Berry Purée

A necessary staple in every kitchen, berry purée can be added to everything from yogurt to salad dressings, to lemonade, to ice cream. You can use this recipe to make a raspberry purée , a blackberry purée , or a mixed berry purée with fresh, frozen, or canned Oregon berries. Keep it on hand and elevate every meal!

berry puree

Ingredients

1 LB fresh, frozen (thawed), or canned raspberries or blackberries
2 tablespoons powdered sugar, agave nectar, or honey, optional

Preparation

Step 1
Transfer berries and any accumulated juices to a food processor or blender and purée. With a spatula, press purée through a fine-mesh strainer placed over a bowl until only the seeds are left in the strainer. Whisk in sweetener, if desired.

Holiday Mulled Berry Purée
Proceed as directed above, adding ½ teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, ¼ teaspoon ground ginger, ⅛ teaspoon cloves, and the zest of 1 orange to the finished purée.

Spicy Berry Purée
Proceed as directed above, adding 1 habañero, 1 jalapeño, or 1 serrano pepper to the food processor or blender with the berries.

Masala Berry Purée
Proceed as directed above, adding ½ teaspoon cardamom, ¼ teaspoon ground ginger, and ⅛ teaspoon cloves to the finished purée.

Minty Berry Purée
Proceed as directed above, adding ½ cup fresh mint leaves to the food processor or blender with the berries.

Serving Suggestions
• Swirl into the top of a cheesecake before baking, or spread a thin layer over a baked and cooled cheesecake
• Serve with pancakes and waffles instead of maple syrup
• Drizzle over yogurt or oatmeal
• Add to a smoothie for super concentrated berry flavor and color
• Swirl into quick breads or brownies
• Mix into lemon or limeade or use in cocktails
• Mix into pancake batter for brightly colored pancakes
• Beat into buttercream or cream cheese frostings
• Mix into a vanilla ice cream base or swirl into ice cream at the end of freezing