Driscoll's Blueberry Bread Pudding with Spiced Blueberry Sauce Recipe And A Giveaway

Last day for my Driscoll’s recipes! Today it’s blueberries! Blueberry muffins are my favorite muffins. Today’s Driscoll’s recipe actually made my mouth water when I saw the picture.

Blueberries

Small yet mighty, Driscoll’s Blueberries are one of nature’s healthiest and most versatile foods. Blueberries contain more free radical-fighting antioxidants than any other berry, which helps to protect against cancer, heart disease, and the effects of aging. Plus, they’re loaded with fiber to help control blood sugar and keep you full longer.

Aside from the well-known antioxidant powers of blueberries, recent research studies have identified compounds in blueberries that can promote urinary tract health and reduce the risk of infection. Other studies have shown that a diet supplemented with blueberries helps to increase motor skill function.

The seemingly infinite health benefits of Driscoll’s Blueberries make them the ideal fruit to add to your daily diet:

At breakfast, stir Driscoll’s blueberries into your hot or cold cereal, or blend your favorite berry combination into an on-the-go protein smoothie.

For lunch, mix Driscoll’s Blueberries with Driscoll’s Strawberries, Blackberries and Raspberries for a refreshing fruit salad.

Enjoy any protein at dinner drizzled with a delicious Driscoll’s Blueberry sauce by simply simmering the health-packed berry and cooking wine over low heat.

A one-cup serving of blueberries provides:
80 Calories with 1g Protein and no Fat
25% of your day’s supply of Vitamin C
14% of your day’s supply of Fiber
2% of your day’s supply of Folic Acid
2% of your day’s supply of Iron
5,486 ORAC Value (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity measures antioxidant levels)

Blueberry Bread Pudding with Spiced Blueberry Sauce
Prep time: 20 minutes, plus 30 minutes or overnight stand time
Bake Time: 60-70 minutes
Makes 12 Servings

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, divided
12 lightly packed cups (3/4 inch cubes) Italian bread (about 1 lb. bread)
8 large eggs
2 cups heavy cream
2 cups 1% milk
1 cup granulated sugar
1-1/2 tablespoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon each ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 package (6 ounces) Driscoll’s Blueberries
Powdered sugar
Spiced Blueberry Sauce – recipe below

Butter a shallow 3 qt. baking dish with 1 tablespoon butter.
Melt half the remaining butter in a wide skillet. Add half the bread cubes; toss and stir frequently until lightly browned. Transfer to a bowl. Repeat with remaining butter and bread cubes.
Whisk eggs, cream, milk, granulated sugar, vanilla, nutmeg and salt in a large bowl.
Add bread cubes and blueberries. Stir until bread is evenly moistened; pour into prepared baking dish. Let stand 30 minutes or cover and refrigerate up to 12 hours.
Preheat oven to 350F. Place baking dish in a large roasting pan. Add boiling water to halfway up sides of baking dish.
Bake 60-70 minutes, until knife inserted in center comes out slightly wet. (Cover top with foil if browning too quickly during baking.) Cool slightly. Dust with powdered sugar and serve with warm Spiced Blueberry Sauce.

Spiced Blueberry Sauce

2 packages (6 ounces each) Driscoll’s Blueberries
2 cups granulated sugar
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cardamom
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Purée blueberries in a food processor or blender; pour into a medium saucepan. Add granulated sugar; bring to a boil. Boil over medium heat for 5 minutes.
Press berries through a mesh sieve into a bowl or pitcher. Stir in lemon juice and spices. Cool. Cover and refrigerate up to 3 days. Reheat in microwave to warm.

Nutrition Per Serving: 449 calories, 27.44g total fat, 15.62g saturated fat, 9.88g protein, 41.25g carbohydrate, 217.71mg cholesterol, 1.37g fiber, 350mg sodium

Lighten Up:
the recipe: Substitute 4 cups 1% milk for heavy cream and milk.

Healthy Tip:

Warm-from-the-oven bread pudding is a comfort food classic. If prepared ahead and refrigerated before baking, add about 10 minutes to the bake time.

Do you need a tissue? I do because that makes me drool. Want to try making some? I’ll give you the blueberries, 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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Leave an additional comment for each entry you qualify for. You must have completed the first entry according to the instructions to be eligible for any bonus entries.

THE SMALL PRINT.

US addresses only please. This contest will end on Thursday 07/30/09 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.