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Sweet Potato Salmon with Wild Blueberry & Basil Compote

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Sweet Potato Salmon with Wild Blueberry & Basil Compote

Chef Alain Bosse, The Kilted Chef
A sweet and aromatic dinner that uses salmon, wild blueberries and sweet potato. A quick dish that tastes like you've been working on it for hours!
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Servings 2 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 2 salmon fillets 6-8 oz
  • ½ lemon juiced
  • 2 sweet potatoes cooked and mashed
  • ¼ cup maple syrup
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 2 tbsp pumpkin seeds
  • drizzle of olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Wild Blueberry & Basil Compote

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 cups wild blueberries
  • 1 shallot diced
  • 1 green onion diced
  • ¼ cup white wine
  • ½ tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 2 tbsp basil chopped

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C).
  • Place the salmon fillets on a parchment-lined baking sheet, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and squeeze the lemon.
  • Mash the sweet potatoes, add the maple syrup and butter, along with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Divide sweet potatoes between the two salmon fillets.
  • Divide pumpkin seeds between the two servings, and drizzle with olive oil.
  • Place in the oven for 15 minutes.
  • Top with the wild blueberry and basil compote to serve.

Wild Blueberry and Basil Compote

  • Heat olive oil over medium-high heat, and add the blueberries. Using the back of a spoon, crush some of the berries so they release their juice.
  • Add shallots and green onions, and cook for 3-4 minutes.
  • Add Dijon mustard and white wine, stir to combine.
  • Allow compote to reduce by a quarter, and then stir in the basil.
  • Finish with salt, pepper and butter.

 

Wild Blueberry Grunt

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Wild Blueberry Grunt

Chef Alain Bosse, The Kilted Chef
A Nova Scotian classic, this tangy and sweet treat is a great dessert no matter what the season.
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Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups wild blueberries
  • 1 cup sugar
  • ¼ cup maple syrup
  • 2 limes juiced
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp nutmeg
  • 2 cups flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ cup sugar
  • ½ cup frozen butter, grated
  • 1 cup buttermilk

Instructions
 

  • Place the blueberries along with the sugar, water, lime juice, and spices into a preheated cast iron or enamel pot with a lid. Cover and place over medium-high heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until the juices have been released and a jam consistency has been reached.
  • Combine the biscuit ingredients and mix to form a soft dough. Drop the dough into the blueberry mixture using a 2 oz (57g) scoop.
    Cover and let set for 10 to 12 minutes or until the biscuits are no longer wet.
  • Serve with whipped cream and vanilla ice cream.
Keyword dessert

7 Unique Ways to Enjoy Wild Blueberries

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Do you like eating wild blueberries all year long? It can be hard to come by {affordable} fresh fruit during the colder months when fresh produce isn’t as readily available in Canada. Fresh wild blueberries are even more difficult to come by, as the season is short, and with a short shelf life, wild blueberries don’t stay fresh for long.  

Of course, our wild blueberry producers are clever. Because they know that we love our blueberries all year round, there have been some incredibly innovative ways of ensuring that we get the super fruit that we love whenever we want it! There are many different ways that wild blueberries can be enjoyed, some of which may be very surprising!

 

7 Unique Ways to Enjoy Wild Blueberries

 

Fresh: 

Obviously this is going to be first on our list. There’s nothing quite like eating wild blueberries straight from the bush. You can get wild blueberries fresh during the harvest season (typically late August to mid September) off of wild blueberry bushes, u-Pick farms, or your local grocery store. Fresh wild blueberries can be used in a large variety of ways, including baking, cooking, sauces, snacking (fresh), and so on. 

 

frozen wild blueberries

Frozen: 

If you’ve been following Canadian Wild Blueberries for any amount of time, you’ll know that frozen wild blueberries is the most accessible form. All Canadian wild blueberries are put through a process called IQF, or better known as Individually Quick Frozen, within 24 hours of being picked. This preserves their nutritional value, their colour, and taste. Many different brands throughout Canada (and around the world) carry wild blueberries that are IQF, and likely can be found in the frozen goods section of your local grocery store. 

 

Pureed: 

Did you know that wild blueberries are sold as purees? Whether canned or frozen, pureed wild blueberries are used around the world! They can be used as pure ingredients in a sorbet or ice cream, or to be used in cocktails or other drinks. Wild blueberry puree is incredibly useful, as well as being incredibly versatile. 

Juiced: 

As the heading suggests, juiced pure wild blueberries are great for drinking (did you know that wild blueberries have tannins that help prevent bladder and urinary tract infections?), being reduced into a syrup, drizzling over ice cream, or adding to sparkling water for a refreshing drink. In Nova Scotia, one of the most well-known brands of wild blueberry juice is certainly Van Dyk’s Pure Wild Blueberry Juice! 

 

Powdered: 

Wait, what? Yes, it’s true – you can get pure wild blueberries in a powdered form! This is incredibly handy for baking, mixes, adding to smoothies, and much more! It holds every bit of the tart and refreshing flavour that we love from the wild blueberry, while allowing for us to enjoy them in a very different way! 

 

Dried:

Most of us have heard of dried grapes (raisins), cranberries (craisins) and so on. But have you heard of dried blueberries? There are typically two different forms of dried blueberries – chewy and crunchy! Next time you’re looking for something to nibble on, ditch the chips and go for some crunchy dried wild blueberries instead! 

 

Canned:

Of course, we would be remiss if we failed to mention canned wild blueberries. It’s a great way to preserve them, ensuring you can enjoy them all year long. Canning them in water, a light syrup or even pickling them (yes, it’s true! Here’s a recipe on how to make fridge pickle wild blueberries) allows for a longer shelf life, as well as creating some variety in ways to use your wild blueberries!

 

 

As you can see, these powerful little superfruits can be enjoyed in many different ways and in every season. Why not try some of the different ways to enjoy wild blueberries today? You never know – you may find a new favourite! 

Choco-Cherry-Berry Smoothie

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Choco-Cherry-Berry Smoothie

Sara MacIsaac
A delicious start to your day can be found right here. While sweet, there is no added sugar to this antioxidant-rich breakfast!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Servings 1

Equipment

  • blender

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup frozen wild blueberries
  • 1/4 cup frozen plums
  • 1/4 cup frozen mixed berries (ie. blackberries, currants, raspberries)
  • 2 tbsp cacao nibs
  • 1 cup milk (cow, goat, soy, coconut)

Optional add-ins

  • 2 tbsp chia seeds
  • 1 cup fresh baby spinach
  • 1 serving protein powder
  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 tbsp ground flax

Instructions
 

  • Add all of the ingredients to a high-powered blender, blend until smooth, and enjoy!
Keyword blueberry smoothie, breakfast, healthy eats, smoothie

9 Uniquely Blue Gift Ideas

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9 Uniquely Blue Gift Ideas

Though the traditional gift giving season may be over, that doesn’t mean gift buying is out! Whether you’re an eager beaver and are getting ahead of the crowds for next year’s holiday celebrations, or a special occasion is coming up, a gift guide is never out of style. As the Canadian Wild Blueberry Association, we love that Canadians love to support other Canadians. Did you know that by supporting businesses that use Canadian wild blueberries, you’re supporting your Canadian blueberry farmers? So we thought we would create a list of 9 Wild Blueberry Gift Ideas for you to consider during your next gift giving opportunity! 

 

Bonne Maman Jams

If you’re looking for some tasty treats to pass around at your next pandemic-approved event, Bonne Maman has created beautiful and artistic gift boxes filled with delicious jams, jellies, and compotes! These are usually quick selling, so you’d better hurry to get your hands on one before they’re gone. 

You can find these online, Costco, IGA, and other specialty shops.

Celestial Seasonings

For the tea-lovers in your life, consider Celestial Seasonings “True Blueberry Herbal Tea” – a fragrant taste of the wild blueberry that you know and love! Give it with a new mug, or the box itself with an ice cube tray, this gift can be used all year ‘round, and is an incredibly versatile product to round out your gift-giving! 

Many supermarkets (such as Walmart Supercenter, Giant Tiger, Sobeys and Superstore) carry Celestial Seasonings tea, though they may not carry the True Blueberry. Talk to your local supermarket today! 

 

Chudleigh’s

Based in Ontario, Chudleigh’s carries a mouth-watering assortment of goods. From pies to jams, salsa to cider, there is something for everyone! Currently, they are offering a Jam Holiday Gift Box (which is ON SALE right now!) that includes a jar of wild blueberry-wild raspberry jam that we’re dying to try.

As always, these can be ordered online, or you can find them at most local supermarkets including Costco, Giant Tiger, Loblaws, Wholesale Club, and more.

 

Farmer’s Dairy

Perhaps one of the best in-home date nights involve a blanket, a movie, and a bucket of ice cream. Give the gift of YUM, along with a tub of Farmer’s Oxford Blueberries and Cream Ice Cream! Made with 100% Canadian milk, and 100% Canadian Wild Blueberries, you can feel VERY sure that you’re supporting local, all the while enjoying a spoonful (or more) of delicious dairy.

Found at all major grocery retailers in Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador. 

 

Jamieson

That’s right, Jamieson (the brand known for vitamins and probiotics) also incorporates wild blueberries in their products! Thinking about giving the gift of nutrition this year? Consider some chewable Vitamin B in a health and wellness gift basket (hey, you could throw some Celestial Seasonings tea in there, too!)!

Found at most major retailers and pharmacies in Canada.

 

Nature’s Path

We love Nature’s Path for a variety of reasons, not the least of which the fact that they are all about whole grains, healthy eating, and healthy living (especially on the go). So for the one who never has time for breakfast in your life, consider slipping a box of these Sunrise Blueberry Chia Breakfast Biscuits in their gift basket this year! They’ll be thanking you as they run out the door, biscuits in hand!

Found at most major grocery stores.

Pepper North

Have a hot-sauce lover on your hands? Awesome. Take a peek at Pepper North’s Blueberry Plague hot sauce. With a heat index of 7/10, this spicy treat has strong notes of wild blueberries, Trinidad scorpion peppers, wild honey, and red habanero peppers. 

Pepper North products can be found at Loblaws, Sobeys, Amazon, Superstore, Highland Farms, and more.

 

St.Dalfour

Wanting a French take on a wild blueberry jam? Head over to St. Dalfour! After sending Canadian wild blueberries to France, St. Dalfour creates a delicious jam and sends it right back for all of us to enjoy.

These products can be found at Loblaws, Sobeys, IGA, Foodland, and more. 

 

Van Dyk’s 

Offering delicious pure wild blueberry juice isn’t the only thing that Van Dyk’s are known for! They produce a number of delicious products, and are now offering gift baskets with a delightful combination of their most popular products! 

These products can be purchased online, at most quality and health food stores across Canada, including Loblaws, Sobeys, Pharmasave, among many, many more. 

 

 

There are so many different kinds of gifts you can give; food baskets, health and wellness themed boxes, charcuterie boards (these have been incredibly popular) and so much more. Why not consider adding some Canadian Wild Blueberries to the mix? Not only will you be supporting Canadian wild blueberry farmers, you’ll be putting a smile on your recipient’s face as well!