Blueberry Lemonbalm Gluten Free Pie

Hey y'all-It's 93 degrees outside today...

and you may think I'm crazy but I am inside  

 Baking. 

I don't have air conditioning and no joke, 

its 91 sizzling degrees inside my apartment.

The box fan is spinning, 

and I'm drinking a Lemon balm Lemonade with Osha Honey*

...

mmmmmmmmmmmmm 

(*myrecipe below)

 One of my favorite plants of all time is Lemon balm:

Melissa officinalis.

"Melissa" is greek for honey bee, so named because of the small white flowers that appear on the plant in the summer which attract bees.

Lemonbalm is also known as the "gladdening" herb for its affects on mood and has been cultivated for over 2000 years.

It is a  calming herb that helps with anxiety, is a mild antidepressant and was used as a drink to ensure longevity.

Lemon Balm's spicy, lemony scent is especially useful with cranky little ones..crush the fresh leaves between your fingers and let them smell.  It works wonders. 

lavenderkitty

I have to admit, this works for cranky big people too.

Other medicinal uses:

-Antiviral, esp. useful for Herpes Simplex Virus

-Insomnia (I've made a tincture with lemonbalm, hyssop and hops   

  called "larky go to sleepy")

-Hot flashes

-Headache

-Hyperthyroidism 

-Fevers

-Relieves spasms in the digestive tract

-Colds and Flus

-Fresh leaves used to soothe insect bites

P.s. lemon balm is contraindicated for those with hypothyroid

Cooking in the summer time with the fresh plant is especially fun. 

And this, my friends, is the reason I'm inside

on such a hot day, 

with the oven on.

Let's make a Gluten Free 

 Blueberry Lemon Balm Pie! 

 

InIngredients:

Ingredients:

8 cups frozen organic blueberries 
1 granny smith apple, peeled and grated
3 Tbs raw agave
zest of 1 lemon, and juice
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Handful of Lemon balm leaves
3 T tapioca flour
1 gluten-free pie crust

 

Directions:

Cook 3 of the cups of blueberries on medium heat for 6-8 minutes. Mash the blueberries with a potato masher to release some of the juice. Remove cooked blueberries and add to large bowl. Ciffonade and then chop the Lemon balm. Add the rest of the ingredients (including the rest of the frozen blueberries) and toss together. Pour into gluten-free pie crust. Bake at 400 degrees F for 35 minutes, then lower the heat to 350 and bake for another 40-60 minutes.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from "The perfect gluten/sugar-free blueberry pie" at laurelsimpson.com

Making the pie!

In the HOT oven

Ready to eat!

Top your pie with a feathery whipped cream or vegan topping. Coconut cream would be divine too.

Oh! Oh! How could I forget?  

Top it with a smooth organic vanilla bean ice cream.

Are you melting yet?  I am. 

Swoon.

*Lemon balm Lemonade with Honey

Ingredients:

2 Lemons

Fresh or Dried Lemon balm

Honey (Osha or Lavender are especially good)

Water

Directions:  

Boil water and make a lemon balm tea. Steep the plant for a minimum of 30 minutes to overnight.  Chill the lemons.  Once steeping is done chill the tea. Juice the 2 lemons. Add 16 oz of the lemon balm tea and the lemon juice to a jar with a lid.  Add honey to taste. Shake the lidded jar vigorously. Drink!