10 pounds of cherries; What To Do?

[Shrinkrap]

Mostly, bings, some ranier ( I think). From the parents of one of the kids on sons soccer team ( Go US!). I could try to eat them all, but I have visions of that scene in " Witches of Eastwick".

Most recipes seem to favor "sour cherries."

Anybody have experience with drying or preserving?

I really like "Cherries Garcia" ice cream. Anyway to get those flavors without making ice cream or candy?

[karenmae1983]

Cherries can do so many things. I live near Traverse City, MI, and have seen lots of different ideas. You could make a cherry salsa, include them in a salad, or even chop them up finely and use them in burger!
http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/cherry_burgers.html
http://www.recipezaar.com/recipe/Traverse-City-Salad-46469
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/al...

[Shrinkrap]

Check this out!
Dark Chocolate Cherries
http://www.oregonlive.com/foodday/ind...

[Shrinkrap]

Warmed, over ice cream was like a "quick fix" Cherries Garcia Sunday!

[free sample addict aka Tracy L]

I'd freeze some for winter baking and fruit salads. I pit them, initially freeze them on a cookie sheet and then bag and freeze them. I like having a taste of summer in winter.

[Shrinkrap]

That's good too. How are they different after freezing? Do you think the ones in Cherries Garcia have added sugar?

[free sample addict aka Tracy L]

They are less firm and kind of on the mushy side and they don't get much sweeter with freezing. My ex MIL used to let them defrost in a bowl with a little sugar and some lemon juice. I think Cherries Garcia has some sugar.

[Windy]

I agree. I usually cook surplus fruit with a little sugar (quick boil) and then put in ziploc bags. You'll be happy to find them in February and add them to anything--oatmeal, smoothies, etc.

[kattyeyes]

OOPS, one more for ya from NPR, Beyond Shirley Temples: The New Maraschino Cherry"...recipes for preserving cherries with or without booze and much more!

http://ww.npr.org/templates/story/sto...

[Shrinkrap]

"No-Booze Maraschino Cherries"

Perfect! Wonder how long they will keep.

[Shrinkrap]

These are great! Thanks!

[kattyeyes]

I recently made several batches of tipsy cherries: simply Bing cherries poked with toothpicks and covered in
- Cruzan vanilla rum
- Van Gogh Dutch Chocolate vodka
- 43 Liqueur

You can get cherries tipsy pretty much any way you like...but I'm especially fond of the Cruzan vanillas. I also made a small batch of tipsies dipped in chocolate.
Here's what the cherries look like:
http://kattyskitchen.wordpress.com/2010/06/17/tipsy-cherries-cheers-three-ways/

I also baked cherry almond scones with an almond glaze:
http://kattyskitchen.wordpress.com/2010/06/21/cherry-almond-scones-with-almond-glaze/

And made a cherry almond cake:
http://kattyskitchen.wordpress.com/20...

I vote you buy lots of jars and make lots of nice Christmas presents...tipsy cherries are delicious!

[chuang]

Well, can't help with what you specifically asked for, but we picked a ton of cherries off our neighbour's tree (with their permission of course!) and so a quick search on epicurious led me to these recipes that I'm looking forward to trying:
Sweet Cherry and Lemon Conserve
Cherry Cornmeal Upside down cake
Quick Plum and Cherry Jam
Sweet Cherry Sorbetto
Hope that gives you some inspiration!
Heh heh, I also roped my mother-in-law into making us a cherry pie ;)

[goodhealthgourmet]

- definitely make cherry clafoutis.
- Cherry Garcia is nothing more than vanilla ice cream with shaved chocolate and cherries - if you don't want to make your own ice cram, you can fold the cherries and chocolate into store-bought vanilla...or into vanilla yogurt for a snack.
- dehydrate some and dip in chocolate.
- cherry pie or tart
- Bon Appetit cherry brown butter bars
- chutney
- jam
- macerated in kirsch or brandy
- cook down with fresh thyme, pepper, wine & a little stock, finish with a splash of cream or a pat of butter, and serve over chicken or pork.
- add to green salad with toasted almonds or pistachios and shaved cheese
- serve on a cheese plate
- i'm thinking they'd be terrific combined with miso somehow...

[Caitlin McGrath]

Do you know if that cherry brown butter bar recipe is on Epicurious? I couldn't find such a thing in a search there, but it sounds like something I need to know about. If it's not there, might you be willing to paraphrase? (I have some personal faves from Bon Appetit that are not on Epicurious, so I know it happens.)

[Shrinkrap]

I found it. Apparently the original was with raspberries. I'll link if I can find it again. I made a LOT of mistakes but it turned out okay. I used 1/2 instead of 1/4 cup floor, and forgot the browned butter until it was in the oven. I poured it over and jiggled the pan I also used a one day old, no-booze version of "marachinoed" cherries.

http://smittenkitchen.com/2009/06/che...