Blueberries are one of the best things about summer. I love them in pies, cakes and muffins. This year I am going to try a salad I saw last year at Wegmans--blueberries, feta, cucumbers. But I need fresh produce all around for this, and the really good Bulgarian feta I get at the local greengrocer. 3 cucumbers, peeled, halved lengthwise, seeded and sliced thinly (half moon shape) (about 4 cups) 1 pint (2 cups) blueberries, rinsed and picked over Salt and pepper to taste 1/2 cup Wegmans White Balsamic Vinaigrette (Produce Dept) 3 Tbsp thinly sliced Fresh Mint Leaves 1 cup (about 1/4 lb) Crumbled Feta Cheese Combine and let sit for about 45 min. at least for flavors to blend. I also like to make blueberry preserves, which are the best way to perserve the fresh taste of summer berries. I just don't think frozen berries cut it, but I have never frozen my own, only had store bought ones. Blueberry Lime Jam (from the "Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving") 4 1/2 cups crushed blueberries (leave some whole for fun) Grated zest and juice of one large lime 1 package regular powdered fruit pectin 5 cups granulated sugar Prepare canning jars and lids by washing and boiling them for 10 min. Keep them hot for filling. This recipe makes six 8 oz. jars. In a large flat bottomed pot, combine the berries, pectin and lime. Stir until pectin dissolves and bring to a boil over high heat. Add sugar all at once and return to a full rolling boil. Boil for one minute, stirring constantly. Turn off the heat and ladle the jam into the empty jars. Leave 1/4 inch headspace. Put lids on, make sure rims are clean before you do this. Seal the jars and process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes. Allow water to cool down for 5 min. then remove jars. This is to prevent heat shock which could crack the jars, but with this heat wave we're having, it shouldn't be a problem, lol! You can also add 2 TBLSP Frangelico to the jam, or put half the jam into jars and then add 1 TBLSP liquer to the remainder. Could also use orange zest and juice and Cointreau or Triple Sec., or lemon and Limoncello, but I actually just prefer plain old blueberry lime--YUM!

Bamia (sweet & sour okra) 1 lb small okra pods 2 tbls EVOO 1 tbls honey Salt & pepper to taste 1 tbls lime juice ½ cup water Wash okra and pat dry. Top and tail it, discarding any blemished or hard pods Heat the oil in a heavy saucepan and sauté okra 3-5 minutes, turning each pod once. Add the honey, salt, pepper, lemon juice and water. Cover, lower heat, and simmer 15 minutes, adding more water if necessary, until pods are tender. Source: Traditional Egyptian dish. Stewed Chickpeas & Okra 2 tbls oil 1 cup okra in ½-inch slices ½ cup chopped onion ½ cup chopped green pepper 1 can (14 ½ oz) diced tomatoes ¼ tsp oregano ¼ tsp ground cumin 1/8 tsp salt 1/8 tsp red pepper 1 cup cooked or canned chickpeas Heat oil over medium high heat in saucepan. Add the okra, onion, and bell pepper and cook, stirring, until softened. Stir in the tomatoes. Add the spices. Stir in the chickpeas, bring to boil, lower the heat and simmer, uncovered, ten minutes. Source: "Wholesome Harvest" Okra Crustini 12-15 okra, sliced 6 garlic cloves, minced 2-4 paste tomatoes, diced handful basil, chopped white wine salt & pepper to taste Olive oil French bread Diagonally cut French bread about 3/8 inch thick. Brush with olive oil and toast both sides, preferably over a charcoal fire; of in the broiler. Saute okra in olive oil, 3-4 minutes, then add garlic and continue cooking until garlic just turns golden. Add tomatoes and a dash of white wine. Add salt & pepper. When juices start to flow add the basil. Cook until tomatoes have fully softened and their juice combines with the okra. Pile the mixture on the toasted bread slices. Source: Original recipe. Bhindi Bharwan (Indian Stuffed Okra) 1 lb okra* 3 tbls oil 1 tsp cumin seeds 1 med onion, chopped 2 green chilies, seeded & chopped ¾ inch ginger, finely chopped 1 tomato, chopped stuffing: 3 tsp ground coriander 2 tsp ground tumeric 2 tsp ground fennel seed 2 tsp Amchur (dried mango powder) 1 tsp cayenne ½ tsp salt Cut the stalk off each okra pod and make a lengthwise slit. Combine stuffing ingredients and mix well. Stuff each pod with the mixture. Saute cumin with a little oil until it starts to crackle. Add onion, chilies, and ginger and sauté until the onion turns transparent. Add tomato and cook until it turns pulpy. Add the okra and cook for 5 minutes until tender and well coated with the sauce. Serve with rice. *Zucchini or other summer squash can be substituted. Source: "The Food of Asia"

Must be a good year for Blueberries. Plenty available and good prices. After you make the BBCrisp and want to try something else, make this: BLUEBERRY BUTTERMILK CAKE *** * 1 cup all-purpose flour * 1/2 teaspoon baking powder * 1/2 teaspoon baking soda * 1/4 teaspoon salt * 1/2 stick unsalted butter, softened * 2/3 cup plus 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar, divided * 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract * 1 large egg * 1/2 cup well-shaken buttermilk * 1 cup fresh blueberries (about 5 oz) Preheat oven to 400°F with rack in middle. Butter and flour a 9-inch round cake pan. * Or 9inch square pan. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Beat butter and 2/3 cup sugar with an electric mixer at medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, about 2 minutes, then beat in vanilla. Add egg and beat well. At low speed, mix in flour mixture in 3 batches, alternating with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour, and mixing until just combined. Spoon batter into cake pan, smoothing top. Scatter berries evenly over top and sprinkle with remaining 1 1/2 Tbsp sugar. Bake until cake is golden and a wooden pick inserted into center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool in pan 10 minutes, then turn out onto a rack and cool to warm, 10 to 15 minutes more. Invert onto a plate. ***I changed the name to BB Breakfast Cake because I found it makes a tasty quick breakfast. After baking I slice it and keep in a Tupperware container in the fridge. Give a slice a couple seconds in the MW and it is gooood. I'm going to try Marygailey's BB Crisp. I still have a lot of BB's. Note to Self: put Mayo on shopping list, almost out; put VANILLA IC on same list. Sue

This was my dad's favorite Holiday salad.His mother use to make it for him every Christmas.A little different but so good. MaMaw's Fruit Salad Dressing Make this first or it can be made ahead of time and refrigerated in a covered container for several days. In a medium sauce pan mix together: 1/4 C. granulated sugar 2/3 C. cold water 1/4 C. white vinegar 3 T. fresh squeezed lemon juice 1 tsp. vanilla flavoring Dash of salt Bring to a boil over medium heat and stir until sugar is dissolved.Cook 5 minutes,reduce heat. Whisk 4 egg yolks until smooth and creamy.Slowly add the egg yolks to the liquid mixture,whisking constantly until the eggs are incorporated into the mixture.Cook 5 more minutes,whisking constantly.Set aside and cool to room temperature.Mixture will thicken slightly as it cools. Mix together in a large bowl: 4 C. slightly ripe bananas,diced.Extra ripe ones don't work in this salad. 4 C. Golden Delicious apples,peeled and diced.You can use any crisp,sweet apple. 3-4 stalks celery,chopped in small pieces. 1 C. broken pecan or walnut pieces Pour the dressing over the above ingredients and mix well so the fruit won't turn dark.Chill several hours before serving.You can also add pineapple chunks or tidbits,miniature marshmallows,maraschino cherries if desired but it is wonderful just as it is.