Fresh cherries - how to use?

Softstuff

PANCAKES!
forgive the capitals, but the thought makes me drool so badly since our poor cherry had to be chopped.
Cook them up in a sugary syrup and serve in pancakes topped with cream... mmmmmmmm

BlondeHeadOn

Our cherry tree has surpassed itself this year, and we have bowlfuls of cherries in the fridge at the moment. I don't think we will be able to eat them all fresh (unless they will keep a long time in the fridge), so what else could I do with them?

Can I freeze them if I stone them first? I could then maybe make a cherry pie or apple and cherry pie (we have a freezer full of stewed apples from our tree last year).

Or are there any recipes I can use with them, cherry cake maybe? I know this usually requires glace cherries, but maybe there is another recipe?

Or as a last resort, jam? Bear in mind I am a complete numpty in the kitchen, and have never made jam before, and don't have any big pans, so this is not my favourite option!

I love cherries so I don't want to waste them - any ideas anyone?

:idea:

DawnW

why not make some of them into cherry pie filling (or even cherry pies, use bought pastry if you can't make it). To make fruit pie filling simply cook the fruit gently with sugar to taste and a little water if necessary, then thicken with a little cornflour mixed with cold water stirred in to the hot fruit. If not thick enough, add a little more, but remember you can always put a bit more in but can't take it out! It ends up very similar to canned fruit pie filling (you can do it with all sorts of fruit, not just cherries). I would stone the cherries first, but this is a matter of personal taste. If you don't mind having to pick cherry stones out of your pies (and don't have small children or old people who might choke on them), then don't bother.
Finally, cool and pack into freezer ontainers.

tanith

How wonderful I love cherries and they are so expensive... just one thing about jam I thought of if you have a bread maker you can apparently make jam in one... never tried it but there are recipes I am sure...

lka200

I wonder if you could make cherry wine BLONDE? I dont know anything about wine making but cherry wine sounds lush

Pink.

Hi blondeheadon,

There's an older thread that should help so I've merged your thread with it to keep all the suggestions together.

Pink

ShockingPink

I actually got this from Weight Watchers mag (2.5 points a portion, if you're interested!)- had it the other day. Very easy to make, and really tasty.

Cherry Batter pudding - serves 2
30g plain flour
1 egg
100ml skimmed milk
0.5tsp vanilla extract
0.5 tbsp caster sugar
Low fat cooking spray
150g fresh cherries
0.5 tsp icing sugar

Preheat oven to gas mark 6/200c

Place flour, egg, milk, vanilla and sugar in a bowl, add apinch of salt and whisk together to make a smooth batter

Coat a medium ovenproof baking dish (or 2 small ones) with low fat spray. Heat in the oven for 2-3 mins

Place cherries in the dish, then pour in the batter. Quickly return the dish to the oven and bake for 20-25 mins, until risen and golden.

Sprinkle the icing sugar over the pudding and serve immediately, taking care not to swallow any cherry stones.

We switched the oven off and left it in there while we ate outr main course (green vegetable risotto - yum!) and it was none the worse for it. Cherries very hot! But absolutely gorgeous, and I'll do it again!

sandy2_2

wigginsmum wrote: »

I think you can get a special gadget to stone them but I just use a knife and make a vertical slit when I have to.

I´ve got the gadget for cherries and olives, waste of time as the stone has to be pushed out thro the skin making the fruit messy, better just to use a knife or cut fruit in half

Angelina-M

I made a cherry sauce (just the same way you make jam) and use it in my home made yoghurt - tastes just like a cherry fruit corner!

miffyhugmuffin

Just made Maryb's cherry flan - it is gorgeous, thanks a lot for the recipe Maryb!

:T