Blueberries and Balsamic Vinegar in Pie?
They are having a buy-one-get-one-free offer on blueberries down at the market and I was going to make some pie. I was thinking of trying something different and adding some balsamic vinegar. I see lots of recipes for "blueberry balsamic vinegar" so they must go together. Has anyone ever tried this? Any other interesting additions to blueberry pie?
Add a comment:
Previewing your comment:
HTML Hints
Some HTML is OK: <a href="URL">link</a>, <strong>strong</strong>, <em>em</em>
Comment Guidelines
Post whatever you want, just keep it seriously about eats, seriously. We reserve the right to delete off-topic or inflammatory comments. Learn more at our Comment Policy page.
If you see something not so nice, please, report an inappropriate comment.
Start Talking!
Need a question answered? Have advice to share? Start a Talk topic now!
Sign up to get your questions answered and share advice.
7 Comments:
Seems like it's worth a try, sounds like it would work - Or maybe go for an underused spice: Cardamom, or Lavender - maybe Thyme??
rgolightly at 11:12AM on 06/05/09
Thyme or lavender sounds great--I have some growing in my garden. I'm inspired!
smallblondemom at 11:17AM on 06/05/09
Could be good. Let us know.
beth1 at 1:54PM on 06/05/09
I think it sounds very promising. I second the idea of using a little bit of herbs, the thyme and lavender in particular sound very good. A little bit goes a long way though, you want to avoid it tasting like perfume.
simon at 1:59PM on 06/05/09
I think the Balsamic would go great, as would the herbs mentioned above. I guess it depends on how you want to play up the blueberries.
There are many berry balsamic vinegars out there that are wonderful, as an option, too. I currently have pomegranate vinegar, which I frequently use in recipes - both savory and sweet. I have also tried strawberry and raspberry balsamic vinegars - both lovely.
Blueberries have a hint of spiceness to them, as does lavendar, which would make for a nice match. I am not a big fan of tarragon, but it comes to mind as a possible compliment, as do cloves and star anise. I also love blueberries with Stilton cheese or Mascarpone (and most other dairy products).
Because blueberries can be cloyingly sweet in desserts, I like the play of bright flavors with blueberry like lemon. Perhaps lemon balm, or lemon verbena would be nice here. I imagine lime or orange would go well, also. Especially lime - again for that hint of spiciness.
Hmmm... blueberry, lime, clove, and mascarpone... with a hit of cardamon or cinnamon... Mmmmm....
Okay, I had better stop before a run out and buy blueberries to make a pie, myself!
Enjoy your fresh, seasonal pie, and let us know what you decided to do with it!
Cheers,
~ Paula
Paula Maack at 2:12PM on 06/05/09
I kept it simple and used two tablespoons of a high quality balsamic vinegar and just a 1/2 tsp of thyme to three cups of blueberries. It's pretty heavenly.
smallblondemom at 2:48PM on 06/05/09
It's not unusual for an acid to be used with very sweet fruit. When we were kids we used to go to a restaurant called Gargiulo's run by three brothers. They would inject balsamic vinegar into strawberries. They were waaay ahead of the curve as they did this 35 years ago.
therealchiffonade at 6:42AM on 06/06/09