Cherry Clafoutis
This rustic French dessert combines fresh, juicy cherries and creamy, custardy batter, all baked to golden-brown perfection.
Ingredients:
4 large eggs
½ cup sugar
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Zest of 1 lemon
2 tablespoons melted butter
¾ cups all purpose flour
2 cups cherries, pitted and halved
Powdered sugar for dusting
Method:
1. Preheat oven to 350°. Butter and lightly flour a 9-inch round pie dish or cast iron pan. Reserve.
2. In a food processor, combine the eggs, sugar, salt, milk, lemon zest and vanilla extract. Blend just until combined. Add the flour and blend again, just until combined and smooth. Finally, add the melted butter and pulse a few times to incorporate into the batter. (You can also mix the ingredients by hand.)
3. Pour the batter into the prepared dish. Top with the cherry halves, placing them cut side up. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until the custard is just set. A knife poked in the center should emerge relatively clean. Remove from the oven and let cool 20 minutes, then run a knife around pan sides to loosen clafoutis. Dust the top with powdered sugar; cut into wedges and serve.
Grilled Cherry Salsa
This flavorful salsa is excellent on top of pork tenderloin, or served with crackers and whipped ricotta!
Ingredients:
1½ cups cherries, pitted
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ cup diced shallot
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
Method:
1. Heat the grill to high.
2. In a medium bowl, toss the cherries with oil until well coated. Carefully place the cherries onto the grill grates (or use a grilling basket) and grill until lightly charred in spots and tender, about 2 to 3 minutes. Use tongs to return the cherries to the bowl. Set aside to cool slightly.
3. Once the cherries have cooled, add the onion, garlic, vinegar and cilantro. Mix well, then season with salt and pepper.
Cherry Crisp
A quick and easy dessert—simply toss cherries with the following ingredients, then sprinkle with our signature crisp topping.
Ingredients:
5 cups cherries, washed and pitted
1½ cups sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1-2 tablespoons of butter
F&L cherry-almond fruit crisp topping
Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 375°.
2. Toss the cherries with the sugar and cornstarch. Place in oven safe dish and add butter dabs to the top.
3. Sprinkle the fruit crisp topping evenly over the cherries, covering them completely. Bake until the topping is lightly browned and the fruit is bubbling.
Cherry Tomato-Beet Salad
Topped with a mustard-balsamic dressing, this cherry tomato and roasted beet salad is incredibly flavorful.
Ingredients:
4 medium-sized beets
3 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
3 tablespoons combined fresh herbs, such as basil, parsley and sculpit
2 tablespoons chopped shallots
1 tablespoon capers
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Preheat oven to 400°.
2. Trim roots and stems from beets. Pierce beets with a fork, and wrap in foil. Bake at 400° for 1 hour or until tender. Cool; peel beets and cut into ¼-inch-thick slices.
3. Combine the herbs, shallots, capers, olive oil, balsamic vinegar and mustard in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk. Combine cherry tomatoes and about 5 teaspoons of the dressing; toss to coat. Divide sliced beets and dressed cherry tomatoes evenly among 6 plates. Drizzle each serving with about 3 teaspoons of the remaining dressing. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Lemon Risotto with Cherry Tomatoes & Fresh Summer Herbs
This bright risotto showcases bright herbs and juicy cherry tomatoes—just remember to keep stirring!
Ingredients:
1½ cups Arborio rice
4 cups warm chicken stock
8 tablespoons butter
½ cup white wine (if desired)
½ shallot, finely chopped
1-2 tablespoons chopped garlic (if desired)
1¼ cups grated Grana cheese
Juice and zest of 1 lemon
1 pint cherry tomatoes, washed and halved
3 tablespoons combined fresh herbs, such as parsley, mint and oregano, all chopped
Method:
1. In a saucepan, bring the chicken stock to a boil and then turn down to a simmer to keep hot. In another large saucepan over medium low heat, melt 4-5 tablespoons of butter and cook the garlic until soft but not brown.
2. Add the shallot and continue cooking for about 2 minutes. Turn the heat up and add the Arborio rice. Stir for about one minute.
3. Add a ladleful of stock to the rice and continue stirring until almost absorbed. Add another ladleful of stock and the wine and continue stirring; repeat until all the stock is gone and the rice is creamy and tender.
4. Stir in the remaining butter, lemon juice and lemon zest. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Top with the cherry tomatoes, fresh herbs and a healthy grating of Grana cheese and serve immediately.
Slow-Roasted Sungold Cherry Tomatoes
Incredibly sweet and juicy, these roasted beauties are wonderful atop crostini.
Ingredients:
1 pound Sungold cherry tomatoes, or a mixture of both cherry tomatoes and diced heirloom tomatoes
1 tablespoon olive oil
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Preheat oven to 300°. Place a wire rack inside a rimmed baking sheet. Brush the tomatoes with oil, then season with salt and pepper. Transfer the tomatoes to the prepared rack
2. Roast the tomatoes until skins are shriveled but tomatoes are still plump, about 1 1/2 hours. Let tomatoes and their juices cool to room temperature.
Variations: For added punch, toss tomatoes with your favorite fresh herb, such as thyme or oregano, or minced garlic, before roasting.
Chickpea Salad with Cherry Tomatoes, Peppers & Feta
This simple salad comes together in minutes, and travels well for lunches or picnics!
Ingredients:
2 cups baby chickpeas
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup mini Bell peppers, seeded and thinly sliced
½ cup sweet Skagit onion, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
½ cup crumbled feta cheese
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
¼ cup olive oil
1 clove garlic, crushed
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Chopped baby red Romaine (optional)
Method:
1. Rinse and drain chickpeas. In a large bowl, combine chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, peppers, onion and fresh parsley. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
2. In small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice and crushed garlic, seasoning to taste with salt and pepper. Drizzle dressing over chickpea mixture, and top with crumbled feta cheese. Serve alone, or over a bed of Romaine lettuce drizzled lightly with additional olive oil and lemon juice.
Farro Orzo with Peppers
Tossed with a bevy of fresh herbs, garlic and cherry tomatoes, this is one satisfying side dish.
Ingredients:
2 cups orzo, cooked
3 tablespoon butter
3 tablespoon olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoon each chopped fresh tarragon, parsley and thyme
3-4 Bullhorn peppers, seeded and finely diced
2 red onions, trimmed of root end and finely diced
2 cups heirloom cherry tomatoes, halved
¼ cup Grana-style cheese, freshly grated
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Cook the orzo according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
2. Melt the butter over medium heat and add olive oil, garlic, herbs, onions and peppers. Sauté for about 2-3 minutes, until onions and peppers are softened and herbs are fragrant.
3. Add the orzo and mix to blend, heating thoroughly. Add the cherry tomatoes and Grana cheese and toss to blend. Season generously with salt and pepper.