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Growing Chefs! Ontario Wojapi

Wojapi

“Wojapi is a traditional berry sauce enjoyed by many Indigenous communities, made by slowly cooking down berries to highlight their natural sweetness and flavour. Using seasonal berries connects this dish to the land and time of year; in late spring and early summer.”
Difficulty
Beginner
Yield
Serves 8
Ingredients
2 cups fresh seasonal berries1/2 cup water1 to 2 tablespoons maple syrup1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
Equipment
Measuring cupsMeasuring spoonsMedium potWooden spoonBowls, various sizesCutting boardChef's knife

Directions

Get Organized!

Gather your mise en place; get together all of the equipment needed for the recipe and gather your ingredients.

Get Prepped!

Rinse the berries gently under cool water and remove any stems if needed. If the berries are large, cut them into halves or quarters.

Measure the water, maple syrup, and lemon juice.

Get Cooking!

Place the berries and water into a medium saucepan and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.

Cook the berries for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they begin to break down and release their juices.

Using the back of a spoon, gently mash some of the berries to create a thicker, sauce-like consistency while still leaving some whole pieces for texture.

If desired, stir in the maple syrup to taste, depending on the sweetness of the berries. Add the lemon juice and stir to combine.

Continue to simmer for another 5 to 10 minutes, until the sauce has thickened slightly.

Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly before serving.