Friday, October 17, 2008

FOLLOWING THE WINE TRAIL ~ BLACK STAR FARMS (LEELANAU PENINSULA) / BAKED BLUEBERRY BRUNCH

"Good wine is a necessity of life for me."
~ Thomas Jefferson

~ Sunrise at Black Star Farms

"Black Star Farms is a popular agricultural destination located on the beautiful Leelanau Peninsula in northern Michigan. Our Winery and Distillery produce some of the best Michigan wines and spirits. Our luxurious B&B Inn is the perfect place to host private special events including weddings, corporate retreats, and family celebrations. Artisanal cheese and a farm market round out our Suttons Bay site. To try our wines, visit any of our three tasting rooms in Suttons Bay, Traverse City and on the Old Mission Peninsula ...)

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BAKED BLUEBERRY BRUNCH

~ One of the favorites at the Inn at Black Star Farms (BED & BREAKFAST INN ONLINE)

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24 Slices of bread, cubed(may use French bread, brioche, or any type white bread).

1 lb. Cream cheese - cut into cubes

2 C. Blueberries

1/4 C. Orange zest

24 Large eggs

1 qt. Milk

1 C. Maple syrup


Sauce:

3 C. Sugar

2/3 C. Cornstarch

3 C. Water

3 C. Blueberries

1 T. Lemon juice

3 T. Butter

  • Place 1/2 the bread cubes on the bottom of a spray-coated 12x20x2" pan. Scatter cream cheese, 2 C. of blueberries, and orange zest over bread. Place remaining bread cubes over blueberries.
  • Mix together eggs, milk, and maple syrup. Pour evenly over entire pan. Cover and refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.
  • Preheat oven to 350°. Bake covered for 40 minutes. Uncover, bake an additional 30 - 40 minutes, or until puffed, browned, firm and thoroughly cooked. Cut into 24 squares and keep warm.
  • For sauce: in a large pot, thoroughly blend sugar and cornstarch. Stir in water. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until mixture boils, thickens, and turns clear - about 7-8 minutes.
  • Stir in blueberries and simmer until berries burst. Remove from heat and stir in butter and lemon juice. Keep warm.
  • To serve: pour about 1/4 to 1/2 C. sauce over each portion. Serve hot.


11 comments:

Anonymous said...

What gorgeous photos! That recipe sounds delicious and different. Another one to copy off. :)

Kylee Baumle said...

Joey, you always have the most beautiful photos! I see autumn has painted Michigan.

I don't enjoy cooking, and baking is only slightly more enjoyable, but this blueberry stuff sounds yummy! I might have to try it. ;-)

joey said...

Nancy, grab your camera and come for a visit ... I'll cook and drive :)

How can blueberries be bad, Kylee? Thanks dear bloggin' friend.

Anonymous said...

I'm coming too! I'll bring some Scuppernong Muscadine wine! Joey--this is one of my favorites that you've done so far. Ok, I say they are all favorites. But I really like the red outbuildings, the rolling landscape and especially--the photos you captured of the grape vines with the netting.

joey said...

Dearest Anna ... I KNEW you'd hop aboard. With your love of adventure, you can be tour guide (I'll whisper in your ear the details as I drive ;)

Sweet Home and Garden Carolina said...

I'll drink to that Mr. Jefferson !

What a gorgeous farm, Joey. You've piqued my interest in visiting Michigan's wine country.

Got to try that Blueberry Brunch. It sounds so yummy.

Thanks for sharing your beautiful Michigan with us.

joey said...

Hi Carolyn. Blackstar Farms is indeed lovely. We've visited several times and morning is awesome ... first sunrise then waking to sounds of a working farm ~ crowing roosters, neighing horses, etc. And breakfast is the best!

Connie said...

Gorgeous grape collage! Nothings says fall like grapes, apples and pumpkins.

garden girl said...

What a beautiful farm Joey!

I love blueberries, and that recipe sounds awesome.

Some of the tree-covered hills on Leelanau remind me of scenes around my mom's place in southwest Michigan. The fall colors are awsome.

Kerri said...

Joey, this place is gorgeous, and your photos are wonderful! Thanks for sharing the beauty, and oh, that delectable blueberry brunch sounds sublime!!
Thanks for visiting too. You have a way with words :)

joey said...

Thanks Connie. Fall fell upon us for sure ... we are surrounded by harvest gifts.

Welcome Garden Girl ~ as you know Michigan, surrounded by our stunning Great Lakes with thousands of inland lakes and mighty forests, is a visitor's paradise (can you tell I love this state ;)

Thanks dear Kerri ... you are most kind. Visiting you is also a treat.