Minced chicken Wrap with Avocado Drizzled with Balsamic Vinegar
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Minced chicken Wrap with Avocado Drizzled with Balsamic Vinegar

I don’t know about you but I just love the flavor of Hoisin sauce not sure what it is about it but it is soooo good. I had a craving for it the other day and when I took the boneless chicken breast out of the freezer I kind of thought that a lettuce wrap would be a good thing to make. I included the avocado because I am still celebrating the beginning of avocado season. Anyway this is a dish that is from the gut one never knows what is in the frig or cabinets and what tickles the taste buds until you see it.

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Ingredients

  • 1 boneless chicken breast
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1-2 tablespoons Hoisin sauce
  • 1 small shallot diced finely
  • 1 carrot thinly julienned
  • A few asparagus (depending on size) thinly julienned – another spring crop delight!
  • Small handful of raw cashews – minced
  • Romain or Boston lettuce leafs

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How

Pound the chicken breast to about ¼” thickness and dice roughly

Pan sear in a drizzle of olive oil until lightly browned about 2-3 minutes over medium heat.

Remove to cutting board and dice finer pieces

Return to pan add shallot cook about 1 minute

Add carrot, asparagus and cashews and cook for about 1-2 minute add the hoisin sauce and stir to coat.

Spoon into lettuce and enjoy.

I just sliced the avocado and drizzled with my 18 year old balsamic vinegar

Oh I used the leftovers in my salad that I brought for lunch today!!

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Similar post

Lettuce Wrapped Pork with Pine Nuts in a Hoisin Sauce ( stevesacooking.com)

 

 

lee-kum-kee-hoisin-sauce-85-oz

Hoisin Sauce

Q. I’ve heard hoisin sauce is like a Chinese barbecue sauce, but I’m not sure if that’s true. What exactly is hoisin sauce?

A. In some ways, hoisin sauce is like a Chinese barbecue sauce: it’s used in Chinese cooking much like barbecue sauce is used in American cooking.

The Chinese use hoisin sauce as a glaze for meats and as a condiment. Hoisin is a reddish-brown sauce that’s salty, sweet, and spicy.

hoisin-sauce

Hoisin sauce is made from soybean paste, garlic, chilies, and various spices, and can contain sugar and vinegar.

Hoisin sauce is also sometimes called Peking sauce, because it’s used in making Peking duck.

Hoisin is a great glaze for meat and fish. A little dab of hoisin sauce also gives extra flavor to stir-fry and noodle dishes.

 

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Greek Souvlaki Sandwich

This is Steve now:  I put my pictures and the recipe so I would have it handy for next time.

Made this tonight and it was great!

One of my wife’s favorite recipes in what she calls my Lambie Pie, my version of Gyros Sandwich so when I found this on pinterest I had to try it and it was well worth it.

Marinated Greek Pork

1 lb boneless pork sirloin chops Juice of 1 lemon 1 clove garlic, finely minced ½ tsp oregano ½ tsp salt ¼ tsp granulated sugar ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper 2 tablespoons olive oil Fresh pita bread

pork Ingredients

Optional toppings: Thinly sliced sweet onions Sliced kalamata olives Greek pepperoncini peppers, drained and sliced Sliced tomatoes Shredded lettuce

TOPPING 2

Thinly slice the pork and place in a bowl. Squeeze the lemon and add to the pork strips, along with the garlic, oregano, salt, sugar pepper and olive oil. Combine well and set aside to marinate about 20 minutes.

Mix in marinade for about 20 minutes

Preheat a non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Add the pork strips and stir fry until any liquid is evaporated and the meat is lightly browned, about 7-10 minutes. Cool and serve. Can be made a day in advance and refrigerated. Very good served at room temperature.

Stir fry until liquid gone   Stirfry until slightly browned

To serve, fill pita with pork strips, any of the optional topping and tzatziki sauce (recipe below).

Let meat cool and grab a peta Eat

Serves 6-8 (depending on size of the pita bread)

Tzatziki Sauce

8 oz. Greek yogurt 4 oz. sour cream 1 medium cucumber, peeled grated and squeezed dry Juice of ½ lemon 1 small clove garlic, finley minced and mashed 1 tsp olive oil ¼ tsp salt

Sauce ingredieints

Peel, grate and squeeze the cucumbers to remove as much water as possible. Place in a medium bowl, add the remaining ingredients in a bowl and stir well. Cover and refrigerate until serving time. Can be made a day in advance and refrigerated until needed.

SAUCE

Salad with Strawberry, Pineapple and Avocado
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Salad with Strawberry, Pineapple and Avocado

Salad with Strawberry, Pineapple and Avocado

So its lunch time and every day I bring a salad for lunch. Usually on Sundays make one huge base salad and store in a container that you can give CPR to the top and it pushes the air out of it.freshvac

I don’t put in things like cucumbers or other things that tend to spoil quickly just the base salad. Then in the morning I grab a bunch put it in my container and add my condiments if you will. saladshakerThe condiments are things cukes, tomato, whatever I had left over from dinner last night.  My handy little container has a compartment for dressing which for me is just plain ole 18 year old balsamic vinegar.

 

Ingredients

  • Base salad
  • Organic Strawberries cut in chunks
  • Fresh pineapple cut into chunks
  • ½ avocado slices
  • Cumber cut into chunks
  • Cherry tomatoes
  •  18 year old Balsamic Vinegar (you could add oil but why dilute the vinegar.)

 

How

Place all in your handy take to work container along with an orange and banana maybe some celery or carrot sticks.

Release vinegar, shake or toss and eat!

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Related articles

4 Healthy Reasons to Eat a Salad Today

By Elaine Magee, MPH, RD

WebMD Feature

 

Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD

Have you had your salad today? Eating salad almost every day may be one of the most healthy eating habits you can adopt — and one of the simplest, experts say.

 

Eating salads is a super-convenient way to work in a couple of servings of vegetables and/or fruit. Green salads are on the menu of almost every restaurant. You can even buy a side salad (with Romaine lettuce, carrots and tomatoes, available with fat-free or reduced-calorie salad dressing) for a buck at many fast food chains these days. And you can make a green salad at home in 5 minutes, armed with a bag of pre-washed salad greens, a few carrots or other veggies, and a bottle of light salad dressing.

 

Not only that, but salads are cool, crunchy, and fun to eat (lots of textures, colors, and flavors). Most people enjoy eating salads–even kids! You can customize them to include the fruits and vegetables that appeal to you the most, and whichever ones you have on hand.

 

Here are four health reasons to reach for a salad today:

 

1. Eat Salads for the Fiber

It’s hard to believe that something we can’t even digest can be so good for us! Eating a high-fiber diet can help lower cholesterol levels and prevent constipation.

Read more…

Not only that, says Barbara Rolls, PhD, author of The Volumetrics Eating Plan, eating more fiber can help you feel fuller, eat less, and ultimately lose weight.

 avacoda about

Avocado Health Benefits: The World’s Most Perfect Food?

It has achieved this distinction because many nutritionists claim it not only contains everything a person needs to survive — but it has also been found to contribute to the prevention and control of Alzheimer’s, cancer, heart disease, diabetes and other health conditions.

The avocado (Persea gratissima or P. americana) originated in Puebla, Mexico and its earliest use dates back to 10,000 years B.C. Since AD 900, the avocado tree has been cultivated and grown in Central and South America. In the 19th century, the avocado made its entry into California, and has since become a very successful commercial crop. Ninety-five percent (95%) of U.S. avocados are gown in Southern California.

The avocado, also called the alligator pear, is a high-fiber, sodium- and cholesterol-free food that provides nearly 20 essential nutrients, including fiber, is rich in healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats (such as omega-3 fatty acids), vitamins A, C, D, E, K and the B vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12 and folate) — as well as potassium.

Read more here

My California Burger, I guess
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My California Burger, I guess

I already express my delight with the official start of Avocado season and in celebration I will try to use avocado in at least one meal a day until the 5 I bought are gone. Anyway last night I had a burger and Lyn took a look at it and said that’s a California burger. I don’t care what you call it, it sure was tasty.

avacado

Ingredients

  • 1 ground sirloin patty
  • ½ avocado, sliced
  • 3 grape cherry tomatoes sliced
  • 1 piece of ROMAIN lettuce
  • Some cheese
  • 1 all natural organic bun

How:

Cook the burger to your doneness, melt cheese on top

Arrange the lettuce, tomatoes and avocado on top.

Important note: you can pile up the avocado

You can top with any condiments you want, I choose none.

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Shhhhh don’t tell anyone I also took a potato pancake out of the freezer it became my giant tater tot.

avacoda about

 

Are you up to speed on your avocado nutrition knowledge?

This creamy, delicious fruit packs a punch! Read on for the tastiest top five facts about avocado nutrition:

  • Avocado nutrition fact #1: Avocados are naturally cholesterol free!
  • Avocado nutrition fact #2: When used instead of other fats, avocados can be a satisfying addition to a calorie-reduced diet.
  • Avocado nutrition fact #3: The avocado is virtually the only fruit that has heart-healthy monounsaturated fat.
  • Avocado nutrition fact #4: Avocados are included in dietary programs from some of the world’s leading nutrition organizations.
  • Avocado nutrition fact #5: California Avocados are a nutrient-dense fruit.

As you can see, avocados have more to offer than just great taste! Add California Avocados to your diet today.

Related articles
Roasted Asparagus
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Roasted Asparagus

By Amy Johnson

 

Spring is here!

This was so easy and delicious the rosemary was a perfect complement.

Ingredients

•1 bundle/bunch of asparagus

•1 lemon

•handful of rosemary sprigs

•2-tablespoons olive oil

•salt and pepper to taste

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Note: I did not have any fresh rosemary on hand so I used dry. I have made similar but never thought about rosemary, can’t wait until I have some fresh.

 

How:

Preheat oven to 400°F.

Thinly slice half of lemon.

Prep asparagus shoots, and spread them along with the lemon slices and rosemary on a parchment lined baking sheet.

Toss all with olive oil, as well as salt and pepper.

Squeeze juice from remaining half of lemon.

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Roast in oven for 7 minutes, then carefully turn asparagus over and continue roasting for another 8 minutes. Watch for preferred doneness. Add additional time if needed. Total roasting time should be between 15-20 minutes.

This Picture by Amy Johnson

This Picture by Amy Johnson

Serve warm.

Here is a good source

10 Health Benefits of Asparagus You Need to Know

 

 

 

Glazed Blueberry Chicken
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Glazed Blueberry Chicken

You may have read that I am addicted to my 18 year old balsamic vinegar, well the last time I ordered online they accidentally sent me a bottle of blueberry balsamic vinegar along with that I ordered. Their mistake was quickly fixed and the blueberry was mine to play with for free!! I thought that it would be great on some fresh fruit, which it was, I tried over avocado but not quite my thing then my wife handed me the Silver Palate cook book and asked do you think you could make this. I have trouble refusing those eyes and a new recipe always excites me. After she said that she had been waiting for 25 years to try something like this what do I think about raspberry?

 

Yield: 2 to 4 servings

 

Ingredients

  • 1 chicken, 2 1/2 to 3 lbs., cut into quarters (or I just use boneless thighs)*
  • 1/2 c blueberry vinegar
  • 1 tsp. dried thyme
  • sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1/3 c blueberry chutney
  • chopped Italian parsley and grated zest of an orange for garnish

 

*Note: I just used 2 bone in chicken breast there is only 2 of us but did make the same amount of marinade since it would become the sauce.

 

How:

Combine chicken quarters, blueberry vinegar, and thyme in a bowl and marinate 2 hours.

marinate

Pre-heat oven to 300 degrees. Arrange chicken, skin side up, in a glass baking dish. Reserve marinade. Season the chicken lightly with salt and pepper and coat with chutney.

Set baking dish on the center rack of the oven and bake, uncovered, 40 minutes, or until done. Transfer chicken to a serving platter, cover, and keep warm.

roast

Skim the fat from the cooking juices and move to a saucepan over medium heat. Add the marinade and bring to a boil. Reduce by 1/3 or until sauce is lightly thickened.  Pour over chicken and garnish with fresh parsley and orange zest. (You can also stir in some fresh blueberries to the sauce in the saucepan when you are simmering that.)

sauce

Serve.

Bluebery glazed Chicken SERVE

Other posts

Balsamic Vinegar

Pan Seared Chicken Breasts with Lemon Herb Pan Sauce

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Crispy Traditional Potato Pancakes
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Crispy Traditional Potato Pancakes

By Joan Nathan

Ingredients:

  • 2 pounds russet (baking) or Yukon Gold potatoes

russett

  • 1 medium onion

onion

  • 1/2 cup chopped scallions, including the green part

scallions

  • 1 large egg, beaten

egg

  • Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
  • Vegetable oil for frying

How:
1. Peel the potatoes and put in cold water. Using a grater or a food processor coarsely grate the potatoes and onions. Place together in a fine-mesh strainer or tea towel and squeeze out all the water over a bowl. The potato starch will settle to the bottom; reserve that after you have carefully poured off the water.

2. Mix the potato and onion with the potato starch. Add the scallions, egg, and salt and pepper.

3. Heat a griddle or non-stick pan and coat with a thin film of vegetable oil. Take about 2 tablespoons* of the potato mixture in the palm of your hand and flatten as best you can. Place the potato mixture on the griddle, flatten with a large spatula, and fry for a few minutes until golden. Flip the pancake over and brown the other side. Remove to paper towels to drain. Serve immediately. You can also freeze the potato pancakes and crisp them up in a 350-degree oven at a later time.

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*I like really big pancakes so my pick show much larger ones, maybe 4-6 tablespoons. remember I am a pinch of this or handful of that kind of cook.

Variation: If you want a more traditional and thicker pancake, you can add an extra egg plus 1/3 cup of matzah meal to the batter.

Pther Posts

Big Fat Cod Potato Pancakes

Crispy Oven Baked Russet Fries

 

 

Endive, Radicchio, Fennel, and Watercress Salad
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Endive, Radicchio, Fennel, and Watercress Salad

Lyn reminds me that I forgot to mention the salad and also the Wholefoods Cranberry multigrain rolls we had at our Eastover feast. Laurel once made a similar roll but they are much better perhaps someday I will get the recipe but we were there and convenience sometimes rules. We recently decided that Wholefoods bakery is not so good again convenience sometimes rules. I rarely bake to exact a science for me. Although I usually say ½ cup or 2 Tbsp. of this I am guessing for others sake I am really a handful of this a pinch of that kind of guy. Anyway…….

Eastover Surf and Turf BBQ Rub Salmon, Grill NY Strip Steak, Roasted potatoes, carrot root, turnips and carrots, Fennel salad and asparagus.

Eastover Surf and Turf BBQ Rub Salmon, Grill NY Strip Steak, Roasted potatoes, Celery root, turnips and carrots, Fennel salad and asparagus.

Ingredients:

  • 4 endive, thickly sliced on the diagonal

BelgianEndive

  • 1 large bulb fresh fennel, fronds removed and bulb very thinly sliced

fennel

  • 1 bunch watercress, stems removed

watercress

  • 1/2 Head of Radicchio sliced crosswise thinly

radichio

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Zest of one Meyer lemon
  • Juice of 1 Meyer lemon
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

How:

In a bowl, combine the endive, fennel, radicchio, watercress and Meyer lemon zest then toss gently to mix.

add Myer lemon zest

Whisk the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.

Add half of the dressing and toss gently to coat thoroughly. Drizzle with the remaining vinaigrette and serve immediately..

toss

THE HISTORY OF  WATERCRESS

watercress about 1

From http://www.watercress.com/history.aspx

Watercress is the most ancient of   green vegetables known to man and its use can be traced back to the Persians,   Greeks and Romans. In fact, a famous Persian chronicler advised Persians to   feed cress to their children to improve bodily growth. He also strongly   recommended its use to the Greek and Persians soldiers of that time.Although these eminent rulers knew   nothing of such matters as mineral content and vitamins, they did observe   that their soldiers were in better condition when this plant was made part of   their daily diet. The Romans, too, looked with favor upon Watercress as a   salad. The common method of preparation in those days was with oil and vinegar.   It was also served with pepper, cumin seed and lentiscus…leaves of the mastic   tree.

When Hippocrates founded the first   hospital on the Island of Kos around 400 BC, he grew wild watercress in the   natural springs and used it to treat blood disorders.

It is reported that Nicholas   Messier first grew watercress in Erfurt, Germany, in the middle of the 16th   century. English cultivation started in early 1800, when a farmer near London   began to give cress attention as a product of Agriculture to be used in salads.   It was not long before its popularity spread and it became increasingly   difficult to meet the rather sudden increase in demand for watercress.

The herbalist John Gerard extolled   watercress as an anti-scorbutic (remedy for scurvy) as early as 1636. No doubt   in those days it was far easier to come by than oranges – a foreign   extravagance.

According to the book ‘James Cook   and the Conquest of Scurvy’, Captain James Cook was able to circumnavigate   the globe three times, due in part, to his use of watercress in his sailors   diets. And watercress is recorded as being on the menu for the vary first   Thanksgiving with the Pilgrims and the American Indians.

Wherever Watercress has been   reported in history, it has been common to eat the crisp green sprigs out of   hand, combined with other tender greens in salads and as a garnish on hot and cold dishes. In addition,   certain nationalities have made a particular watercress use famous in their   country.

For instance, the French are noted   for delicious thick soup made of potatoes and watercress, Potage Cressionniere.   This is usually served hot, though it is delicious served cold.

The English, of course, are   responsible for popularizing the watercress sandwiches. These are now practically standard service, appearing at   daily family teas and high teas alike. The Italians, too, did their bit by   adding shortcut sprigs of Watercress to their minestrone and other satisfying   and hearty vegetable soups. The Chinese have long used watercress sprays in their egg drop,   wonton and of course watercress soup.

Here in America, B&W   Watercress, Inc. has not only made watercress available easily, but we also   developed interesting recipes for using Watercress. These include: watercress   salad, soups and sandwiches, dips, entrees and of course the vegetable   dishes.

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watercress2

It’s Avocado Season!!
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It’s Avocado Season!!

When I was younger so much younger than today I lived in Temecula California doing under the table asphalt work for Rich McDonnell’s uncle I think. We lived in their country house so to speak and whenever he had a job down our area we were readily available   workers. It was a tough life we had to take care of the 2 horses a dog, got   the old Willy jeep working and explored the area. It was what they called mud flat desert and it went on for miles and miles. We once found a small town somewhere out in the middle of nowhere with the sing Welcome to “sorry Can’t remember the   name” 12 happy and 3 grumpy residents. Temecula was not a huge town and in   fact if you remember the Clorox commercials away from…. well Temecula was one   of those towns. We made 104 people in the town and maybe 8 of them used   Clorox. It was in the height of the gas rationing odd even days and we never   knew it since the gas station was only open 1 day a week. Anyway when a crew came in to build hydroponic I struck up a friendship with the contractor a fellow Yankee but from NJ and was soon working there.  What has this got to do with avocados, my god when he said he was a flow of thought writer he was not kidding here it is….I love avocados whether in everybody’s favorite guacamole or sliced with a drizzle with 18 year old balsamic vinegar, mixed in a tuna melt, in salads and am always looking for new ideas. Temecula is next door in desert terms the Avocado capital of the world or at least California, Fallbrook CA. I used to joke playing with the old wives tale that a lobsterman could legally shot you for pulling up his trap that the same was true with avocado ranchers and picking from their trees.I got this notice from California Avocado Commission.

Ah, April! The month that brings us   spring also means the start of the other season we’ve been waiting for all   winter-California Avocado season has begun! Starting this month, you can find the premium, hand grown fruit at your local market. Look for California on the avocado label to make sure you’re selecting this fresh, California-grown fruit. If you are unable to find them, let your produce manager know of your preference!

avacoda season

No matter the meal, the occasion or the flavors you’re craving, California Avocados consistently deliver the fresh and creamy taste that makes any dish a delight. Refresh your palate with this chilled soup recipe from one of our growers: Abbott Family Gazpacho with   California Avocado. Try the simple, yet elegant Fresh California Avocado Crepe Wrap for lunch. Or, find a new love for springtime salads with this hearty and flavorful Fried Chicken Breast Salad with Avocado, Corn, Basil & Housemade Ranch Dressing from Chef Hugh Acheson. The season is ripe for the tasting-start now!By the way I met someone recently that tells me Temecula is now a booming retirement community.

 

avacoda about

Is avocado a fruit or a vegetable

I’ve always been fascinated by avocado. It is such a delicious, creamy and rich treat that’s pretty versatile. You can enjoy it savory as well as sweet dishes. It’s rather healthy but also incredibly rich and fatty. One of the questions that often comes up is this: Is avocado a fruit or a vegetable?

Since it grows on a tree (the avocado tree) and is part of the reproductive organ of the plan that also carries the seed, it is technically / biologically a fruit. We do tend to think of it more as a vegetable though because of the way we use it in the kitchen.

Most of the time we use it in savory dishes and salad. And since avocado aren’t naturally sweet, we don’t think of them as fruit. We add it to salads, make cold soups from it or use it as a sandwich spread. Of course then there’s the ever popular guacamole, a simple avocado dip. Here’s my favorite recipe.

 
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Blueberry Oatmeal Bread

Richard at the office is into baking  he has made some out of this world banana breads, cakes and muffins. He stuck a piece of this in front of me today and said this is great and he was not lying.

This is Heidi from Go bold With Butter  – She must love Ina Garten who uses a lot of butter while cooking.

I’m a lover of quick breads. Pulling together a few ingredients that can be mixed by hand and dumped into one simple pan, then placed in a hot oven to produce a sweet blueberry surprise topped with a pat of butter is what I call a great weekend treat.

The beauty of this recipe is that it comes together so quickly I don’t even have to wait for the weekend to make it. In about the same amount of time it takes to make a morning omelet I can mix the ingredients, then take a quick shower, put on my face and have something fresh from the oven for my daughter before shuttling her off to school.

I love blueberry muffins so adapting the recipe for a quick bread was a natural. Adding heart-healthy oatmeal to the mix gives it a bonus kick start for my daughter’s morning, and a pick-me-up for my afternoon snack.

Blueberry Oatmeal Bread

richard 1
By Heidi
Makes one loaf

Ingredients:

1 cup blueberries
2 cups flour, plus 1 tablespoon
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup Greek yogurt
2 eggs
½ cup (1 stick) butter, melted and cooled slightly
1 teaspoon vanilla
½ cup oats

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper or lightly butter and dust with flour.

In a small bowl, toss blueberries with 1 tablespoon flour to keep blueberries from sinking. In a large bowl, whisk 2 cups flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. In a separate bowl, mix yogurt, eggs, melted butter and vanilla together and then fold into the dry ingredients. Add the blueberries and oats and gently combine.

Scrape the mixture to loaf pan. It will be thick and a little sticky. Bake for 50-55 minutes and golden brown and when a toothpick inserted into the bread comes out clean. Remove from oven and cool in the pan for 5 minutes then cool on a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Related post

Jordan Marsh Blueberry Muffins

Pancakes

Healthy Breakfast Scones