Berry lovers, prepare your palates! Much to our delight, spring berry season is here, followed by the bounty of summer’s berries.

My mouth waters at the thought of these royal members of the fruit family. Perfectly balanced sweet-tart flavors and jewel-like colors of seasonal berries inspire my kitchen creativity. Creamy, berried desserts especially come to mind. My berry creations have a rich, satisfying taste thanks to delicious fat-free evaporated milk which complements the berries while not weighing me down.

Strawberry Cheesecake Pie is a berry-lover’s dream, suitable for company and family alike. Fat-free evaporated milk offers more body than regular fat-free milk, offering a creamy, rich mouth feel. Along with fat-free cream cheese, fat-free evaporated milk provides the indulgent-taste while making this a guilt-free dessert. For an after-school treat, or for a satisfying lunch, a special smoothie made with berries hits the hungry spot. Fat-free evaporated milk has twice the calcium and protein of regular fat-free milk and coupled with antioxidant-rich berries, this combination provides delicious nutrition.

When your basket is overflowing with a bounty of berries enjoy one of my favorite super-satisfying creamy desserts, or visit www.VeryBestBaking.com for other berry delicious treats.

Strawberry Cheesecake Pie
(Makes 8 servings)

1 prepared 9-inch (6 ounces) graham cracker crumb crust
2/3 cup (5 fluid-ounce can) Nestlé Carnation Evaporated Fat Free Milk
1 large egg
1 package (8 ounces) fat-free cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel

PREHEAT oven to 325? F.

PLACE evaporated milk, egg, cream cheese, sugar, flour and lemon peel in blender; cover. Blend until smooth. Pour into crust.

BAKE for 35 to 40 minutes or until center is set. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Arrange strawberries on top of pie; drizzle with jelly. Refrigerate well before serving.

Nutrition Information per serving: 240 calories; 60 calories from fat; 6 g total fat; 1.5 g saturated fat; 30 mg cholesterol; 310 mg sodium; 39 g carbohydrate; 1 g fiber; 27 g sugars; 8 g protein; 40% daily value calcium

Blueberry Pomegranate Smoothie with Honey & Orange
(Makes 4 servings)

1 can (12 fluid ounces) Nestlé Carnation Evaporated Fat Free or Lowfat 2% Milk
2 cups frozen or fresh blueberries
1 cup pomegranate juice
1/4 cup frozen orange juice concentrate
2 tablespoons honey or more to taste
1/2 cup ice cubes

PLACE evaporated milk, blueberries, juice, concentrate, honey and ice in blender; cover. Blend until smooth. Pour into tall glasses and serve immediately.

COOKING TIP: Substitute cranberry juice for pomegranate juice, if desired.

Nutrition Information per serving: 200 calories; 5 calories from fat; .5 g total fat; 0 g saturated fat; 5 mg cholesterol; 100 mg sodium; 44 g carbohydrate; 2 g fiber; 39 g sugars; 7 g protein; 25% daily value calcium