Head out into your local parks and hedgerows and you will find them are brimming with dark, ripe blackberries just crying out to be picked.
As well as tasting delicious, they are at their best in early to mid September, blackberries are a good source of Vitamin C, as well as dietary fibre which is found in the tiny seeds.
As well as munching as you pick, you can also use this much-loved fruit in jelly, jam, compote, tarts, pies, crumbles and we have a couple of ideas too.
Banana and Blackberry Overnight Oats
This is basic breakfast with a seasonal twist that is easy to make and perfect for any day of the week.
You will need
1 cup fresh ripe blackberries (plus a few for topping)
1 large banana
1/2 a cup of almond milk
¼ of a teaspoon of cinnamon
½ tsp of good quality vanilla extract
½ cup of rolled oats
Extra sliced banana and blackberries for the topping
To make simply put the blackberries, banana, milk, cinnamon and vanilla in a blender and whizz until totally smooth.
Pour the mixture into a clean glass jar and stir in the oats. Cover the jar and place in the fridge overnight during which times the oats will soak up the goodness and soften. Before eating add fresh blackberries and the slice banana to the top of the oats and enjoy.
Frozen Blackberry Fool
If you want a simple, this impressive, dinner party dessert gets our vote every time.
To make six servings, you will need:
300g of fresh, ripe blackberries
The juice of one medium lemon
300ml of fresh double cream
90g of golden caster sugar
Shortbread biscuits to serve
To make these puddings, mash 80% of the blackberries with the lemon juice and half the sugar. Whip the cream together with the remaining sugar before folding the cream and blackberry mix together to make a pretty mauve concoction.
Place the resulting mixture into a freezable container and freeze until set.
When ready, put scopes of the purple pudding into clean cocktail style glasses and serve with the shortbread biscuits and remaining blackberries.
Berry Smoothie
At Pure-Beauty we love smoothies and when the fruit is seasonal and fresh, they taste even better.
For this beauty, you will need:
225g of fresh blackberries
225g of fresh strawberries
25g of fresh blueberries
1 large, ripe banana
150ml of vanilla yogurt
150ml of milk – cow or nut are both good options
Ice cubes if desired
All you have to do is place the ingredients into a food processor and blend until smooth. Pour into a tall glass and enjoy.
Got a berry recipe you love, why not share with us?
Team Pure-Beauty