Did you know that July was not only National Ice Cream month but also National Berry Month? I love strawberries but I thought it would be fun to share some facts that I got from Driscoll’s about another berry, the blackberry, along with a recipe for some homemade frozen yogurt.
Blackberries
Known as the “cabernet” of berries for their earthy, wine-like taste, Driscoll’s Blackberries are an easy and healthy addition to anyone’s diet. Aside from being tasty, Driscoll’s Blackberries are loaded with dietary fiber, heart-healthy polyunsaturated fats, Vitamin C and antioxidants, making them quite beneficial for staying healthy and even losing weight.
Besides the typical berry health benefits, Driscoll’s Blackberries also contain a high amount of tannin – a nutrient that studies have shown to tighten tissue, alleviate diarrhea and intestinal inflammation, and even treat sore throats and mouth irritations.
Feel like testing your culinary talent? Blackberry cobbler is always a hit. Or, for a slightly more healthy and simple treat, pair Driscoll’s Blackberries with pears and almonds and sprinkle over salad.
1 cup of blackberries = 6g of fiber, which is 1/3 of your daily recommended intake, much more than bananas, grapes or apples!
A one-cup serving of blackberries provides:
60 Calories with 2g Protein and only 1g Fat
50% of your day’s supply of Vitamin C
32% of your day’s supply of Fiber
9% of your day’s supply of Folic Acid
6% of your day’s supply of Iron
4% of your day’s supply of Calcium
4,654 ORAC Value (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity measures antioxidant levels)
BLACKBERRY-CHOCOLATE FROZEN YOGURT
Makes 1 ½ Quarts
- 2 (16-ounce) cartons vanilla low fat yogurt
- 2 ½ cups Driscoll’s Blackberries
- ½ cup light-colored corn syrup
- ¼ cup sugar
- ½ cup coarsely chopped semisweet chocolate (3 ounces)
In a blender container or food processor bowl, combine half of the yogurt, ½ cup of the berries, half of the corn syrup and half of the sugar. Cover and blend or process until almost smooth. Pour mixture into ice cream freezer container. Repeat. Freeze mixture in an electric ice cream freezer according to manufacturer’s directions. Remove dasher from freezer. Add remaining 1½ cups berries and the chopped chocolate; stir to distribute. Ripen*.
*Note: To ripen frozen yogurt or ice cream, after stirring in berries and chocolate, cover top of freezer can with waxed paper or foil. Plug hole in lid and replace lid. Pack outer freezer bucket with enough ice and rock salt to cover top of freezer can, using about 4 cups ice and 1 cup salt. Ripen about 4 hours.
Nutritional Information Per ½ Cup Serving: 175 calories, 3g total fat (2g saturated fat), 5mg cholesterol, 70mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate, 3g dietary fiber, 4g protein.
Doesn’t that sound delicious?! Want to try making some? I’ll give you the blackberries, courtesy of Driscoll’s of course.
WIN IT!
One winner will receive a $5 coupon good for any Driscoll’s item.
Heads up. This week I ‘ll be doing a new Driscoll’s giveaway each weekday so be sure to come back. My Mom, Pat from Here And There, is also doing a Driscoll’s giveaway so be sure to stop by and see what she’s got to say.
HOW TO ENTER. (MANDATORY)
To enter check out the Driscoll’s recipes. Then come back here and leave a comment on this post telling me one recipe that you’d like to try.
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THE SMALL PRINT.
US addresses only please. This contest will end on Monday 07/27/09 at 11:59 pm est. If you’ve entered any of my giveaways before then you know that only comments containing all of the requested information will be eligible for entry. The winner must contact me to confirm they wish to receive the prize within two days of my email notifying them they’ve won. Good luck to everyone! Members of my own family are not eligible to win but are still welcome to leave a comment.
THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.
