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What fruit is round, red, about as large as a marble with seeds all over it? I’m sure you would say it’s raspberries and now you get a star for that. Hurrah, raspberries are in season. Just another fresh fruit of summer. I really enjoy the sweetness of this berry. However I have issues about the seeds stuck between my teeth after eating them. We have peaches that are almost completely free of fuzz, so when will the raspberries become seedless? Never! I enjoy just eating them out of my hand and have vivid memories of picking berries from the prickly bushes, popping some in my mouth as I picked, if my hands weren’t rubbed with 6-12 mosquito repellent. Yuk!

Raspberries can be used in many ways in recipes for pies, bars, muffins, salads, raspberry sauce  and of course jams and jelly. Let’s get started.

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FRESH RASPBERRY ‘MALLOW PIE
Crust:
1-1/2 c. graham cracker crumbs (about 20 squares – not rectangles)
3 T. sugar                 
1/3 c butter or margarine, melted

Filling:
24 large marshmallows
1/3 c. milk
2/3 c. whipping cream, whipped
Few drops red food coloring, optional
2 c. fresh raspberries, divided

In a medium bowl, combine crust ingredients. Press into a 9-inch pie plate; chill.  In a small saucepan over low heat, heat marshmallows with milk in a saucepan until smooth. Cool. Fold in whipped cream and food coloring, if you wish.  Spoon half into crust. Top with half the berries; repeat layers. Chill until firm, 3-4 hours. Makes 6-8 servings.

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RASPBERRY SPINACH SALAD
3 T. canola oil
2 T. raspberry vinegar
2 T. raspberry jam
1/8 t. pepper
8 c. torn fresh spinach
2 c. fresh raspberries, divided
4 T. slivered almonds, toasted, divided
1/2 c. thinly sliced red onion, cutting slices in half
3 kiwi fruit, peeled and sliced 1/4 –inch thick
1 c. seasoned salad croutons

In a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine first 4 ingredients; shake well.  In a large salad bowl, gently combine spinach, 1 c. berries, 2 T. almonds and onion. Top with kiwi fruit, croutons  remaining berries and almonds. Drizzle with dressing; serve immediately.   Makes 7-8 servings.

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This dessert is quick to make, delightfully pretty and so refreshing to serve on a warm summer day.

POUND CAKE, 
SHERBERT AND
RASPBERRIES
4  slices pound cake (3/4-inch thick)
1 pint raspberry sherbet or flavor of your choice
1 c. fresh raspberries

Place a slice of pound cake on each of 4 dessert plates. Top each slice with a scoop of sherbet and raspberries.  Makes 4 servings. Note:  You can find pound cake in the frozen food section at the grocery store.  You can have these ingredients in your freezer, except for fresh berries, which you can buy in the produce dept.  to make this dessert another time. Also, you can substitute other fresh fruits and flavors of sherbet if you wish.

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Serve this entrée to dinner guests and you will get a lot of compliments.

PORK TENDERLOIN WITH RASPBERRY SAUCE
 1 pork tenderloin (1 lb.), trimmed and cut into 8 slices
1/8 t. cayenne pepper

Sauce:
6 T. red raspberry preserves or jam
2 T. red wine vinegar
1 T. Ketchup
1/2 t. prepared horseradish
1/2 t. soy sauce (low sodium can be used)
1 garlic clove, minced

Garnish:
2 kiwi fruit, peeled and thinly sliced
Fresh raspberries  (about 3/4c.)

Flatten each tenderloin slice to 1-inch thickness; lightly sprinkle with cayenne pepper. In a large skillet coated with cooking spray, cook tenderloin over medium-high heat 3-4 minutes on each side. (Cook four slices at a time, transferring them to a warm plate, covering with foil to keep warm while cooking the remaining four.)

Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, over medium-high heat, combine sauce ingredients. Bring almost to a boil; lower heat and simmer 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Keep warm. Add first four tenderloin slices to skillet a couple minutes before last tenderloins are cooked. (Make sense….read it again.) Place tenderloin slices on a warm serving plate or platter; top with sauce. Garnish with kiwi fruit and berries.  Makes 4 servings.  Voila! A beautiful, palate pleasing entrée!

Thought for the Day: It’s the celebration of Karl Oskar Days!! Don’t forget to buy your K.O. button if you haven’t already. Lots of fun things to take part in, along with State Fair-style food.  Hope for good weather, but if it looks like raindrops from heaven, bring an umbrella or don a rain jacket. As Bud would say, “You won’t melt if you get a little wet.” Let’s not think about what if! Have a fun, safe, rest of the week enjoying all there is to offer at our annual celebration. I’m ready for a great showing of fireworks, sitting on our deck.

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