Tasty Monthly Cherry Recipes
Every month we will showcase new seasonal recipes featuring Wisconsin cherries. You can also view an archive of our past recipes.
January
This month's recipes include George Washington Salad, Meatballs in Cherry Sauce and "Hug Me" Fudge.
George Washington Salad
Makes 12 large servings
- 1 (6-ounce) package cherry-flavored gelatin
- 1 (20- or 21-ounce) cherry pie filling
- 1 (20-ounce) can crushed pineapple
- 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts, optional
Instructions:
Put gelatin in a large mixing bowl. Dissolve gelatin with 2 cups boiling water; mix well. Add cherry pie filling and pineapple with juice from the can; mix well. Pour into a 13x9x2-inch pan. Refrigerate until gelatin is set.
Mix cream cheese, sour cream and sugar until smooth. Spread over salad after gelatin is set. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Sprinkle with nuts, if desired, just before serving.
Note: You can substitute 2 (14.5- to 16-ounce) cans tart cherries packed in water for the cherry pie filling. Add cherries with juice from the can.
Meatballs in Cherry Sauce
Makes 6-8 servings
Meatballs:
- 1 lb. ground pork
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1/4 cup very finely chopped onions
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 clove minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon Lawry's seasoned salt
Sauce:
- 2 cups red tart frozen sweetened cherries, thawed
- 1 cup frozen sweet cherries, thawed
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/4 cup orange juice concentrate
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon grated orange peel (optional)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
Instructions:
Meatballs: Mix all ingredients. Shape into balls about the size of a walnut. Brown in an ungreased skillet on medium low heat. Drain and add to the following sauce. Simmer 15 minutes. Serve over rice or with potatoes.
Cherry sauce: Put cherries and their juice in a large kettle. (add water if necessary to make 1 cup of liquid). Add rest of sauce ingredients. Stir until thickened and clear.
"Hug Me" Fudge
Makes 25 squares
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup light or dark corn syrup
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/2 cup butter or margarine
- 12 large marshmallows or 1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows
- 1 package (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped walnuts
- 1 cup coarsely chopped dried cherries
Instructions:
Lightly grease an 8 inch square pan. In 2 quart microwavable bowl combine sugar, corn syrup and milk. Top with butter. Microwave on High (100%) 5 minutes. Stir in chocolate until melted. Stir in vanilla, walnuts and cherries. Pour into prepared pan. Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm; cut into squares.
