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Monday, August 17, 2009

Mosaic Monday~Blackberry Heaven

Here are the beginnings of so many juicy, sweet, tart, yummy, berry goodies



Blackberry pie and blackberry jelly have always been favorites of mine. The trick is getting a hold of some ripe berries. I don't think I've ever bought blackberries....the amount you need for a pie would break the bank at grocery store prices. I've picked berries a time or two in my past, but usually depended on someone else to supply me...like my big brother Larry (Thanks Larry!) All that changed when I moved to the edge of the woods and got my very own blackberry "patch". Right now I have a seemingly endless supply, limited only by my berry picking ambition.



Of course the best berries are always just out of reach


Luckily though there are plenty that require no effort


Washington state is relatively bug and and bad snake free, so I feel pretty safe only having to dodge the occasional spider or the odd thorn prick



And the rewards are worth any minor inconvenience


All forgotten when you dig into berries transformed into tasty treats like Blackberry Pie Bars!



I found this recipe on a blog called Week of Menus and she found it on Joy the Baker who adapted it from a recipe she found in a book called The Pastry Queen by Rebecca Rather. It's made it's rounds and for good cause! I think these were better the next day..so heeding the advice at the end to wait until you cut is well worth the agony.

Blackberry Pie Bars

Crust and topping
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup cold butter, cut into cubes
zest of one lemon
pinch of salt

1. Preheat oven to 350. On a work surface (I used a cutting board), mix together the lemon zest and sugar. Using the back of a spoon or your fingers, rub the lemon zest with the sugar, thereby releasing oils from the lemon.

2. In the bowl of your mixer, dump in the flour, lemon sugar mixture, cold butter, and salt. Beat with paddle attachment until the mixture resembles crumbs. If you do not have a stand mixer, with a hand mixer beat on low until the mixture resembles crumbs.

3. Set aside 3/4 cup of the mixture for the topping. Pour the remainder into a GREASED or parchment lined 9X13 pan and use your fingertips to press the crumbs into the pan. The crumbs will gradually come together.

4. Bake the dough for 10-12 minutes (at 350) or until the crust is lightly golden. Make sure you get to the golden crust because it really adds a wonderful texture to the bar. Allow crust to cool for 10 minutes while assembling the filling.

Filling and Assembly
2 large eggs
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup all purpose flour
3 cups fresh blackberries (if using frozen, thaw and drain first)

1. Whisk together eggs, sugar, sour cream and flour in a large bowl. Add blackberries.

2. Pour blackberries over the golden baked crust and spread evenly. (This may require some proper distribution of the berries as they tend to congregate in one area.)

3. Sprinkle the remaining dough on top. Bake for 50-60 minutes at 350 until the pie bar is golden brown. Allow to cool at least 1 1/2 hours before cutting.


This is my entry for Mosaic Monday over at Little Red House. Go check out all of the other beautiful picture mosaics!

22 comments:

SavoringTime in the Kitchen said...

Oh my, I can taste them now! You are so lucky to be close to a blackberry patch like that, Suzy. Maybe you need to bring a little step stool to get to those really good ones :)

Wildflowerhouse said...

Now you have made me so hungry! Love the mosaic. Thanks for visiting mine. It was my first time at it. Sharon

Jeanne said...

Good thing I've had supper. My daughter always loved picking blackberries in the yard where we lived when she was young. Yummy mosaic!

♥peachkins♥ said...

The pie looks great but I'm super jealous about the freshly picked berries!

Kathy Walker said...

Looks wonderful and tasty! Great mosaic!

Ebie said...

Hi Suzy I have been to berry farm and what I took home was more than enough to make muffins. And they are delicious. Nothing beats farm fresh! You have quite a great harvest! Love how you arranged the mosaic.

Cass @ That Old House said...

Oh YUM....that mosaic is SOOOOO good. I have not often had blackberries but my sister in law had them growing on her property in Seattle and we picked LOTS -- fab pancakes, muffins, pies... it was heavenly.
Thanks for reminding me of how much we love blackberries!
Cass

Thoughtfully Blended Hearts said...

Love the blackberry voyage...yum.yum...this sounds so good and looks so pretty!!!

Cynthia said...

Lucky you having your own blackberry patch nearby. The possibilities are endless. They are gorgeous.

Suzy, your mosaic is HEAVENLY. I love blackberries as much as I love raspberries. Plus they're sturdier so they don't bruise as easily.

Do you see lots of birds in your blackberry patch?

Millie said...

Yummy mosaic! You asked about the name of the china on my blog, bottom left,..it is an antique Carlton flow blue, no name stamped on it.

imjacobsmom said...

That's my kind of mosaic! And if the recipe is making the rounds it's got to be good. I'm saving this one and giving it a try! ~ Robyn

Suzy said...

Thanks everybody! I just had another bar and they get better with age!

I appreciate the ID Millie, its beautiful.

Susan..trust me..the step stool has been suggested by Randy lol.

ItaJeff said...

Looks yummy! Lovely mosaic
Happy Monday
♥Ita

Jenn @ youknow... that blog? said...

Oh ho ho yummmm...

I have a very big love of berries! This is a lovely mosaic, and thanks for the recipe!

Regina said...

Love the presentations. The berries are awesome. Thank for sharing.

Kathleen said...

Oh, yummy! I would love to have a blackberry patch!
They look delicious..and with the ice cream, perfection!!

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Yum! The blackberry bars look wonderful! That has always been a favorite jam for me! Enjoy!...Debbie

cappy said...

Blackberry season is very early here in Bayou Country. It peaked back in April. We made cobblers, dumplings,pancakes and 3 gallons of very good wine out of our haul of dewberries. Suzy, ya got our mouths watering again for them. Right now in Cajun Country it's muscadine season. These yummy wild grapes are ripe and sweet now. We made 3 gallons of jelly, so if ya lucky, there may be some left for your next visit. After the failure of our last care package we sent you guys, we are leery to try again.
Miss yall Coozan :-)

Foley said...

I don;t need blackberries baked into anything..my favorite way to enjoy them is by the "handful" !! The bars do look delicious though..love the mosaic!!

Mary said...

Wow, does that ever look delicious!!! Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful creation at Mosaic Monday. :)

Marsha said...

What a lucky gal indeed to live in blackberry heaven! Are they still producing?

Marsha said...

What a lucky gal indeed to live in blackberry heaven! Are they still producing?

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