November 30, 2020

Organic Mixed Berry Cobbler

Organic Mixed Berry Cobbler

Just about every ingredient I cook with is organic, which is inherent in the African American Heritage Diet approach. So, because I use the term “organic” herein the title, it has a purpose. The Organic Mixed Berry Cobbler needs to be exactly that because berries are number one on the Dirty Dozen list. The Dirty Dozen are the twelve fruits and vegetables that retain the most pesticides even following washing.

The Blacker the Berry, the Sweeter the Juice

Despite their high levels of antioxidants, berries always top the list of the Dirty Dozen, specifically strawberries. The porous texture of the skin may have something to do with it. Blueberries are number 17 on the list of fruits and vegetables retaining high amounts of pesticides. My favorite and the berry used in traditional African American cuisine, the blackberry, did not appear to have been tested. Researchers found that women who consume produce high in pesticides had lower fertility rates. While logically, the opposite is true; women who consume organic produce, along with other nutritious foods like whole grains and folic acid, are more likely to have healthy pregnancies.

Butter Be Ready

The butter you use when making desserts can signify the difference between the crowd clamoring for more versus mediocrity. The imported butters from New Zealand and Ireland tend to have less salt, yes even the salted versions. So, I recommend using Organic Valley or Humboldt Creamery Salted Butter, the type I used here, if you can find it. In fact, I combined a bit of Earth Balance Organic Buttery Spread in this cobbler – it came out so good! If you are a plant based purist, or simply want to avoid dairy, go to my Vegan Blueberry Cobbler for the simple straight forward instructions. Any way you slice it, the Organic Mixed Berry Cobbler is sure to become a staple in your dessert repertoire.

This year I am participating with Natasha Nicholes and some wonderful bakers in the Houseful of Cookies annual, virtual cookie hop. Check out their fantastic cookie recipes below:

Houseful Of Nicholes – Dumpster Cookies {that’s me!}
Divas With A Purpose – Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies
Day By Day In Our World – Gluten Free Double Chocolate Chip & Craisin Oatmeal Cookies
Honest & Truly – Spiced Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies
Love Jaime – Snowball Cookies
How Was Your Day? – Lingonberry Thumbprints
Mama Harris’ Kitchen – Cranberry Pistachio Citrus Cookies
This Worthey Life – White Chocolate Cranberry & Toffee Cookies
Someday I’ll Learn – Easiest Christmas Cookies
Life Of A Ginger – Chocolate Candy Cane Kiss Cookies
100 Directions – Easy Chocolate Peppermint Fudge Brownie Mix Cookies
Brooklyn Active Mama – Red Velvet Cheesecake Cookies
Sugar, Spice, and Glitter – Glazed Gingerbread Cookies
Good Girl Gone Redneck – Peanut Butter Nutella Sugar Cookies
Collards Are the Old Kale – Chocolate Laced Triple Ginger Cookies
This Mamas Life – Cherry Bits

An Organic Mixed Berry Cobbler of blackberries, blueberries and strawberries topped with vanilla ice cream is a dream.

Organic Mixed Berry Cobbler

The Organic Mixed Berry Cobbler marries a rich, buttery crust with sweet yet slightly tart blueberries, blackberries and strawberries. A more perfect union could not exist.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 5 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine African American
Servings 6 people

Equipment

  • Measuring Cups
  • Measuring Spoons
  • Pastry Blender or Two Knives
  • Small Mixing Bowl
  • 9½ inch Square Baking Dish

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups Organic Flour
  • 1 tsp Real Salt
  • 1⅓ cup Organic Butter, room temperature Vegan: Earth Balance Organic Whipped Buttery Spread
  • 16 ounces Organic Mixed Berries, Frozen or Fresh
  • ½ cup Organic Sugar
  • 4 tbsp Ice Water
  • Organic Cardamom
  • Organic Nutmeg

Instructions
 

  • Evenly mix flour and salt into the bowl.
  • Remove about ¼ of the mixture and set aside.
  • With pastry blender, your fingers or two knives, roughly cut in 1 cup of softened butter.
  • Place the bowl with the mixture into the freezer for at least one hour or more.
  • Remove bowl and allow to sit for about 10 minutes.
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  • Butter 9½ inch baking dish making sure the corners are lubricated.
  • Make a paste of the ¼ cup of flour and some of the ice water.
  • Sprinkle the paste over the flour/butter mixture.
  • Quickly blend together using a fork or your hands until flour is moistened and can be pressed into a ball. Add more ice water if necessary. Over mixing can lead to pastry being tough.
  • Roll out on lightly floured surface to ⅛ thickness. (You can press the bottom crust directly into the baking dish.)
  • Add room temperature berries, sugar and ⅓ cup butter cut into small pieces.
  • Sprinkle with cardamom and nutmeg.
  • Cover with top crust or create a lattice design by cutting dough into strips with a knife. If covering completley with crust, using a sharp knife, cut at least three slits into the center of the dough so that the pie can breathe.
  • Sprinkle a little sugar on top of the cobbler and bake for approximately 35 minutes.
  • Allow to cool and serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
Keyword African American Cuisine, African Heritage Diet, Baking, Best Vegan Dessert, Best Vegan Pie, Best Vegan Pie Crust, Buttery Pie Crust, Christmas, Cobbler, Desserts, Healthy Dessert, Holidays, Pie, Plant Based, Soul Food, Southern Cooking, Vegan, Vegan Cobbler, Vegan Pie
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