Fresh Blueberry Sauce

My roommate introduced me to this delicious sauce. I found that it makes the perfect topping to a cheesecake.

Fresh Blueberry Sauce:

• 1 pound fresh or frozen blueberries
• 4 (1/2-inch-wide) strips lemon peel
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon water

Combine blueberries, lemon peel, sugar, and water in a medium saucepan. Bring berry mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 5 minutes. Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve, pressing on solids to release as much liquid as possible. Discard solids and return sauce to a clean saucepan. In a small bowl, combine the cornstarch and water, stirring until smooth. Add the cornstarch mixture to the blueberry sauce, stirring until the sauce comes to a boil. Allow to boil for 1 minute. Remove from the heat and cool sauce to room temperature.

Yield: 1 1/4 cups