There is a blueberry farm down in Harrow that I have not seen the likes of anywhere else. Klassen Blueberry Farm is huge, with pick-your-own or ready-pick, blueberry milkshakes, and fresh blueberry pie (a la mode) by the slice. It is a summertime tradition down in Essex county, one that is a little taken for granted if you're living locally, but sorely missed if you've flown the proverbial coop.
Alan received an email from a friend last night who asked if I might have any good recipes for a blueberry dessert. I started thinking about it and this morning and I pulled out all of Klassen's recipe pamphlets. Each summer they publish a little pamphlet with last years Harrow Fair prize-winning blueberry recipes, blueberry information, and the blueberry hotline phone # - to call and find out what the status of the blueberries is on any given day. I came across a recipe that my Mom made a couple of years ago, Blueberry Oat Squares. Very easy and very good, a 2nd place winner at the fair in 2005 (submitted by a Mrs. M. Mass).
The prizes for winning the "Klassen Blueberry Dessert Special" are 1st-$100 and 2nd-$50. The catch is that winners must present the Klassen family with a fresh blueberry dessert by Sept. 30th to receive the prize money. The recipe must accompany the dessert.
Blueberry Oat Squares
Blueberry Mixture:
2 1/2 c. blueberries
1/4 c. sugar
1/2 c. water
1 t. fresh lemon juice
1 t. grated lemon peel
2 T. cornstarch
Combine sugar and cornstarch. Whisk in water and lemon juice until smooth. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Stir in blueberries. Cook until thickened and bubbly. Remove from heat & let cool.
Oat Crust:
1 1/2 c. rolled oats
1 c. brown sugar, packed
1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1 t. baking soda
3/4 c. butter, melted
Combine ingredients for oat crust. Press half of the mixture in an 8x8 greased pan. Add blueberry mixture. Top with rest of the crumble. Bake at 350 degrees for about 35 minutes.
