Berry Recipes

A Berry Good Idea

Vegetables may be traditional side dishes, but choosing berries instead creates a surprising alternative that will delight diners. While most people are familiar with common berries, there are many varieties to choose from, including:

• Strawberries
• Blueberries
• Blackberries
• Raspberries
• Boysenberries
• Huckleberries
• Cranberries
• Gooseberries
• Currants

Berry side dishes may be single servings of one berry, combinations of several berries, or vegetable dishes that are uniquely seasoned by complementary berries for a startling sweet dish. By choosing berries, chefs can reap the benefits of natural sweetness, take advantage of seasonal favorites, and encourage healthier eating by offering dishes made with a variety of nutritious ingredients.

Berry Side Dish Tips

While berries may seem simple to prepare for a variety of side dishes, they are actually very sensitive fruits and cooks must take great care to create the best possible dishes. Fresh berries should be firm, consistently colored, and fragrant, but they should be used quickly as most berries decay rapidly. If the berry recipe calls for slicing, chunking, or mashing the berries, it is best to manipulate the fruit as little as possible to avoid breaking down the berries’ structure and making them softer than desired. Only use frozen berries if they are specifically called for in the recipe or recommended as an alternative – the freezing process not only breaks down the berries’ firmness, but it adds excessive and potentially unwelcome moisture. When finishing the dish, consider reserving enough whole berries to serve as a sophisticated garnish.

Delicious and colorful, berry side dishes are a creative and unusual alternative to traditional menus, perfect for sweet summer meals or any unique meal.