Sunshine Fruit Butter Food

SUNFLOWER SEED BUTTER

Steps:

• Place sunflower seeds into the jar or bowl of a high-powered blender or food processor, respectively. Pulse the sunflower seeds until they are finely chopped.
• Process or blend on a low speed for 1 minute continuously, then stop the machine and scrape down the sides. The sunflower seed will be dry and gritty.
• Process or blend on a low speed a second time for 1 minute continuously, then stop the machine and scrape down sides. The sunflower seed butter will start to form a clumpy paste. If using raw sunflower seeds, you may need to add 1-2 tablespoons unflavored oil to facilitate the blending.
• Process or blend on a low speed a third time for 1 minute continuously, then stop the machine and scrape down sides. The sunflower seed butter will be thick and grainy at this point. Add more oil, if needed.
• Process or blend on a medium speed fourth time for 1 to 2 minutes longer. The sunflower seed butter should be creamy and smooth at this point. It may be hot to the touch, so allow it to cool before transferring to a jar. If using sugar or salt, add it now and process or blend again to combine (I like 1/4 cup brown sugar and 1 teaspoon salt).
• The sunflower seed butter will keep in a covered container in the refrigerator for several months, but can also be kept at room temperature for a couple of weeks.

LEMON-BLUEBERRY SUNSHINE TART

Steps:

• For the shortbread crust: Position an oven rack in the bottom third of the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Combine the flour, butter, confectioners' sugar and salt in a food processor. Pulse until the mixture resembles coarse meal with some pea-sized pieces. Add the egg and pulse until the dough comes together, about 1 minute. Remove 1/3 cup of the dough and set aside. Press the remaining dough into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch tart pan. Prick the dough all over with a fork.
• To form the star, start by folding a 40-inch-long-by-2 1/2-inch-wide piece of foil into an accordion (there should be about 24 folds, each 1 1/2-inches long); this will become the support for forming your star inside the tart pan. Let the foil open like an accordion and place it in the tart pan in a circle; connect and overlap the end points so that you have an 11-point star.
• Roll the reserved 1/3 cup dough into a 27-inch-long rope. Use a rolling pin to flatten the rope into a 34-inch-long-by-1-inch wide strip (if the dough sticks to the surface, use a small offset spatula and quickly run it underneath the strip to loosen it). Carefully transfer the strip to the tart pan and form it around the inside of the foil to create the star shape with the dough (if the dough breaks, just use your fingers and the support wall to form it back together). Once formed, press the bottom of the star shape to adhere firmly to the bottom crust (it will feel like playdough and can easily be molded).
• Bake until the crust is set and turns a light golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool slightly, about 30 minutes. Carefully remove the foil and discard.
• Meanwhile, for the lemon curd: Whisk the sugar, lemon juice, eggs, yolk and milk in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat until combined. Add the butter a few pieces at a time and whisk continuously until the mixture is thick and coats the back of a spoon, 8 to 10 minutes. Strain the curd through a sieve if any lumps form. Pour the curd into the center star of the tart.
• For the blueberry filling: Mix the blueberries, preserves, sugar, flour, lemon zest and lemon juice in a medium bowl until well combined and the berries look glossy. Spoon the mixture around the perimeter of the star where there is no curd.
• Bake until the curd is set, 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool slightly, about 30 minutes. Refrigerate to cool completely, 4 hours and up to overnight. Serve cold.

SUNSHINE FRUIT BUTTER

Steps:

• Place fruit in a large saucepan and cook over low heat until soft, adding small amounts of water if necessary to prevent scorching.
• Puree fruit in a blender or food processor or using an immersion blender.
• Measure puree.
• Return puree to saucepan - you should have about 4 cups of puree. Add lime juice and sugar.
• Cook over medium-low heat, stirring often until mixture has thickened. This could take as little as 15 minutes, or as long as an hour - depending on the size of your saucepan and today's humidity.
• Ladle into hot, clean jars leaving about ¼ inch head space. Top with the two-piece lids and rings, and process in a water bath for 10 minutes.

CITRUS SUNSHINE POUND CAKE

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Generously spray a 10-cup Bundt pan with nonstick baking spray with flour.
• Add the butter, sugar, salt, baking powder, vanilla, oil and citrus zests to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat on medium speed for 4 minutes. Stop the mixer and scrape the bowl and beater. Add the eggs, 2 at a time, beating on medium speed for 30 seconds after each addition. Scrape the bowl.
• Add 1 1/2 cups cake flour and blend on low to combine. Add the cream and buttermilk and blend on low to combine. Scrape the bowl. Add the remaining 1 1/2 cups cake flour, blending on low to combine and then raise the mixer to medium speed and beat for 4 minutes. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan.
• Bake the cake until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with a few moist crumbs, 65 to 70 minutes. The cake will rise to fill the pan and will settle slightly once removed from the oven.
• Meanwhile, for the syrup: While the cake bakes, juice the lemon and oranges to make 1/2 cup of citrus juice. Transfer the juice to a small saucepan and add the sugar. Bring the mixture to a simmer and swirl the pan to dissolve the sugar. Turn off the heat. Reserve the syrup at room temperature while the cake bakes.
• When you've removed the cake from the oven, use a toothpick to pierce the top crumb of the cake about 30 times and then slowly pour the syrup evenly over the hot cake. Cool the cake in the pan for about 30 minutes before turning out of the pan on a wire rack to cool completely before serving.

SUNSHINE SMOOTHIE

Steps:

• Put the ingredients in a blender and whizz until smooth. Drink straight away or pour into a bottle to drink on the go. Will keep in the fridge for a day.