Tuesday, July 3, 2007

Berry Picking, Pie & Vegan Cookies

One of my favorite things to do is go berry picking. It's something that I look forward to each year. So last Saturday I dragged my hubby and son and went berry picking. We also had friends in town visiting from Boise, and they were dragged along too. Fortunately my son (who's 13), still loves picking berries. My daughter, on the other hand (who is 16 and still at camp), thinks that berry picking is one of the worst forms of torture inflicted on children.

So off we went to the West Union Gardens to fill our buckets and tummies. Their no spray berries were amazing, and just what I needed to help finish the recipes for my cookbook. The boys helped me pick about 20 pounds or so, and looked like they could have picked all day.



Here I am with my berry buckets, skipping down the path. You've got to love thorn-less berry bushes.


Then, as we were leaving, we saw the most adorable little girl, who looked like she was enjoying the berries as much as we were. We just had to snap her picture. As it turns out, this gorgeous little girl also happens to be vegan (let's hear it for healthy vegan children!). Her parents recognized me from the demo that Bryanna and I did at Vegfest. Small world.


On another note, if you happen to be in the Portland, Oregon area this Saturday (July 7th), stop by the Herbivore store at 2:00 for a vegan cookie fest.

I leave you with an easy berry pie recipe, perfect for the 4th of July. If anyone makes it, I would love to see your pictures.


Julie's Easy Berry Pie

4 cups fresh berries
1 9-inch pastry crust or crumb crust, baked and cooled (homemade or store-bought)
1 cup fresh or frozen berries
2/3 cup sugar
3 tbsp plus 1 tsp cornstarch
2/3 cup water
1 tbsp water

1. Place the 4 cups berries in cooled crust. Set aside.

2. In a medium saucepan, whisk together sugar and cornstarch. Slowly whisk in water until smooth. Stir in 1 cup fresh or frozen berries and bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring continuously. Cook and stir until mixture is thick. Continue cooking 1 more minute and remove from heat. Whisk in additional 1 tablespoon water and spoon hot topping over berries in pie shell. Let pie sit until filling is cool. Cover and refrigerate for four hours before serving.

*You can include some fresh, sliced and peeled fresh peaches for part of the 4 cups fresh berries

**If you're looking for a good store-bought vegan crust, look for the Wholly Wholesome brand. They taste great and don't have any hydrogenated oils.

11 comments:

Caty said...

The berry picking sounds like so much fun and those berries look so juicy!

I have some raspberries in the fridge at the moment so I think I might give your recipe a try tomorrow.

Vegan_Noodle said...

What yummy looking berries!! I'm not sure I would have been able to not eat everything I picked. I'll have to try out your berry pie recipe, it does sound super easy but also I'm sure it tastes wonderful with all the fresh berries that are in season now. Thanks for posting it!

hulahoopking said...

Ok, the berries look really good and I'm sure you'll do magical things with them. But the thing about this post that impressed me the most is the fact that you kids in their teens! Wow...veganism is the fountain of youth.

Vicki's Vegan Vice said...

Did you say thorn-less berry bushes?! incredible... that would make it even more enjoyable, and you could drag me along ANYTIME! :)

madeinalaska said...

yummy berries!! nice haul...
what a cute baby!!! ahhhhhh...
My little ones (5 & 6) still love to pick blue berries and well, last year my oldest (21) went along to be a good son! not one of his favorite activities. My 17 year old daughter is like yours- NO WAY MOM!!! but, she will eat them thats for sure!!

urban vegan said...

Nothing like having a direct connection to your food source. Hey--at least your kids don't think berries coem fromm the grocery store. That l'il one is berry adorable.

Carrie™ said...

No spray? Thornless bushes? Way to do berry picking Julie!! My stepdaughter (also 16) has always loved coming with us when we pick. She's got a good system down now and is the best picker of the 3 of us. Pie sounds incredible! Thank yo for sharing the recipe.

Sheree' said...

I have so many berries in my freezer. I am going to try this pie with them. Wish me luck!! Thanks for sharing the recipe. Summer time is here!!

KleoPatra said...

i love the photo of that little girl!! Such a cutie... Love summer for the fresh fruit like the berries!! Nothing says summer like raspberries, blueberries, cherries, peaches, plums and nectarines!! i dig picking berries too. A lot of effort but so worth it.

Sheree' said...

Hi Julie! I just posted my berry pie and popsicle pictures. The berry pie is delicious! Thank you so much for the recipe and the inspiration for my popsicles.

kimmykokonut said...

Hey Julie! I was trying to figure out where to pick raspberries with my almost 3! Year old and this came up on Google. Just wanted to say hi! Hope all is well over at native bowl.
Kimmykokonut