Another reason to love summer here in Wisconsin…fresh cherries! Cherry season is {too} short here in the midwest. It begins in June and is pretty much over by the end of July. Besides being delicious, sweet, tart and plump all rolled into one fantastic bite, cherries also pack a nutritional punch. This little fruit is amazing…it is loaded with antioxidants (helps prevent heart disease and cancer), melatonin (helps regulate the body’s sleep cycle), beta carotene, vitamins C and E, potassium, magnesium, iron, folate and fiber.
Today I am sharing three fun recipes using cherries:
Mini Cherry Toast Tarts
What you need:
Cookie Cutters
Bread
Cream Cheese
fresh Cherries
Honey
This is a versatile recipe that kids will love to help make yet is sophisticated enough to serve at your next grown-up get together. Cut shapes out of the bread using cookie cutters. Spread each shape with cream cheese. Wash, halve and pit your cherries (I use a drinking straw to get the pits out fast and easy). Top each toast with as many cherry halves as you like and drizzle with a touch of honey. Toast in a toaster oven or 350 degree (f) oven for 2-3 minutes. Serve warm.
Cherry & Pistachio Salad
What you need:
3 cups Baby Romaine Greens
1/2 cup Carrot Slivers
1/2 cup fresh Cherries, halved and pitted
1/4 cup Pistachios
Dressing:
1 tbsp Olive Oil
1 tsp Balsamic Vinegar
4 Cherries, halved and pitted
This is a perfect summertime salad; cool, crisp and refreshing. Purée the dressing ingredients together in a blender for a couple minutes. Add all of the salad ingredients to a large bowl. Toss with the homemade dressing. Enjoy! Serves 3 or 4.
Cherry Boat Bites
What you need:
fresh Cherries
Plain Greek Yogurt
Cinnamon
Nutmeg
Wash, halve and pit your cherries (I use a drinking straw to get the pits out fast and easy). Top each cherry half with a dollop of Greek yogurt and sprinkle with a pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg. Kids love this part and it’s great way for them to practice those fine motor skills. Eat them right away or pop them in the freezer for 10 minutes for a frozen treat. Enjoy!
