Blackberries {part 2}

{cooking}

Here are some more ideas of yummy things to make with {fresh picked} blackberries.

Blackberries, Chicken, and Brie (or Baby Swiss) Paninis:

 For each sandwich:
2 slices of good white bread (bakery bread is best)
thick sliced chicken breast
2-3 slices THINLY sliced brie (they do make "slicing brie" which comes in a log but I have a horrible time finding it in our area lately so I usually just end up buying a wheel even when I need slices..... to get slices easily from the wheel, just cut it in half and then cut thin slices from the cut edge)
~or~
2-3 slices Baby Swiss
Blackberries (halved)
Dijon Mustard

Layer chicken, cheese, and Blackberries on one slice of bread.  Spread just a little Dijon mustard on the other slice of bread and place mustard side down on top of sandwich.  Spread a thin layer of butter on the outside of one side of the sandwich and lay buttered side down on a hot griddle.  Use a panini press (or if you're like me and don't have one your hand, or a spatula, or whatever you can find to press down on it with) and compress sandwich while first side cooks. Cook until the buttered side is golden and the cheese is starting to get gooey and then butter the other side of the sandwich and flip it over.  Press and cook until that side is also golden.  Note: I made one with brie (for me) and one with Baby Swiss (for my husband who claims he doesn't like Brie - although he's eaten it when he didn't know that was what he was eating lol) and I sliced the brie on mine pretty thick, and I ended up liking his better (his I used pre-sliced sandwich cheese), mainly because the thick sliced brie on mine was overwhelming.  So my suggestion is to slice your brie very thinly.  Also be cautious of how much Dijon mustard you use. It has a very strong taste and can also be overwhelming, especially if you're not the biggest fan of it. (I like a hint of Dijon on stuff myself, but I don't like the taste to be very strong, all though that may just be mustard in general for me I usually tend to mix it with another dressing when I'm using it......).  This sandwich would also be good with Ham I think, especially with the Baby Swiss.

Blackberry-Peach Smoothie:

Combine 6oz. of peach yogurt and 1/4c to 1/2c. of frozen blackberries* in a blender ( I have one of those blenders that you blend it in the cup and then switch out the blades for a lid and it becomes a travel cup.... it's like the Magic Bullet blender, but it's a different brand.... I love it and it works fabulously for smoothies.... and easier to wash than a traditional blender).  Top off with peach juice and blend until smooth.
*to freeze fresh blackberries, spread them on a single layer on a baking sheet and then store in a freezer bag once they are completely frozen.

Blackberry Hand Pies:

 You can use up your second pie crust (if you bought refrigerated pie crusts) from when you made the Blackberries and Cream Pie , because I know you made that pie right?! hehehe ;).  Anyway..... all you really need to do is cut two piece of crust the same size and shape and place a small pile of berries mixed with sugar (to taste, just depending on how sweet you want it....) on one of the pieces.  Lightly dampen the edges of the piece of crust with a little water and lay the second piece on top.  Press the edges together sealing them with a fork, cut a slit in top, and bake according to to package directions for the crust. (or until it is golden).  You may want to brush the top of the hand pie with a little melted butter or egg wash and sprinkle a little sugar on top before baking too, but it's not absolutely necessary.  Make sure to let them cool well before you try to eat them!

and this last idea isn't really anything to make, per say, but I've been throwing a few blackberries in my Peanut Butter Cheerios (seriously if you haven't tried these Cheerios then you  need to right now. go to the store and get some. I'll wait................................ you see? aren't they amazing?! (well if you like peanut butter anyway...).  It tastes like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich as cereal.  So good!

After making the Blackberries and Cream pie the other day now I'm in the mood to make more summer pies and I've got a couple that I make that I look forward to all year, so keep your eyes out this week for more recipes!