US Highbush Blueberries Pancakes and Power Smoothie Recipes

Hola! Before July ends, let's celebrate all things blueberry. Why? Because it's the National Blueberry Month. If you didn't know yet, blueberries, a superfood also known as "Little Blue Dynamo" has one of the highest antioxidant among other fruits and vegetables. Now Malaysians will have more reason to stock up on their favourite "U.S Highbush Blueberries" as it is now in season up to October.




Did you know U.S Highbush Blueberry highly regarded as the best in the world? Native to North America, Highbush blueberries are basically taller cultivars and produce larger, juicier berries. They flourish from April to October but thanks to industrious farmers, the fresh and flavorful blueberries can be enjoyed all year round. Highbush blueberries are grown in the acidic soils found in the highlands of California, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon and Washington. Grown and harvested by farmers in a collective under the US Highbush Blueberry Council, they have proven that there is strength in numbers with a pooled effort in research, breeding and cultivation science, top notch technology which has resulted in superior blueberries regarded as some of the world’s best.

From left to right: Celebrity nutritionist, Alexandra Prabaharan; All About Fresh Produce Sdn.Bhd Managing Director, Retna Malar Subramaniam;  General Manager of Merchandising Retail Business, AEON, Ms Ng Chin Choy; Agriculture Attaché of US Embassy of Malaysia, Ms Joani Dong; South East Asia Market Manager for US Highbush Blueberry Council, Ms Phornthip Poolprasert; and Managing Director of Euro-Atlantic, Ms Ebby Loo.

Blueberries health benefits include : 

1. Protect against ageing and cancer
2. Helps maintain brain function and improve memory
3. Helps improve the function of insulin
4. Decrease blood lipid levels
5. Helps reduce abdominal fat
6. Helps regulate blood sugar levels
7. Helps with eye health and better vision
8. Helps lower blood pressure

Apart from that, the anthocyanins and bioflavonoidsin in blueberries are also much more powerful than those found in red wine and not to mention that these nutrient-dense berries contain only 80 calories in a cup. 

 

In conjunction with the launch of U.S Highbush Blueberries at AEON, One Utama Shopping Center recently, Nutritionist and Celebrity Chef, Alexandra Prabaharan demonstrated two amazing blueberry recipes. Alexandra, a certified nutritionist highlighted that blueberries have significant amount of antioxidants, as well as loaded with Vitamin C, minerals such as potassium, iron, manganese which aids in the management of anti-inflammatory ailments.  

 
Blueberry Pancakes 

Ingredients for Blueberry Caramel 
50g white sugar
30ml water
20g butter
75g blueberries
Pinch of salt

Instructions : 

1. In a pot, dissolve the sugar and water until you get a light brown colour. 
2. Do not stir as the caramel will crystallize if you do.
3. Turn off the heat when it turns light brown and removed from the heat.
4. Add in the butter, followed by blueberries and salt, stir and cook on medium heat for 5 mins until you get the consistency you preferred. 
5. Keep aside for the pancakes. 

Ingredients for Yogurt Pancake

170g Greek yogurt (plain or flavoured)

1/2 cup flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 egg

Blueberries

Butter to grease the pan

Instructions : 

1. Lightly whisk the yogurt and egg.
2. In another bowl, mix the flour and baking powder throughly.
3. Fold in the yogurt mixture. (thick consistency)
4. Heat up a pan and grease with some butter.
5. Pour on the yogurt with a spoon and spread out.
6. Stud the blueberries in.
7. Cook till the edges are no longer liquid and then flip over and continue till it turns golden brown. 
8. Drizzle with the blueberry caramel.

 

Blueberry Power Smoothie

Ingredients 

1 handful blueberries (frozen or fresh)

1 banana

1 tsp chia seeds

1 tsp barley leaf powder

1 cup soy milk (unsweetened)

1 tsp raw honey

Instructions :

1. Pour everything into a blender and blitz till smooth. 
2. Enjoy! (Use frozen blueberries and banana if you prefer a more slushy consistency)

 

Fresh, big and succulent, the US Highbush Blueberries is imported by Euro-Atlantic and several other importers are available at all AEON outlets. Grab a pack today!