Stoneridge Orchards: Berry Mix

            I just love trying new recipes of all sorts especially those with juicy fruits exploding with flavors like peaches, raspberries, blueberries and cherries!  Adding a flavorful burst to an ordinary bowl of oatmeal with some dried fruits kicks it up a couple of notches.  Dried fruits have always been a healthy.  Fruit topping that I would use in things such as salads and yogurts.  I must admit I especially love them when they are covered in a chocolate covering!

For “Stoneridge Orchards” it all began in Washington with a modern homestead lottery. The winner would own 160 acres of land for farming in central Washington.  In 1962 Karl Dorsing always dreamed of owning his own land and farm.  He then entered the contest winning both the land and his dream.  Therefore he moved his family from Salem Oregon to Royal city Washington where he and his family would begin their farming.  The Dorsing family has been growing organic and all natural cherries, raspberries, peaches, blueberries and apples from that day on.

In 2006 they built a processing facility. It is used to dry and freeze their fruits for manufactures to buy. The fruit was used in granola bars, muffin mixes and many more delicious products.  In 2010 the Dorsing family began marketing Stoneridge Orchards as their own brand. In addition they began adding dark chocolate and Greek yogurt to their fruits. As a result more customers enjoy the already irresistible dried fruits.

Facts

            Stoneridge Orchards’ products are completely organic and grown in the United States.  They do not use any artificial colors or preservatives in any product.  Nor do they ever use any sulfates, high fructose corn syrup, or hydrogenated oils during growth or packaging.

Suggestions

I personally love all the things you can do with dried fruits. They are a delicious light snack that you can take with you virtually anywhere from work to a simple walk or car ride.  So do not forget to get yourself a few bags at Stoneridge Orchards for an amazing combination with Greek yogurt.

 

Here are a couple of great recipes to try out

BREAKFAST POLENTA WITH DRIED BLUEBERRIES

INGREDIENTS

• 4 cups water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup instant polenta cornmeal
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 3/4 cup Stoneridge Orchards dried blueberries

 

DIRECTIONS

1. Bring water and salt to a boil. Slowly pour in the polenta, whisking the whole time so it doesn’t clump.
2. Once smooth, add honey, cinnamon, butter, and vanilla. Stir for about 3 minutes. Remove from heat, add blueberries.
3. Pour the mixture into a 9 x13 cake pan and spread out to all sides. Place in the refrigerator for an hour until it is solid and cool.
4. Remove from refrigerator and cut into squares.
5. Heat a grill pan or a skillet with butter and grill or sauté the polenta squares until browned or until grill marks appear.
6. Serve with powdered sugar and maple syrup.