Choose large, plump, smooth, dark fruits – the darker the cherry, the sweeter the flavor.  Avoid cherries that are rock hard; once picked, cherries do not ripen further. INGREDIENTS: 1/2 cup water 1 1/2 cups sugar, divided 2 cups fresh Bing cherries, stemmed, pitted, and halved 6 ounces of cream cheese, at room temperature 1...Read More

Cherry clafoutis makes a wonderful Memorial Day dessert and is one of the best ways to celebrate our short season of cherries. This is a simplified version of the classic French dessert — we prefer to pit our cherries, rather than leaving them whole. It is best served warm, ideally fresh out of the oven....Read More

This recipe is made in several steps and requires assembly – read through the entire recipe for an overview before making the cream puffs. Tart Dough 3 tablespoons butter 1/4 cup powdered sugar 1 egg yolk 1 1/4 cup flour 1/8 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon heavy cream Cream together butter and sugar. Add egg yolk...Read More

This salad works well as a topping or side for pork chops, grilled or roasted chicken, or a side dish with meat. If you want to make it more of a stand alone salad, add greens like escarole, watercress, frisée, shreds of Little Gem lettuce or the inner leaves of a butter lettuce or microgreens...Read More

INGREDIENTS: 2 cups fresh cherries, pitted 3 nectarines or peaches, sliced and divided 1-1/2 whole chicken breasts, skinned, boned, cooked, and diced 1-1/2 cups sliced celery 2 tablespoons sliced green onion 1 cup mayonnaise 1/4 cup sour cream 2 tablespoons honey 1 teaspoon lemon or lime juice 1/2 teaspoon curry powder 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger...Read More

One way to extend the enjoyment of our local cherry season is to make cordials that can be enjoyed later in the fall or bottled for special homemade gifts during the holidays. Brandied cherries are delicious added to drinks or spooned over ice cream. INGREDIENTS: 1 cup sugar 1 cup water 1 cup pitted cherries...Read More

INGREDIENTS: 1 recipe for a 9-inch double pie crust 4 tablespoons quick-cooking tapioca 1/8 teaspoon salt 1 cup sugar 4 cups pitted cherries* 1/4 teaspoon almond extract 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1 1/2 tablespoons butter METHOD: Preheat oven to 400°F. Place bottom crust in pie pan. Set top crust aside, covered. In a large...Read More

Sweet, fresh cherries make this melon summer salad a perfect choice to serve for brunch.  If possible, use a cherry pitter so cherries can be left whole. INGREDIENTS: 1/4 honeydew melon, seeds and skin removed, and cut into 1/2″ slices 1/4 cantaloupe melon, seeds and skin removed, and cut into 1/2″ slices 1/4 cup minced...Read More

INGREDIENTS: 3/4 cup cherry preserves 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar ½ teaspoon allspice ½ teaspoon cinnamon 1 tablespoon canola oil 2/3 cup finely chopped onion 2 cups pitted fresh Bing cherries 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper pinch of salt 4 bone-in pork loin chops METHOD: Preheat the barbecue grill to medium/high...Read More

A refreshing and colorful salad, perfect for summertime. INGREDIENTS: Salad 1 head Romaine lettuce, medium-chopped 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese 1/4 cup diced green onion, some green included 1 can (11-ounce) mandarin oranges, drained 1 cup smoked turkey, cut into 1/2-inch cubes 2/3 cup Bing cherries, washed, halved, and pitted Balsamic Vinaigrette 1/3 cup extra-virgin...Read More