Sweet & Savory Tuesday ~~ Blueberry Swirl

I'm showcasing another family favorite of the dessert variety on this Sweet & Savory Tuesday. The reason I typically prepare this one in a 9 x 13 disposable container is that our guests usually eat everything but the container! So, here goes:

STEP ONE:

Blend the following ingredients together, press into a 9 x 13 inch pan, and chill in freezer for one hour or refrigerator for two hours.

• 1 1/4 cups crushed graham crackers
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• Mix the graham cracker crumbs and sugar together before adding the melted butter
• 1/3 cup butter, melted

STEP TWO:

Blend the following ingredients together with a mixer, and spread over the graham cracker crust.

• 1 - 8 oz. container Cool Whip or prepared package of Dream Whip
• 1 - 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• 1 cup powdered (confectioner's) suger

STEP THREE:

Cover with one large can of blueberry pie filling or flavor of your choice.  I have tried the raspberry and cherry pie fillings before, but our family happens to prefer the blueberry the best!

PREPARATION TIPS:

If you prefer to use whole graham crackers or don't happen to have any graham cracker crumbs on hand, lay whole crackers between two sheets of waxed paper.  Use your rolling pin to crush the crackers into crumbs.

HEALTH TIPS:

There have been many articles written about the health benefits of blueberries. Granted, marrying the berries with the remainder of the ingredients in this recipe might negate a few of the benefits.  It's okay to indulge every once in awhile, especially during family celebrations.  Here's one link regarding the benies of blueberries: https://authoritynutrition.com/10-proven-benefits-of-blueberries/

Here's to happy dining & enjoying family favorites!

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Sweet & Savory Thursday ~~ Breakfast In A Pint Jar

                                                   
                                                          BREAKFAST IN A PINT JAR


INGREDIENTS:

• 1/2 cup uncooked rolled oats - non instant variety
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 and 1/2 tsp. chia seeds
• cut up fruit of your choice such as 5 prunes
• additional 1/4 cup fruit such as blueberries
• 1/4 cup yogurt
• 3/4 cup water OR 1 cup milk
• 1/2 tsp. honey
• 1 Tbsp. olive oil

DIRECTIONS:

• Stir the oatmeal, cinnamon, and chia seeds together in bottom of jar.
• Layer the remainder of the ingredients in pint jar in above-listed order.
• Stir all ingredients inside jar before placing in refrigerator in order to get the olive oil thoroughly mixed into the other ingredients.
• Refrigerate overnight.

HELPFUL HINTS & SUGGESTIONS:

• The chia seeds will expand a little bit during the refrigeration process.
• You won't be able to taste the olive oil when eating this oatmeal concoction.
• It is usually the perfect consistency when you open the jar the next morning and prepare to eat your breakfast.
• The oatmeal does its magic inside the pint jar overnight in the refrigerator as it absorbs either the milk or the water.

The above picture reflects what the refrigerated mixture looks like the next morning when you prepare to enjoy your breakfast!

This recipe is taken from the official Sheila Fabulous Collection.

Happy Reading & Healthy Eating!

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Sweet & Savory Friday ~~ Blackberry Crisp

Blackberry Crisp

Ingredients:

• 2 - 1 lb. bags of frozen berries or 6 cups fresh berries                 
• 2 cups brown sugar                                                                        
• 2 cups oatmeal  (not the quick cooking variety)                                                                         
• 2 cups white flour
• 1 tsp. salt, optional
• 2 tsp. cinnamon
• 2 sticks butter (1 cup)

Directions:

• Spray a 10 inch pie plate or a 9 x 9 inch square baking pan lightly with cooking spray. 
• Place berries in pan.  
• Mix dry ingredients in a bowl and blend in butter with a fork or pastry blender.
• When mixture is crumbly, spread it thickly over the berries. 
• Bake at 425 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until hot and topping is browned.

Helpful Hints:

Serves 6 and can be easily doubled.  Blackberries may be substituted with a variety of other fruit or berries.  I have an old 10 inch round Corning Ware® oven pan with 2 inch sides that I use to make this recipe and it works very well.  Since I like to make it with a lot of “topping”, I use a pan with “tall enough sideboards”, so to speak, so that when the crumble mixture is initially placed on top and before it sinks down a bit during the cooking process, it does not fall over the sides of the cooking container and onto the counter.

Serve warm with Cool Whip® or ice cream!  Enjoy!  

From the Official Recipe Collection of “Sheila Fabulous”

I would enjoy hearing from you if you try the recipe and like it or if you have a variation of this same basic recipe with some other helpful hints!

Happy Reading & Eating.

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