How do you use frozen fruit?

[DaisyM]

I'm always passing by the frozen berries at TJ's and thinking I should find some use for them in the winter. Any suggestions on what you do? Thank you!

[gdaerin]

chop them up in a food processor, add a 4-5 dollops of vanilla yogurt, add some honey to taste and you have fresh frozen yogurt!

[greygarious]

Make a package of jello but instead of the cup of cold water, use 1-1/2 cups of frozen berries. Spoon into individual glasses/bowls and chill. Great topped with whipped cream that has been spiked with rum or liqueur.

[soniabegonia]

Make a compote and serve over plain yogurt (better, cheaper, less sugar than store-bought fruit yogurts). I've been doing this a lot lately. Also make a refreshing fruit cooler.. yes this requires some sugar but you can control how much and it's so much better than drinking sodas. And of course, smoothies.

[Channa]

I turn them into jam. No pectin needed -- just sugar and a bit of lemon juice. Microwave, cool, refrigerate. One bag yields one nice-sized jar of jam. It tastes fresh, and I don't have to make a dozen jars at a time. Not to mention picking, washing, prepping berries. Yeah, I'm lazy...

[thinks too much]

Blender with a touch of lemon juice and superfine sugar, strain the seeds out and you have a great topping for plain yogurt that knocks the socks off Dannon

[City Kid]

Frozen cherries: microwave briefly until just defrosted, put on top of vanilla frozen yogurt or ice cream...tastes rich and super-fattening!

[Sam Fujisaka]

My breakfast: sliced banana, homemade yogurt, previoiusly frozen blackberries, honey, milk.

[RosemaryHoney]

I turn them into a fruit crisp. Just put the frozen berries into a cassarole dish, toss with a little sugar if necessary (I do with cranberries, but don't with blueberries or strawberries), and top with a simple crisp or cobbler topping. I mix 1c oats, 1/2c flour, 1/2c brown sugar, pinch of salt, some spices, and cut in 1/2 stick cold butter. Then bake for 50-60 minutes at 350. Delicious and really really easy.

[DaisyM]

I was hoping someone was going to say they can be used for a crips. I'm going to make a blueberry crisp. That will be a nice surprise in the middle of winter. I never thought of using cranberries for a crsip. That sounds really, really good.

[cheesecake17]

I mix frozen blueberries into an apple crisp. The whole dish turns such a pretty color.

[goodhealthgourmet]

Daisy, i'm sorry i didn't clarify. when i posted above that they work in "any baking recipe," i meant that to include crisps, crumbles, pies and tarts...we all just sort of got off on a muffin tangent here :)

they certainly will work in a crisp. my apologies!

[Vetter]

I like the wild blueberries in buttermilk muffins. YUM.

Also, the frozen pineapple tidbits (such a funny term!) plus some light coconut milk and a splash of malibu and lime make a nice drink. Very orange-julius in texture.

[DaisyM]

Blueberry Muffins! I'm picking up some berries today at Trader Joe's. Thanks for the ideas. I think I'll start with blueberry muffins for Valentine's Day. That would be a nice way to start the day.

[cheesecake17]

Yum! Just make sure not to go overboard with the blueberries.. last time I tripled the amount of berries called for and i got piles of mush instead of muffins :)

I buy a lot of frozen fruit for smoothies and snacks. I love eating the frozen cubes of mango or pineapple straight from the freezer. My aunt used to make a fruit sauce of frozen fruit with ginger and poured it over ice cream- it was amazing.

[goodhealthgourmet]

cheesecake, that's good advice on watching the blueberry proportions because they do release some extra water...when i tried to increase the amount too much, i also ended up with very "moist" muffins ;)

FYI, i solved the problem by adding some dried blueberries along with the frozen. great results.

[cheesecake17]

that would absorb the extra water.. as long as you don't soak them beforehand. i usually soak mine in orange juice.

speaking of dried bluberries- TJ's has great ones.

[goodhealthgourmet]

that's where i buy 'em ;)

[cheesecake17]

me too- if they have them!

[goodhealthgourmet]

if you need an alternative, the "Flavor Tree" brand at WFM is pretty good, and not too pricey. in fact, whenever TJ's is out of the dried fruit, nuts or seeds i need, that's what i get instead.

[cheesecake17]

thanks! i'll look at those next time i'm at WF. i bought fresh blueberries this week at the chinese supermarket- 2 small boxes for $1!!

[jeni1002]

Like previous posters, I use them in smoothies, over waffles, yogurt, or as a crepe filling. I also nuke them and pour them warm over oatmeal or mix them with yogurt and grape nuts.

[cettlinger]

Yes, smoothies--I use it along with fresh fruit as the ice...

[HillJ]

As an alternative to maple syrup on pancakes, waffles & french toast.
Swirled into a muffin batter, pound cake batter or cheesecake to marble the batter
Inside crepes
Topped on ice cream
Grilled cheese & jam sandwiches

[janetms383]

Mango Margaritas, Strawberry Margaritas, Peach Margaritas..... or for a change of pace, you can make dacquris

[goodhealthgourmet]

as alanbarnes said, they're perfect for smoothies.

you can use them in any baking recipe that calls for berries....and you don't need to thaw them first.

i also like to heat them in the microwave or a saucepan until they're nice & warm & they release their liquid...then pour over yogurt or cottage cheese. yum.

[maplesugar]

ditto, but also as a topping for my morning oatmeal. :)

I also use frozen blueberries in my muffins, I roll them in a bit of flour before adding them to the batter (seems to help prevent streaking).

[goodhealthgourmet]

"I roll them in a bit of flour before adding them to the batter (seems to help prevent streaking)."
~~~~~~~~
it also keeps them from sinking to the bottom - this helps for chocolate chips too.

[rtms]

When adding frozen fruit to batters try waiting to the last minute and then cook immediately to minimize streaking.

[alanbarnes]

Smoothies. Use frozen berries, mango chunks, or whatever instead of ice cubes.