No drink has assumed such exclusive ownership of the holiday season the way eggnog has. Its beloved rich taste is suitable for high society, and no wonder. Historically, eggnog was a drink for the aristocracy, since only they had copious amounts of dairy and eggs from their expansive farms along with a way to refrigerate them. Even today, a sip of eggnog during the holidays makes you feel a little opulent.
It can also warm your cockles, thanks to its boozy embellishments. Traditionally made with liquor, eggnog can contain brandy, rum, whiskey or bourbon, or sometimes a combination of these. Alton Brown’s eggnog recipe uses only bourbon, while Martha Stewart recommends bourbon, dark rum and cognac. But non-alcoholic eggnog loses virtually nothing in translation. You don’t have to stop with drinking it, either. Eggnog is a shoe-in for holiday treats like creme brulee and bread.
However, if your familiarity with eggnog is limited to opening a carton, you don’t know real eggnog, says Time Magazine in their Brief History of Eggnog. According to the article, “Sugar-laced supermarket versions can’t hold a candle to the homemade goodness, especially since the US Food and Drug Administration permits that the drink can be made from as little as 1% egg yolk. That often borders on “milknog” or egg flavoring.”
So, if you are after the real eggnog, it is imperative that you find some farm-fresh eggs and make your own. While usually made with sugar, eggs and milk (along with some spices) some recipes use cream to make their nog even richer. Of course, calories in eggnog can be sky-high, especially with the added alcohol. If you are using cream, indulge and still be sociable without glugging an eight-ounce glass. Opt for a shot glass or espresso cup just to get the taste, then move to something else less filling. Other health-wise alternatives include using low-fat, soy, or rice milk.
Day 2: Wild Blue Eggnog
Blueberries provide the inspiration for many holiday drinks, and eggnog is a perfect foil for the festive fruit. There are plenty of ways to add the thrill of wild blueberries to your eggnog.
This recipe from epicurious.com uses frozen blues boiled and made into a puree for a wonderful blue take on the classic recipe. They recommend biscotti as a delicious accompaniment.
Other more conservative nods to blue include adding a few semi-frozen berries swirled into the glass to create a beautiful swish of blue, followed by cream topped with a few more on the top. Or, instead of a sprinkle of nutmeg, use a sprinkle of colored sugar—in blue. It’s a wonderful way to pay homage to a superfruit.
To your health!
More Eggnog Recipes
You can find just the right eggnog recipe to suit at Eggnogaholic.com.
The stockings have been hung, the cards have been delivered. Christmas morning signals, among other things, an end to the chaos. It conjures a house filled with torn tissue paper, strewn boxes, and children dressed in pajamas busying themselves with gifts. Alongside them, weary parents remind them to pause for a moment and eat breakfast.
Wild Blueberry Pancakes are made for Christmas morning. They are comforting and indulgently sweet, and they invite family members to hover around a griddle. They also require a little more time than most run-of-the-mill mornings have to give. For many, December 25th is the one chance they’ll get to sit down and share a morning meal, and pancakes in classic wild blueberry style fit the bill.
Day 4: Blueberry Pancake BreakfastThere are blitzes, coffee cakes, and scones, and all do their part to showcase this little blue fruit. But breakfast is for pancakes, after all. When it comes to delicious, the taste of those tender disks covered with syrup just can’t be replicated. Here are some options for your holiday morn:
For Day 6 of our 12 Wild Days of Blue Countdown, we offer up a favorite holiday recipe with a berry twist. Yes, it’s Chex® Mix, and while the snack may sound a little retrograde (according to their web site, the famed party mix has been popular for 50 years), it’s still undeniably good, especially given a contemporary twist. If handfuls of pretzels and cereal just don’t have enough ho ho ho, trade up with recipes like Cajun Kick, Lemon Rosemary Mix or White Fantasy Clusters – it’s not your grandmother’s party mix.
Is it health food? It is not. But with moderation rather than denial as your guide, you can use these tips to keep calories in check: cut the butter requirement in half (it won’t really affect the recipe) and trade out the nuts and replace them with baked crisps or fat-free bagel chips. Then, bulk up the carby mixture with healthy dried berries. It’s an ingenious way to cut the calories from the nuts and pretzels and improve the flavor. That’s why our Day 6 pick is a berry holiday Chex® mix that is easy, pleasing and, predictably, blue.
Day 6: Holiday Berry Party Mix
Start with this Sweet Party Chex® Mix with Berries, which offers sweet and salty in an addictive combination, and the addition of dried berries provide a glamorous zing of holiday color. Food.com has the recipe, which calls for a little brown sugar, nuts, pretzels, famous bite sized Chex® (both rice and corn), and 1 cup each of the following dried berries: cranberries, blueberries and cherries. It will make a holiday bowl superbly appetizing, at least until it’s empty.
If you’re seeking something with a little chocolate, Pillsbury offers Buckin’ Blueberry Chex® Mix, and this exhaustive list of recipes at Chex.com will have you mixing up Snickerdoodle, Muddy Buddy, and Chocolate Banana Nut before you can say Ebeneezer. Party on!
Books are favorite items for the holiday shopping list, and curling up with the right one is just another way to get a dose of blue this season. Day 7 of our countdown ushers in some of our favorites of the year, and adds a couple of literary wild cards for the person that has everything blue.
Day 7: Good Reads
First up, we revisit Meg Wolff’s A Life In Balance: Delicious, Plant-Based Recipes for Optimal Health (Down East Books 2010). Her latest book provides the map for starting a life of better health and nutrition based on a plant-based diet. Bright colors and a wealth of fruits and vegetable preparations will please the palate and make a major contribution to wellness and disease prevention.
Gail J. VanWart is a Maine writer who is currently the fourth generation to maintain her native wild blueberries farm in Maine. Life Raked In (Out Of The Blue, 2011) condenses such a life’s harvest into a selection of poems, recipes and thoughts on life inspired by this perspective from the fields, a unique take on the wild blueberry life.
You may know Maine writer and food aficionado Kathy Gunst from her blog or her recently published book of the same name, Notes from a Maine Kitchen from Down East Books. She takes on the seasonal bounties of Maine using the calendar as her guide. The book provides a wonderful opportunity to give the gift of regionally-inspired food made from locally-sourced ingredients.
For the person on your list who prides themselves on being just a little odd, Maine’s own humorist Tim Sample and writing partner Steve Bither reveal what’s wild and wacky about their state in this third edition of Maine Curiosities: Quirky Characters, Roadside Oddities, and Other Offbeat Stuff (Globe Pequot, 2011). One highlight includes the largest blueberry in the country, or as we fondly know it, Wild Blueberry Land in Columbia Falls, the blue geodesic dome that is part bakery and part theme-park and wholly a piece of Maine wild blueberry culture.
If putting local foods on your plate is your mission, Lisa Turner will help with Eat Local, published by Down East Books. She has collected over one hundred recipes from Maine’s top chefs, farmers, home cooks, and some from her own kitchen, including her mother-in-law’s own Blueberry Buckle – a gift of true blue.
Finally, for the last word on the contribution of this little blue fruit to our everyday lives, comes Virginia Wright’s Wild Blueberry Book from Down East Books. It’s a charming and comprehensive primer of blueberry knowledge that provides an insider look from farmers, growers, scientists, and festival workers, as well as the region’s best recipes.
A filled punch bowl is the center of a holiday spread. It beautifies a table and acts as a destination point for guests who want to try a pour for themselves. Wild blueberries work wonderfully in punch. They are not overpoweringly sweet or sour, so they provide just the right taste with a bright, colorful look. That’s why Day 8 features wild blueberries as part of this distinctively delicious delivery system that will bowl your guests over at your holiday gathering.
Day 8: Wild Blueberry Lime Punch
This Wild Blueberry Lime Punch is the definitive holiday grog. It provides a little sparkle and a little blue. Frozen wild blueberries provide the color and taste along with woodruff syrup, a popular German syrup made from woodruff that adds a fruity taste. It can be found in a well-stocked bar.
For some fabulous alternatives, you can try out these holiday punches from Martha Stewart, which include Blood-Orange Punch, Sparkling Shiraz Punch, Lemon Drop Champagne Punch, and Mulled White-Wine Sangria. Substitute blueberry juice when the recipes calls for either cranberry or pomegranate for a unique taste that is surprisingly mellow, with the alcohol or without.
What is a culinary walking tour? Nothing less than an adventure in the state’s foodiest city. The holiday season is a perfect way to explore Portland’s Old Port, a place known for its food artisans and Maine inspired-culinary delights. Whether you live in Portland, are taking a shopping trip there, or have friends and family in the area who want to explore the city where local food reigns, it’s a unique opportunity to learn more about a seaside town’s history and discover the chefs, brewers, and bakers that make it famous for eating.
Day 9: Old Port Culinary Walking Tour
December is an ideal time to uncover the food secrets lurking in the shops and fish houses of Portland. It’s decked out for Christmas, and tour spots tend to have a holiday slant to their offerings. Tours are planned through December 23, and resume on the 27, where they go through the new year.
Culinary tours can be made by trolley or by foot, but December tends to focus on foot tours. The sweet-toothed can even center their attention solely on chocolate – tours include the town of Freeport as a food tour hot spot for chocolate as well.
Are there samples? Absolutely. A culinary tour would not be the same without them. Wild blueberries make an essential appearance here – wild blueberry preserves served with a scone is a featured sampling, along with local cheeses, lobster, chocolate make with Maine potatoes, and Maine-crafted ales. That’s why an Old Port Culinary Walking Tour fits the bill for our palate-pleasing Day 9 pick for the 12 Wild Days Countdown. So put on your walking shoes and have a foodie holiday!
Don’t live in Maine? There are food tasting and cultural walking tours all around the country. Find one in your city or a city you are visiting for the holidays, and get a taste of the local offerings.
The holiday season means putting good health and nutrition on hold until January. But when you have delicious confections like those from Cranberry Island Kitchen, having a treat or two isn’t naughty. It’s very nice!
Cranberry Island Kitchen, located on Danforth Street in Portland, offers homemade gourmet baked goods with real, wholesome ingredients, including homemade butter, local eggs, and organic vanilla and spices. And, they are all wonderfully inspired by the sea.
For gifting, a stylish blue tin filled with scallop or clam shell-shaped homemade whoopee pies is a pure delight. Personalize yours by choosing your own filling – choices range from champagne to rich chocolate. Even their enchanting lobster shortbread sport a fashionable wreath during the holidays! A most satisfying catch.
Gourmet Blueberry Whoopie Pies.
Photo courtesy of Cranberry Island Kitchen.
Day 10: Gourmet Blueberry Whoopie Pies
Such exquisite Maine-inspired confections brings us to Day 10: Cranberry Island Kitchen Gourmet Blueberry Whoopie Pies.Yes, those are fresh Maine blueberries baked into the scallop-shaped butter cake and filled with a classic whoopie pie filling. Give them by the dozen – they are destined to be a Maine classic.
Maine’s wealth of balsam combined with deeply-rooted family wreath-making businesses make the state a national treasure during the season. It’s no wonder the “Wreaths Across America” program, which for the past 20 years has sponsored a nationwide effort to place fresh evergreen wreaths at the graves of fallen U.S. servicemen and women, was begun here in Harrington, Maine 20 years ago.
In December, northern Maine bustles with the business of wreaths. One well-known Maine wreath business, Whitney Wreaths, offers Spirit of Blue wreaths – not in homage to the berry, but to honor Maine servicemen, known as the men and women in blue. A portion of the proceeds goes to Spirit of Blue.
The Wild Maine Blueberry Gift Pack wreath
from Down on the Farm showcases decorative wild
blueberries and comes with Wild Maine Blueberry Truffles.
Day 11: Wild Maine Blueberry Wreath
It’s clear that when you buy a fresh evergreen wreath, you are celebrating Maine. So why not add a touch of the state’s famous fruit? No reason, says wreath businesses like Sprague Nursery in Bangor, and Wreaths of Maine in Waldoboro. But it was this wreath from Danforth, Maine’s Down on the Farm that provides our Day 11 pick: the Wild Maine Blueberry Gift Pack wreath. This handcrafted balsam fir wreath includes a choice of either Wild Maine Blueberry Truffles or a Wild Maine Blueberry assortment created by Savour Chocolatier to transform it into a unique gift package. A perfectly sweet way to add a little blue to your holiday.
We’re counting down the holidays with 12 days of pure blue!
By highlighting a wild blueberry, blueberry, or super healthy fruit-related holiday item every day until December 24th, we’re providing plenty of ways to have a Blue Christmas, Chanukah or any day that celebrates the season.
Grab the sleigh reins, Santa, because off we go!
Day 12: Winterport Winery’s Blueberry Wine
Winterport Winery a Maine winery/business located in Winterport (that’s a bit north of Bucksport) has a mouth-watering fruit wine selection that’s fitting for tasting, coiffing, or giving. They offer a selection of award-winning fruit wines with the added charm of being a family business started by owner and winemaker Michael Anderson. They specialize in wines that slant toward indigenous offerings, such as apple and blueberry flavors.
And, their interest in combining wine with food is evident in their establishment of Pairings, a joint venture with Penobscot Bay Brewery (the brewery can be found on-site) where they spread the knowledge of pairing food with wine and beer through educational seminars and tastings around the state.
Their fruit-forward choices make perfect home-grown hostess gifts for the holidays, or something special to share when the bustling is done. You might try a Sparkling Apricot Wine when you want something effervescent, or indulge in Berry Chocolate, a raspberry-blueberry wine with a velvety chocolate finish.
Our choice to kick off 12 Wild Days of Blues: Blueberry Wine (Dry). It’s one of two blueberry wines offered by the winery. This one has a cherry red color and is dry but smooth, and pairs wonderfully with a rich chicken or ham dish, pasta, or a selection of mild cheeses.
Find Winterport Wines at many local merchants, or, depending on your location, have them shipped to you or a lucky gift recipient.
The 12 Days of Blues Countdown – You Can Help! How will wild blueberries and good fruit health be part of your holiday season? Let us know and you could be part of our 12 Days of Blues Countdown to the Holidays. All you need is a great idea for how something a little bit wild and a little bit blue – whether it’s a gift idea, recipe, or any holiday inspiration – will play a part in of your holiday celebration. Then, let us know about it at editor@wildblueberries.com.
Move Over Yogurt – These Wild Blueberry Ideas Give Fruit a Whole New Meaning
“Wild blueberries? I’ll eat them with absolutely anything,” said one dyed-blue-in-the-wool Wild About Health reader. If you agree – and if by everything you mean everything, this is the post for you.
Wild blueberries lovers, these are our halcyon days. In our quest for good health, adding fruits and vegetables to our meals is high priority. Those deeply colored wild blueberries are the go-to food for enhancing our health and disease prevention efforts. They are high in antioxidants, they have a low glycemic index, and they are low in calories. They are also deliciously, complexly sweet and tangy.
As a result of the good news surrounding blueberries, specifically wild (wild offers more concentrated nutrition per berry), there’s a swell of interest in eating the fruit – but not in the traditional way. Wild blueberries are popping up in some unexpected places, and they seem to be a new mainstay in a wide array of foods, drinks, and snacks.
So, move over yogurt, step aside pancakes – we love you, but these new traditions in blues will blow your mind (without blowing your commitment to healthy eating).
7 Unusual Ways to Use Your Blues
The Blueberry Bagel Debate
A discussion of blueberry uses that are out of the ordinary must start with the Great Blueberry Bagel Debate. Loved or hated, all bagel aficionados have an opinion. On the one hand, this choice of bagel can have a tendency to be blue of hue – for some, disturbingly so. While some blueberries remain discretely nestled in the bread, others turn bagels vastly different from the expected earth tone. Depending on the maker, the blueberry bagel has been accused of being cakey, and toppings like lox and capers can seem like a difficult fit.
But for others, the delicious bagel consistency mixed with the sweetness of blues is pure breakfast food bliss, and cream cheese is the ideal pairing. It’s simply the only bagel choice for some bagel lovers, whether they have a berry affinity or not. Read more about the blueberry bagel debate. Then, go ahead and make your own homemade Blueberry Bagel, if you are so inclined.
(Nutritionally) Potent Potables
For the occasional imbiber, blueberries are a clever, inventive, multipurpose bar ingredient. Blueberries are no stranger to vodka, for example – they provide a twist to the norm with the added attraction of the “wild” mystique of their origin. Recently, jumping on the blueberry bandwagon, Hangar One announced the release of Maine Wild Blueberry Vodka. It’s a trend that may have its roots with the local Cold River Vodka, an 80-proof vodka made by steeping Wyman’s wild blueberries in alcohol for several days, then filtering it off. They use just a small amount of sugar to achieve this aromatic bouquet and subtle flavor. Try it, along with their recipe ideas, such as Blueberry Melon Martini, for yourself.
If you are looking for a unique way to use your blues, this one not only fits the bill for your kitchen, it also makes a wonderful homemade gift during the holiday season. Making blueberry vinegar is simple, and its taste and versatility pays off in spades. Blueberry Vinegar can be added to many recipes that call for vinegar to add a unique twist of flavor: try it on salads, as marinade, or have it handy to sprinkle on fish or chicken while you cook. It offers big taste at approximately 4 calories per serving, too.
This slurpable summery treat, which can also be served in winter (buy frozen wild blueberries for easy cooking), fits the bill for savory, elegant and unique. Ladle this Chilled Wild Blueberry Soup from Moveable Feasts into bowls, garnish with sour cream or crème fraîche and top with a mint leaf, and you’ve got a bowl of exquisiteness. Or try this smashing Maine Wild Blueberry Soup which calls for Pinot Noir (weigh it against Moveable Feast’s white wine) and a bit of honey.
Blueberry Swizzle Sticks
We love this idea for its creativity and for the surprising addition it provides to a drink. Wild blueberries create the basis of this swizzle stick drink stirrer that makes a fruit drink more fabulous. Assembly is simple: place blueberries on a wooden skewer and freeze. Then place them in your guests’ drinks at your next wing-ding. You can find the “recipe” here, where you’ll also find some other unique serving ideas for wild blues. They include out-of-the-ordinary notions such as crushing frozen wild blueberries into vanilla frosting to create a beautiful purple color for your cakes that amplifies the flavor and the fun. Blueberry Wine
It may not be the first thing you think of when you think of blueberries, but it’s not the last, either. Blueberry wine conjures the crush of flavorful berries and mellow, sweet subtle of flavors that makes perfect sense. If you are adept at making wine, blueberry is a particularly pleasurable option. The wine-making process can take up to several months however, so depending on your schedule, buying it might be easier.
If you are local to Maine, you might try Bartlett Winery in Gouldsboro or Blacksmith’s Winery in Casco. They both make a practice of using native fruits. Also, Maine Mead Works offers HoneyMaker Blueberry Mead made with wild blueberries and wildflower honey from Maine, which is described as having a cherry-rose color and a clean, honey-like aroma with berry notes – berry irresistible.
Hot & Spicy Sauces
This unusual marriage is made in heaven. The piquant spice of the hot pepper, matched with the sweet tang of blueberries is a taste that thrills the palate and compliments myriad foods. This hot-sweet flavor combination may sound like a one-time treat, but it can quickly become a daily delight. It works with potatoes, sandwiches, chicken, burgers, even scrambled eggs. The Sensitive Pantry has the right idea with this recipe for Blueberry Chili Hot Sauce. You can also start your culinary experimentation with this recipe from Food & Wine, or this simple, sweet Hot Spiced Blueberry Sauce that works for vanilla ice cream as well as for chicken on the barbie.
A similar taste profile can be created with a creatively unusual Blueberry Mustard, something threatening to become a table staple (see evidence here and here for starters), and no wonder. Easy to make and keep on hand for your midnight Dagwood, it’s lovely enough for a homemade Christmas gift for friends. Complete the package with your own jar and label.
Try this simple Spicy Blueberry Mustard recipe from Helium. It calls for just three ingredients: blueberries, mustard and honey…pure condiment delight.
Hungry for more?Endless Simmer will sate your appetite. They have 100 ways to use yours blues – an impressive list that we’ve referred to here before. These ideas are less unusual than they are simply fabulous. Our favorite discovery? Blueberry Mint Ice Cream Sandwiches.
It can also warm your cockles, thanks to its boozy embellishments. Traditionally made with liquor, eggnog can contain brandy, rum, whiskey or bourbon, or sometimes a combination of these. Alton Brown’s eggnog recipe uses only bourbon, while Martha Stewart recommends bourbon, dark rum and cognac. But non-alcoholic eggnog loses virtually nothing in translation. You don’t have to stop with drinking it, either. Eggnog is a shoe-in for holiday treats like creme brulee and bread.
