blueberry recipes Archives

It can be a common misconception that dairy products are bad for you – but when it comes to fresh and local dairy, these products pack a punch when we’re talking about nutrients. From bone health to immune health, fresh and local dairy contains various vitamins and minerals that aid in overall good health. There are countless ways to incorporate some of Tacoma Boys’ favorite fresh and local dairy products into yours and your family’s lifestyle.

The Benefits of Fresh and Local Dairy

Including fresh and local dairy products on your shopping list is a great way to add a good source of calcium and protein to daily meals. Local and organic dairy has proven to be more nutritious than traditional dairy products sold on the market. Choosing to buy local and organic dairy is a healthier option so you’re able to avoid any unwanted chemicals, added hormones, or unnecessary pesticides.

It’s important to note that dairy may not be for everyone. If you or someone you know has an allergy or an intolerance to dairy, Tacoma Boys carries a great selection of non-dairy milks and creamers that are bound to give you the same satisfaction! This is a great alternative for dairy-lovers who are unable to consume dairy because they are unable to digest the lactose found in dairy products. These non-dairy products also work great for those who choose not to include dairy in their diets due to other external factors.

Tacoma Boys’ Favorite Local Dairy Products

Smith Brothers Farms

Smith Brothers Farms has been around since 1920 and has provided 100 years of fresh and local dairy to the Pacific Northwest. They are family owned and operated and provide truly some of the best dairy products around.

Our Favorite Smith Brothers Products

Organic Whole & 2% Milk
Chocolate Reduced Fat Milk – yum
Half & Half
Heavy Whipping Cream
Eggnog
Cultured Buttermilk
Cottage Cheese
Sour Cream

Grace Harbor Farms

Grace Harbor Farms is another family owned and operated farm since 1999. All of the products are made without gums and artificial flavors, and come from organic-style farming where the animals have pasture access. This allows for healthier animals resulting in healthier dairy products!

Tacoma Boys’ Favorite Grace Harbor Farms Products

Plain Kefir
Vanilla Kefir

Kefir is a fermented drink that contains high levels of probiotics. These probiotics are beneficial to gut health which in return helps with a healthy immune system. Kefir contains a variety of vitamins, minerals, and antibacterial properties. Additionally, as with many dairy products, kefir can aid in overall bone health, making it a great product for kids as they grow!

Cooking With Dairy

Consuming a meal with nutrient-dense local dairy is a great way to start your day! From homemade pancakes to overnight oats followed by a soup lunch and pasta dinner, dairy is here and ready for it all!

Tacoma Boys’ Iced Vanilla Mocha

Ingredients

2 shots espresso – cooled
6 oz Smith Brothers Chocolate Milk
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
Ice
Homemade whipped cream – optional

Directions

Fill your serving glass up with ice.
In a separate cup, quickly whisk together the chocolate milk and vanilla extract.
Pour the cooled espresso into your serving glass over ice, and follow with the chocolate milk mixture.
Give it a good stir and garnish with whipped cream if desired.

Tacoma Boys’ Blueberry Kefir Smoothie

Ingredients

1 cup wild frozen blueberries
1 cup fresh spinach
1/2 banana
1/2 cup plain or vanilla kefir
1/4 cup pure pineapple juice
1/4 cup water or coconut water

Directions

Combine all ingredients into a high speed blender.
Blend until completely smooth.
Serve & enjoy!

Swing On In!

Swing by your local Tacoma Boys to check out the dairy selection to whip up one of these delicious meals or treats. If you have any questions, please reach out to one of our helpers and we will guide you in the right direction!

They’re finally here! This summer’s crop of the plumpest, juiciest blueberries you can imagine has hit the shelves at Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce. The best part? Our blueberries are grown right here in Puyallup! Did you know our state produces more blueberries than all of the other states combined? Washington has a great climate for growing them, which means fewer pesticides and bigger berries. And the crop gets bigger every year to meet a growing demand. More people are eating more blueberries and with great reason!

Why should you eat blueberries?

Often called a “superfood,” blueberries are low calorie, but packed with nutrients. These nutrients include a significant amount of Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Manganese, and Fiber. In addition to this, blueberries have antioxidants which help block cancer-causing free radicals. Blueberries also boast anti-aging properties, contribution to heart health, lower blood pressure, and better cholesterol.

Convenient to eat now or freeze later, blueberries make the top of our list when it comes to favorite fruits. And to top it all off, they’re extremely versatile! From sweet to savory dishes, blueberries can do it all. So, we’ve compiled a few of our favorite ways to enjoy them. Try one or all of these great recipes and see if Washington blueberries don’t become a favorite in your home as well!

3 Delicious Blueberry Dishes to Try This Summer

Blueberry Pancakes

Is there anything better than a mouthful of fluffy, warm pancake coated in butter and maple syrup? We think so. The same thing, but with blueberries. Simply start with your favorite pancake recipe or pancake mix, add as many blueberries (frozen or fresh) as you like to the batter, pour onto a preheated griddle as usual, and enjoy! Don’t have a favorite recipe? Try this one from Cafe Delites! You’ll need:

2 cups all purpose

1/4 cup granulated sugar or sweetener

4 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 3/4 cups milk,

1/4 cup butter

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1 large egg

Blueberries!

Simply mix dry ingredients (flour, sugar (or sweetener), baking powder, baking soda and salt) in a large bowl. Then, in a separate bowl, whisk the wet ingredients together. Combine wet and dry ingredients until mostly smooth. Mix in as many blueberries as you like. Now you’re ready to cook! Preheat a skillet or griddle to low-medium heat. Oil lightly (butter is best, but you do you). Pour about a quarter cup per pancake onto the hot surface. You’ll know it’s time to flip when there are bubbles across the surface. Flip, wait, and enjoy! These pancakes are perfect for kids and breakfast connoisseurs alike, so don’t be surprised if you find yourself making this recipe again and again!

Summer Berry Salad

This Summer Berry Salad is a great way to incorporate berries into your main course. A hefty amount of grilled chicken makes this salad a meal, and the combination of fruit, goat cheese and pecans provides a perfect balance. Here’s what you’ll need:

Fresh spinach

Strawberries, quartered

Blueberries

Pecans

Goat cheese

Tacoma Boys Vanilla Peach Dressing

Grilled chicken, chopped

This salad is best with spinach or a spring mix as its base. Next, top with blueberries and strawberries (make sure they’re stemmed and quartered). Then, add the pecans! Feel free to leave them whole, halve them, or chop them to your taste. For added sweetness and crunch, candy your pecans prior to making your salad. Top with crumbled goat cheese–we recommend grabbing some Montchevre’s Blueberry Vanilla flavored goat cheese from Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce’s vast cheese selection. Finally, toss in Tacoma Boys Vanilla Peach Dressing.

Feel free to leave the chicken off for a great vegetarian option or to enjoy as a side salad. This dish is a crowd pleaser–so enjoy it with your family at home or bring it to your next BBQ and watch it disappear!

Creamy Layered Blueberry Ice Pops

Ok, we may have saved the best for last with this one. Is it ice cream? Is it a popsicle? For kids or adults? Yes, yes and yes! These Creamy Ice Pops from Taste of Home are the ultimate treat for the middle of the day after playing in the pool, or a fancy dessert to top off the evening. Or, for a simpler take on the recipe, try our version below! Just make sure you prepare them well ahead of time, since they’ll need time to freeze.

You’ll need:

2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries

2 tablespoons sugar

¾ cup Dickenson’s Lemon Curd (found in our jam section)

2-1/4 cups frozen whipped topping, thawed

10 freezer pop molds or 10 paper cups (3 ounces each) and wooden pop sticks

Place blueberries and sugar in a saucepan; cook and stir over medium heat until berries pop, 5-7 minutes. Cool completely. Add whipped topping to the lemon curd, whisking to blend. Transfer half of the mixture to a pastry bag. Pipe into molds or cups. Layer with blueberries. Pipe the remaining whipped topping mixture over top. Close molds with holders. For paper cups, top with foil and insert sticks through foil. Freeze until firm, about 4 hours. All the taste and texture of summer rolled into one cool treat, you’ll love these lemon blueberry ice pops. And the recipe is simple enough, you’ll want to add it to your list of summer go-to’s!

This Summer’s Best Blueberries at Tacoma Boys

With all these fresh ways to try blueberries this summer, you’ll need plenty. And here at Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce, we have plenty! Swing by and get a great deal on a half flat (or two). Eat some this week, then freeze the rest and enjoy year round! Simply place the whole ½ flat in the freezer and freeze until berries are solid. Then, place the blueberries in half gallon freezer bags and put them back in the freezer. Great for smoothies, baking, and just eating plain, you’ll find tons of ways to enjoy this summer’s crop of delicious juicy blueberries at Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce!

Posts tagged “blueberry recipes”