From Linda Larsen,
Your Guide to Busy Cooks.
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This is blueberry season! In Beach Boy's chat tonight, Judy asked for suggestions about using up a lot of blueberries. And I had a lightbulb moment: that's a fabulous addition to the Start With series!

Did you know that blueberries may be the healthiest food on the planet? According to World's Healthiest Foods, Tufts University did a study and concluded that these little blue berries were the most nutritious of 60 fruits and vegetables, with the most anti-oxidant capability. The 'magic ingredient' is called anthocyanidin, a compound which gives the berry its beautiful blue color.

When you're buying blueberries, be sure to choose plump berries that are deep blue and firm. I always check the bottom of the package to make sure there aren't any mushed or moldy berries lurking there. If you have blueberry bushes, the only thing you have to worry about is the birds eating them before you can harvest! My neighbors put fine mesh over their blueberry crop to keep the birds away.

Don't wash blueberries until just before you're ready to use them. If you have a bunch, freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet (this is called 'flash freezing') and then when they're frozen solid, pack them into hard sided containers.

Enjoy these blueberry recipes!

Start With ... Blueberries

• Chicken Blueberry Salad
  Lemon yogurt, tender chicken, and sweet blueberries are the ingredients for this fabulous main dish salad.
• Blueberry Muffins
  These perfect little muffins are the classic way to use blueberries. They freeze beautifully, too!
• Blueberry Cobbler
  A traditional cobbler is a wonderful way to use up a lot of blueberries.
• Blueberry Bundt Cake
  This super moist cake with the crunchy streusel topping is one of my favorites.
• Blueberry Boy Bait
  This recipe, based on a Pillsbury Bake Off winner, is a tender cake topped with blueberries and another fabulous streusel.
• Blueberry Shortbread Parfaits
  This was one of the first recipes I ever developed for Busy Cooks, and it's quite a winner. Lemon curd and blueberries: how could you go wrong?
• Blueberry Chutney
  Make a bunch of this fabulous condiment and freeze it. It's perfect stirred into sour cream for an appetizer dip with fresh fruit, or heated and poured over Brie cheese. Yum.
• Blueberry Pancakes
  Another classic blueberry recipe! Serve this one with blueberry syrup and powdered sugar.
• Blueberry French Toast Bake
  This easy make ahead brunch main dish recipe is so delicious; sweetened cream cheese and blueberries make it special.
• Blueberry Salsa
  This colorful and delicious salsa is so good for you! Make it soon!
• Raspberry Blueberry Tart
  You could use all blueberries if you'd like, in this easy and sweet tart.
• Barley Berry Salad
  Tender and nutty barley is a fabulous (and healthy!) addition to lots of berries in this sweet and creamy salad.
• Red, White, and Blue Trifle
  This gorgeous desserts is perfect all throughout the summer months.
• Patriotic Salad
  Watermelon, jicama, and blueberries are the red, white, and blue in this delicious salad.
• Frozen Berry Mousse
  This frozen souffle is made of strawberry ice cream and whipped topping, swirled with a homemade blueberry sauce and fresh raspberries.
• Fruit and Ham Chef Salad
  Blueberries and ham are a wonderful combination in this simple main dish salad recipe.
• Fruit and Cheese Salad
  This side dish salad could be served as a main course on a super hot day, with some bakery muffins or breadsticks on the side.