blackberries

photo by kristen bach

wild blackberry cobbler

yesterday we went back to our friends wild blackberry patch so we could make a cobbler.  after an hour of picking and many poked hands later we all brought them inside to assemble our cobbler.  the house was soon filled with the smell of summer and chatter of summer memories from childhood.  a perfect summer afternoon!

wild blackberry cobbler
5-6 cups of wild blackberries...or however many you can find
a heaping spoonful of flour
a cup or so of sugar
the biscuit top
1 1/4 cup of AP flour
1/2 cup salt (add more or less to get to your desired sweetness)
1 1/2 tsp of baking powder
a pinch of salt
1 1/3 tsp of vanilla
1 egg
1 stick of chilled unsalted butter, cut up into small pieces
-pre- heat oven to 375 degrees
-mix the berry mixture in a cast iron skillet
-mix all of the biscuit ingredients together and spoon on top of the berries
-bake until golden brown, about 40 minutes
 

photos and recipes by kristen bach

allium sweet pea blackberry

photographs by rinne allen

blackberry plum shrub

this weekend we were at a friends house that had a field of wild blackberries that were just starting to ripen.  while picking some berries i also found a little grove of wild plums that were ripe as well.  we picked a bunch and made a delicious shrub when we got home.  it has been the perfect drink to sip on through these hot hot days that are upon us.
blackberry and plum shrub
1 1/2 cup berries and plums
1 1/2 cup sugar
1 cup (more or less to taste) apple cider vinegar
-in a clean bowl, mash your berries and plums
-add sugar and combine
-cover and let your berries marinate for 2-3 days
-stir your berries each day
-using a colander with small holes or use cheese cloth, drain the fruit juices into a sterilized mason jar
-add vinegar
-place in fridge for up to 6 months
-when making a drink simply add a couple of tablespoons to some soda water, prosecco, or mix up a cocktail.
-enjoy!!
 

blackberry lily vignette

photograph by rinne allen