Almond Streusel Topped Blueberry Muffins

Concluding with my Memorial Day theme of Red, White and Blue recipes, here is "Blue". The sweet, crunchy streusel topping sets this muffin apart.

About.com tells us that blueberries, also known as bilberries, whortleberries and hurtleberries, are named for their velvety, deep-blue color, of course. These luscious berries are one of the few fruits native to North America.

Native Americans used the berries, leaves, and roots for medicinal purposes. The fruit was used as a fabric dye and combined with meat into a nutritious dried jerky.

The shrub is of the genus Vaccinium, from the Latin vacca for cow since cows love them, a fact first noted by Captain James Cook in the late 1700s.

Blueberries are often confused with huckleberries, which are of the Gaylussacia genus.

Blueberries used to be picked by hand until the invention of the blueberry rake by Abijah Tabbutt of Maine in 1822, so it's no wonder that Maine's state berry is the blueberry.

The most popular variety of blueberry is Vaccinium corymbosum, known as the "highbush" blueberry. The wild "lowbush" varieties are a favorite of those who like to pick their own in the wilds.

2 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1 1/2 cups fresh blueberries 1/2 cup butter 3/4 cup white sugar 2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 teaspoon lemon zest 1/2 cup milk 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 5 tablespoons white sugar 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 2 tablespoons butter, diced 1/3 cup toasted, sliced almonds

1.	Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease 12 muffin cups or line with paper muffin liners.
2.	Combine 2 cups flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in medium bowl. In a small bowl, sprinkle 1 to 2 tablespoons flour over blueberries, and set aside. (This simple trick will keep you from having "purple" batter)
3.	In a large bowl, beat 1/2 cup butter with 3/4 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, and stir in vanilla and lemon zest. Fold in dry ingredients alternately with milk. Fold in blueberries. Remember, fold gently, don't stir. Spoon batter into prepared cups.
4.	Combine 2 tablespoons flour, 5 tablespoons sugar ,and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon in a small bowl. Cut in 2 tablespoons butter with fork or pastry blender until mixture resembles course crumbs, add 1/3 cup toasted sliced almonds and gently blend, being careful not to break nuts too much. Sprinkle over batter in muffin cups.
5.	Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center of a muffin comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire rack. These muffins freeze really well, and re-heat in the microwave successfully.