Blackberry Soup With Peaches And Berries Cooking Light Food

BLACKBERRY SOUP

Steps:

• In a heavy saucepan, combine the first eight ingredients. Cook, uncovered, over low heat for 20 minutes or until berries are softened. Remove and discard lime wedge. Strain berry mixture, reserving juice. Press blackberry mixture through a fine meshed sieve; discard seeds. Add pulp to juice. Cover and chill., Set aside 2 tablespoons yogurt for garnish. Combine blackberry mixture and remaining yogurt in a food processor or blender; cover and process until smooth. Ladle into soup bowls. Dollop with reserved yogurt.

PEACHES AND BLACKBERRIES IN BRANDIED BLACKBERRY SAUCE

Steps:

• Slice the peaches, removing the pits. Place in a bowl and toss lightly with the lemon juice.
• Puree half the blackberries through a sieve to remove the seeds and place in a saucepan. Add the sugar and heat until the sugar has dissolved. Stir in the brandy.
• Mix remaining blackberries with the peaches, pour the sauce over the fruit and toss. Refrigerate until ready to serve. If desired, each serving can be topped with creme fraiche.

BLACKBERRY BEEF SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large saucepan. Add the steak and cook over medium-high heat, browning it on both sides, then remove it and set it aside.
• Turn the heat down to low and add the butter and onions to the pan. Stir frequently, scraping up the meat juices to mix with the onions. Cook for about 10 minutes, until the onions are soft.
• Add the broth and bring to a boil, still stirring frequently. Add the mashed berries and honey and simmer for about 20 minutes. Meanwhile, cut the steak into bite-sized strips. Add the steak to the soup near the very end of cooking and allow to simmer for about 30 seconds or so, stirring constantly, then serve hot.

SUMMER PUDDING WITH BLACKBERRIES AND PEACHES

Steps:

• Combine peaches, 1/3 cup sugar and the ginger, if using, in a medium pot over medium heat. Bring to a simmer and cook, swirling occasionally, until the peaches have started to release their juices (but are not falling apart into mush), 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat and transfer to a medium bowl; set aside to cool completely.
• Without rinsing out the pot (there's no need), combine the berries and remaining 1/3 cup sugar. Bring to a simmer and cook, swirling occasionally, until the berries have started to release their juices (but are not falling apart into mush), 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat and transfer to a medium bowl, separate from the peaches; set aside to cool completely.
• Meanwhile, using an electric mixer or a whisk, beat cream and confectioners' sugar until spreadable, pillowy, medium peaks form, 3 to 4 minutes. Whisk in labneh until well blended.
• Line a 9-inch springform cake pan with plastic wrap so that there is ample overhang. (A regular cake pan will also work; just make sure it has high sides or you might need to make the pudding in two vessels.)
• Place one layer of sliced bread on the bottom. Cut the bread to fit as needed to make sure there is an even layer with no obvious gaps (aesthetics don't matter here, as it'll be covered up).
• Spoon 1/3 of the berry juices onto the bread to thoroughly soak, followed by half of the berries themselves. Spoon 1/3 of the peach juices onto the bread and berries, followed by half of the peaches themselves.
• Spread 1/3 of the cream mixture onto the fruit and top with another layer of bread, making sure to fill any obvious gaps with bread that's cut to fit. Top bread with another 1/3 of the berry juices and all of the remaining berries, followed by 1/3 of the peach juices and all of the remaining peaches. Top with 1/3 of the cream mixture, setting the remaining cream mixture aside in the refrigerator.
• Place another layer of bread on top, making sure to fill any obvious gaps, especially around the edges, with bread that's cut to fit. Spoon remaining 1/3 of the blackberry and peach juices on top, making sure to stain the entire surface. Place a piece of plastic wrap on top and then place a plate on top of the plastic. Rest a heavy can (or another medium-sized, relatively heavy, food-safe object) on top to lightly compress the whole shebang. Refrigerate for at least four hours.
• When you're ready to serve, crush a handful of berries with a sprinkling of sugar; let sit for a few minutes. Remove springform sides and plastic wrap. (If using a regular cake pan, lift the pudding out by the excess plastic and transfer the entire pudding to a plate, platter or cake stand, removing plastic wrap.)
• Take the remaining heavy cream mixture and top the pudding, swirling in the crushed berries to create streaks and swirls. Slice (or spoon) the pudding and serve. Pudding can be assembled three days ahead, stored tightly wrapped and refrigerated.

BLACKBERRY SOUP WITH PEACHES AND BERRIES (COOKING LIGHT)

Steps:

• Combine 2 1/2 cups blackberries and water in a medium nonaluminum saucepan. Bring to a simmer; cover and cook 15 minutes or until blackberries are very soft.
• Press blackberry mixture through a sieve over a small bowl, reserving liquid; discard seeds. Combine blackberry liquid, 3 Tbs sugar, and kirsch; cover and chill for at least 2 hours.
• Combine 3 Tbs sugar and peaches; toss gently to coat. Spoon 1/4-1/3 cup blackberry mixture into each of 4 to 6 shallow soup bowls. Arrange 1/3 cup peach slices and about 2 1/2 Tbs blackberries over each serving.