Is fresh always the best choice?

McClatchy Newspapers (MCT) - As summer wanes, value-conscious shoppers know a pint of fresh blueberries can wind up costing a pretty penny. A recent check of four local supermarkets produced wildly fluctuating prices _ anywhere from $2.88 to $4.99 a pint.

Looking for a bargain? Consider trolling the freezer case.

Cook's Illustrated found frozen blueberries were actually sweeter than fresh ones shipped long distances because they are picked at the peak of ripeness and individually quick frozen, known as IQF. If properly handled, frozen fruits and vegetables have the same nutritional benefits as fresh, the FDA reports.

The Star's Balsamic Glazed Pork Chops With Blueberry Wine Sauce combines fresh or frozen blueberries with red wine. Like blueberries, red wine is naturally high in resveratrol, a powerful antioxidant that may lower bad cholesterol, protect against heart disease and slow age-related memory loss.

Shopping tips: When buying frozen berries, check the bag to make sure there are no clumps, indicating the berries have thawed and refrozen.

A "dry" wine means all the sugar from the grapes has been converted to alcohol during the fermentation process. Typical dry red wines include Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Pinot Noir and Merlot. But if you're looking for something more unusual, try Sangiovese, Malbec, Carmenere or Temperanillo. If you do not drink wine, substitute grape juice.

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BALSAMIC GLAZED PORK CHOPS WITH BLUEBERRY WINE SAUCE

Makes 4 servings

Âľ cup fresh or frozen blueberries, thawed and drained if frozen

½ cup dry red wine

2 teaspoons olive oil

4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, divided

2 teaspoons fresh squeezed lemon juice, divided

½ teaspoon dried thyme leaves

ÂĽ teaspoon salt, divided

ÂĽ teaspoon pepper

1 pound boneless pork loin chops, cut Âľ to 1 inch thick

4 teaspoons brown sugar

½ teaspoon cornstarch

Combine blueberries and wine in a small saucepan. Cook, uncovered, over medium heat 15 minutes, stirring occasionally and pressing down with the back of the spoon to extract the juice.

Combine olive oil, 2 tablespoons vinegar, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, thyme, 1/8 teaspoon salt and pepper.

Preheat grill to medium-high or allow coals to burn to white ash. Spray grill with nonstick spray. Grill chops 4 minutes; turn and cook 4 minutes. Brush balsamic vinegar mixture generously over each side of chops. Continue cooking about 3 minutes per side, or until meat thermometer registers 160 degrees for medium doneness, brushing frequently with vinegar mixture. Remove from grill, cover and allow to stand 5 minutes.

Combine remaining 2 tablespoons vinegar, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, 1/8 teaspoon salt, brown sugar and cornstarch. Stir well to dissolve cornstarch and set aside. Pour berries with liquid through a sieve, reserving juice. Press down gently with the back of a spoon to remove all of juice. Return juice to saucepan; discard fruit. Stir vinegar-cornstarch mixture again, then blend into juice in saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, 2 minutes or until juice is thickened and bubbly.

Drizzle each serving of chop with about 1 ½ tablespoons sauce.

Per serving: 192 calories (38 percent from fat), 8 grams total fat (3 grams saturated), 60 milligrams cholesterol, 7 grams carbohydrates, 25 grams protein, 561 milligrams sodium, no dietary fiber.

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© 2008, The Kansas City Star.