Berries are very versatile and so good for you. You can make a decadent breakfast somewhat healthy by adding a berry syrup (Berry Simple Syrup) or you can make a savory and sweet spread (Blackberry Basil Jam).

Jana’s Berry Simple Syrup

1 cup of water
1 cup of sugar
1 cup of mixed berries

In a small saucepan, bring sugar and water to a boil; simmer until the sugar is dissolved, 3 minutes. Add the berries and cook them just enough for the juice to mix in. Remove from the heat. Add to pancakes or waffles.

Jana’s Blackberry Basil Jam

4 cups blackberries (you can do smaller batches but not bigger)
4 cups sugar
handful of fresh basil leaves
1 lemon (juice)

Take the basil and sugar and mix them in a food processor until the basil is all ground up with the sugar. In a large sauce pan, put equal parts of blackberries and basil-sugar mix. Add the juice of a lemon and cook the ingredients together until the mix sheets off a cold spoon. Simmer for 20 minutes. Store in jars.

NOTE: You can make smaller batches but not larger.

Courtesy of Jana Graziano, Clear Springs Farm, TN