The Freshman Cook: July 2019

If you are a blueberry lover, this is the week for you! I have joined in with some blogging friends to offer a fun and tasty week of blueberry recipes! There are so many lip smacking blueberry ideas to check out, that I think I need a trip to the market for more berries!

I am starting the week with a Blueberry Lemon Naan Bread Appetizer. It is definitely on the sweet side of appetizers, and I think it would make an excellent dessert also. I used a new favorite product I found, called Naan Dippers. They are little Naan Breads that are only 2-3 bites in size. 

This recipe can be made in small pockets of time. The creamy topping and the chunky blueberry sauce can be made and refrigerated until it is time for your event.

 Blueberry Lemon Naan Bread Appetizer
 (makes 10-15 appetizers)
 (printable recipe at end of page)

 Creamy Topping

12 ounces Cream Cheese, softened 
6 tablespoons Sour Cream, softened
2 tablespoon Sugar
1 teaspoon Vanilla

Blueberry Sauce
1/2 cup Sugar
1 teaspoon Lemon Zest
1 pint fresh Blueberries
1/2 teaspoon Cornstarch
1 teaspoon Water
1 tablespoon fresh Lemon Juice 

Naan Bread Dippers

additional Lemon Zest and Blueberries for topping 
Mix together the softened cream cheese and the sour cream. Add in the sugar and the vanilla. Refrigerate until ready to assemble the dish.
 In a medium size pan, add the sugar and the lemon zest. Bring it to a boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves. You will want to do this on a medium low to medium heat. You want to be careful not to burn the sugar. (don’t ask me how I know!!)
Add the blueberries and cook over medium heat, lightly crushing the berries as you are stirring. Do this for about 10 minutes. The berries should be soft be then. While you are waiting the ten or so minutes, add the corn starch and water together in a small bowl. Pour the cornstarch mixture into the sauce and cook until it has thickened just a bit and it is slightly shiny. You will feel it has thickened as you are stirring. Add the lemon juice, stir it into the mix and remove the pan from the heat. Let cool. If you are making ahead, refrigerate.
The naan breads are really too small for the toaster. If you have a toaster oven you might be able to toast them in there. I used the method of toasting in a dry fry pan. Heat the pan, but do not add anything else. Once it is warm, add the breads. Keep an eye on them, turning them whenever you think is best, depending on how toasted you want them. They take approximately 3 minutes per side. If you don’t want the breads toasted, the appetizer will still taste fantastic. The toasting helps keep the breads stiff for eating.
Use a #3M size decorating tip and a decorating bag to squiggle the cream mix onto the toasted Naan bread. You could also spread it on with a knife.
I placed approximately a teaspoon of sauce in the middle of the cream. If you put too much, the blueberry mix will start to fall off. 
 Add a berry or two wherever you think it may need it on each of the breads. Add some lemon zest to make it look pretty. See how the blueberry sauce is following in the lines on the cream made from the #3M decorating tip. That is why I used that tip. I was looking for that effect. 

I hope you will give this recipe a try. If you are a blueberry lover, I know you will love this Blueberry Lemon Naan Bread Appetizer! Let me know what you think and don’t forget to keep reading to find many more blueberry recipes to enjoy!

Thank you to Family Around the Table and Christie from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures for hosting #BlueberryWeek. More than 20 top notch bloggers are sharing a variety of blueberry recipes from breakfast to dessert. Follow #BlueberryWeek on social media so you don’t miss one delicious recipe.

Blueberry Week Recipes

Breakfast
Drinks and Appetizers
Sauces and Spreads
Dinner
Dessert


 Thank you for stopping by today!

Creamy Topping

  • 12 ounces Cream Cheese, softened
  • 6 tablespoons Sour Cream, softened
  • 2 tablespoon Sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla

Blueberry Sauce

  • 1/2 cup Sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Lemon Zest
  • 1 pint fresh Blueberries
  • 1/2 teaspoon Cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon Water
  • 1 tablespoon fresh Lemon Juice

Additional Items Needed

  • Naan Bread Dippers
  • additional Lemon Zest and Blueberries for topping
  1. Mix together the softened cream cheese and the sour cream. Add in the sugar and the vanilla. Refrigerate until ready to assemble the dish.
  2. In a medium size pan, add the sugar and the lemon zest. Bring it to a boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves. You will want to do this on a medium low to medium heat. You want to be careful not to burn the sugar.
  3. Add the blueberries and cook over medium heat, lightly crushing the berries as you are stirring. Do this for about 10 minutes. The berries should be soft be then. While you are waiting the ten or so minutes, add the corn starch and water together in a small bowl. Pour the cornstarch mixture into the sauce and cook until it has thickened just a bit and it is slightly shiny. You will feel it has thickened as you are stirring. Add the lemon juice, stir it into the mix and remove the pan from the heat. Let cool. If you are making ahead, refrigerate.
  4. The naan breads are really too small for the toaster. If you have a toaster oven you might be able to toast them in there. I used the method of toasting in a dry fry pan. Heat the pan, but do not add anything else. Once it is warm, add the breads. Keep an eye on them, turning them whenever you think is best, depending on how toasted you want them. They take approximately 3 minutes per side. If you don’t want the breads toasted, the appetizer will still taste fantastic. The toasting helps keep the breads stiff for eating.
  5. Use a #3M size decorating tip and a decorating bag to squiggle the cream mix onto the toasted Naan bread. You could also spread it on with a knife.
  6. I placed approximately a teaspoon of sauce in the middle of the cream. If you put too much, the blueberry mix will start to fall off.
  7. Add a berry or two wherever you think it may need it on each of the breads. Add some lemon zest to make it look pretty. See how the blueberry sauce is following in the lines on the cream made from the #3M decorating tip. That is why I used that tip. I was looking for that effect.

blueberries, naan bread, cream cheese, fresh blueberries, lemon, blueberry sauce, appetizers, dessert

appetizer, dessert, starter, party food

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