Blackberry Mush Recipes

EASY BLACKBERRY CHEESE DANISH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Beat cream cheese and sugar together by hand or with an electric mixer on low speed until creamy but not whipped. Add egg yolk, lemon zest, vanilla extract, and salt and stir until combined.
• Unfold puff pastry onto a lightly floured surface. Roll slightly if needed to achieve a 10-inch square. Cut into quarters. Place a heaping tablespoon of cheese filling into the center of each square. Add 2 blackberries to each square on top of the cheese filling.
• Beat egg white and water together in a bowl. Brush the edges of each square with egg wash. Bring opposite corners together at the center, being careful to pinch the ends together to ensure a good seal. Repeat with the other corners to guarantee filling doesn't fall out. Repeat this process with remaining squares.
• Brush the tops of the pastries with more egg wash and place on the prepared baking sheet. Let rest in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.
• Bake in the preheated oven until browned and puffed, about 20 minutes.

FIVE-SPICE DUCK BREAST WITH BLACKBERRIES

Steps:

• Trim duck breasts as necessary, removing extraneous fat or gristle. Score the skin side of the breast diagonally with a sharp knife.
• Season both sides of the duck breasts with salt, then sprinkle both sides evenly with five-spice powder. Mix together ginger and garlic and use it to slather the breasts. Cover and let marinate for 30 minutes at room temperature. (Alternatively, wrap and refrigerate for several hours, or even overnight; bring back to room temperature before cooking.)
• Place a cast-iron pan over medium-high heat. When pan is hot, lay duck breast in it skin-side down. Let sizzle gently for 7 minutes, until skin is crisp and golden, adjusting heat as necessary to keep from getting too dark too quickly. Turn breast over and cook 3 to 5 minutes more. An instant-read thermometer should register 125 degrees for medium rare. Remove from pan and let rest for 10 minutes on a warm plate. Drain fat from pan (reserve for another use if you wish).
• Make the sauce: Over medium heat, add shallots to same pan and cook until softened, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add sherry vinegar, brown sugar and half the blackberries, stirring until sugar is dissolved and berries have released their juice. Add chicken broth, raise heat and simmer rapidly until liquid is reduced by half and a bit syrupy. Strain the contents of the skillet into a small saucepan and keep warm.
• To serve, slice duck breast thinly across the grain on a diagonal and arrange on a platter. Spoon the sauce over the meat and garnish with the rest of the blackberries.

CORNMEAL MUSH

Steps:

• Mix together cornmeal, water, and salt in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until mixture thickens, about 5 to 7 minutes.
• If using as cereal, spoon mush into bowls and serve with milk and sugar, if desired. If frying, pour mixture into a loaf pan and chill completely. Remove from pan, cut into slices, and fry in a small amount of oil over medium-high heat until browned on both sides. Serve with sauce of your choice.

BLACKBERRY JELLY

Steps:

• FOR JUICE: Lightly mash berries and cook in water on top of stove for about 20 mins over medium/med high heat.
• FOR JELLY: Strain berries through cheesecloth, wire mesh strainer or sieve. SAVE JUICE! Discard berries and seeds.
• Measure sugar exactly. (do not reduce or use sugar substitute) Set aside.
• Measure juice exactly. Place juice and pectin in a 6 to 8 quart sauce pot. Add butter now (if using) to reduce foaming.
• Bring mixture to FULL ROLLING BOIL (a boil that does not stop bubbling when stirred) on high heat, STIRRING CONSTANTLY!
• Stir in all of sugar. Return to rolling boil and boil exactly one minute, Stirring constantly.
• Remove from heat and skim off any foam.
• Quickly ladle into prepared jars, within 1/8 inch of top. Wipe jar rims and threads with damp cloth. Cover with two piece lids. Screw on tightly.
• Process in a hot water bath for 5 mins or use the inversion method.
• NOTE: All instructions are included with pectin.
• Save any left over juice for a second batch! Can add up to 1/2 cup of water to juice if needed to make exact measurement.
• Have fun and enjoy!

BLACKBERRY DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, combine the blackberries, 1 cup sugar, 1/4 teaspoon salt and lemon extract. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes., Meanwhile, in a bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, nutmeg and remaining sugar and salt. Add milk; stir just until mixed. (Dough will be very thick.), Drop by tablespoonfuls into 6 mounds onto hot blackberry mixture; cover tightly and simmer for 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in a dumpling comes out clean. , Spoon into serving dishes. Serve with cream or whipped cream if desired.