When you miss the berries, opt for the cherries! As silly as that might seem, cherries are delicious in a unique way – mildly fruity, slightly tart and juicy, these tiny little stone fruits are perfect to make the most of while they’re still in season. The gorgeous ruby red colour forms a lip-smacking stain in whatever recipe it is used in, and provides a soft chew, making it the perfect texture for most sweet goodies. Interestingly, cherries can be used in both, savoury and sweet ways that involve some healthy eats and some sinfully indulgent delights. Here are six recipes for you to enjoy!
Cherry, Mint & Quinoa Salad
Image Credits: Kowalski's Markets
The perfect packed lunch or entrée plate to enjoy with family and friends, this delicious and healthy salad recipe uses cherries in the best way possible – highlighting their tartness. Simply mix together cooked quinoa, cherry halves, fresh mint leaves, half a red onion and some chopped cucumber and toss in a zingy olive oil-lemon juice-honey dressing and refrigerate until ready to eat.
Cherry Chutney
A tangy chutney made by slow-cooking fresh cherries with olive oil, a chopped onion, garlic and a punch from the chillies. Allow the cherries to cook in their juices and condense completely before cooling and refrigerating in an air-tight jar. Pair it with savoury treats like cheeses, chips, grilled meats and cold cuts to enjoy the full flavour.
Cherry Salsa
Image Credits: Vintage Mixer
Add an extra punch of heat from jalapenos and mix together with freshly pitted cherries, chopped onions, bell peppers, tomatoes, olive oil and lemon juice. Add a spoonful of chilli oil for an extra kick of flavour and amplify the tart-spiciness of the salsa. Stuff it into sandwiches, tacos and burritos or even add a spoonful of this fiery mixture over fried eggs.
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Cherry Compote
Need to rustle up a last-minute dessert? Whip up a simple cherry compote by adding some pitted cherries, a couple of tablespoons of sugar and a spritz of lemon juice into a saucepan. This impressive, three-ingredient recipe can be made in a matter of ten minutes by cooking the mixture on a low flame, until the cherries burst and release their juices. Once the mixture turns glossy, spoon over ice cream, tea cakes, frozen yoghurt and more.
Cherry Chocolate Brownies
Image Credits: Sainsbury's
Fudgy, rich and chewy, these deliciously decadent chocolate brownies have pockets of fresh and juicy cherries embedded in the batter. Whisk together a classic brownie batter and add a cup of pitted whole cherries to the batter before baking in the oven. The gooey centre combined with the soft, chewy cherries is a spectacular combination of flavours and textures.
Cherry Crumble
An interesting way to use instant cake mix, tumble some seedless cherries into a greased baking dish and combine the cake mix with some brown sugar and cold butter until it resembles wet sand. Sprinkle the mixture over the cherries and add some flaked almonds on top for crunch and texture. Bake it in an oven at 180 degrees Celsius for 30-35 minutes and enjoy warm, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.