

• 2 tablespoons red pepper jelly

• 2 tablespoons butter, melted

• Garnish: strawberry halves

Double Berry Freezer Jam

• 4 cups fresh whole blueberries

• 3 cups fresh strawberries

• 1 1/2 cups sugar

• 1 (1.59-oz.) envelope freezer jam pectin