By Donna Rose RDN, LDN Is the MIND diet the ‘secret sauce’ for avoiding dementia? Over the course of their lives, some adults have periods of forgetfulness. For instance, they can’t find their keys, or where they put their eyeglasses. Their busy lives keep them [Continue Reading]
What is the risk of a Vitamin C deficiency for you? We all need Vitamin C in our diets. Sixty percent of adults do not consume adequate amounts. Therefore, potentially leading to Vitamin C deficiency symptoms. Vitamin C is responsible for multiple aspects of our [Continue Reading]
Recipes with Aronia berries have made their way into my kitchen!
Aronia berries are native to and grown in the eastern part of North America. Initially, Native Americans used these berries to cure colds. They are small dark berries in the Rosaceae family. They grow in wet areas or swamps and eaten raw, they have a very dry and sour taste. Today the berries are used in the commercial production of jams, wine, and juice.
I made this Aronia Berry and Banana Bread by adding the berries to my favorite banana bread recipe.
Consequently, they are showing up more and more in home kitchens. Recipes with Aronia berries have a tasty “tang”, beautiful color and texture. Experiment with them. For example, add them to cakes, pies, bread, and smoothies to boost flavor and nutrition.
In the marketplace or on the farm
Recently, my husband brought home a large basket of Aronia berries from Distillery Lane Ciderworks (DLC), an apple orchard, and farm in Jefferson, Maryland. He is the cidermaker there on weekends and processes the best hard cider! But that is a story for another post.
While Aronia berries are not yet available in all supermarkets, I have seen them in Whole Foods. On their websites, MOM’s Organic Market and Trader Joes also mention them.
I wasn’t aware they had Aronia berry shrubs on the farm at DLC and was excited when my husband brought them home. Having some ripe bananas that needed to be used, I decided to make an Aronia Berry and Banana Bread.
Quick to mix up
All the ingredients were ones I had on hand, therefore it was super easy to mix them up quickly. I literally added all the ingredients, except the berries, into one bowl. Then I mixed everything until it was well blended. Next, I gently folded in the berries being careful not to crush them.
I spooned the batter into the lightly greased bread pan and topped it with the slivered almonds. Adding almonds gives the bread a little more fiber and helps lower cholesterol. Always trying to make it healthier!
I put the bread on the center rack of the oven which I preheated to 325 degrees F. After about 30 minutes, the aroma in the kitchen was amazing and the bread was looking great! I took it out of the oven after 50 minutes when the top was nicely browned and the edges were pulled away from the sides of the pan.
The end result was delicious! The bread is moist. Both the banana and Aronia berry flavors are evident and blend well. The almonds on top give it a nice “crunch”. Next, I plan to try an Aronia Berry and Raw Apple Cake and Aronia Berry Oatmeal cookies. Stay tuned!
This moist Aronia Berry and Raw Apple Cake, chuck-full of antioxidant-rich Aronia berries, will send you back for more! Autumn is just around the corner and with it comes apple season. The time of year that reminds me of mom’s delicious pies and apple crisps. [Continue Reading]