Saskatoon Berry Soup

So, Saskatoon berries are like the Swiss Army knife of ingredients - you can throw them into soups, stews, meat dishes, pemmican, and dried cakes. Oh, and did you know that Saskatoon berry juice is a go-to remedy for tummy troubles and it can even give you a gentle nudge in the bathroom department? Plus, the juice can double up as eye drops and eardrops. And get this, you can fashion arrows and pipes from the stems of Saskatoon berries! But hey, for me, Saskatoon berries are all about nostalgia and bringing back those childhood memories.

It is my childhood in a bowl.

Wow! The look, smell, and taste of it all transport me back to the wonderful memories of my childhood in my grandma's house in the cozy Dene community of Meander River. It's like reliving my childhood in a single bowl! Whenever my mom prepares it for me now, I can't help but reminisce about carefree days running through the tall grass, splashing in the river, and being surrounded by the fragrant scents of freshly dug carrots and tanned moose hide.

I've always been a fan of having my food with a bit of a kick. I usually add two extra scoops of sugar and a dollop of butter to make it just right. It goes perfectly with some lazy bannock (fry bread). My favorite way to enjoy it is by dipping the bannock in the soup and savoring every last bit - that's how I always finish off the bowl, soaking up all the remaining soup with my bannock.

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SASKATOON BERRY SOUP

INGREDIENTS

• 6 cups Saskatoon berries

• 1 cup sugar

• 8 cups water

• Optional:

• 1/3 cup flour

• 1 cup water

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add sugar and berries, let water and sugar boil at medium heat for 20 minutes. Optional: To thicken soup, gradually add the mixture of flour and water (no lumps).

2. Stir the soup occasionally, making sure it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pot. Additional sugar can be added to sweeten. Boil for at least another 15 – 20 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand for 5 minutes.

3. Serve hot and enjoy!!
   

Average cooking time: 40 – 60 minutes

~mahsi!