Tasty Monthly Cherry Recipes
Every month we will showcase new seasonal recipes featuring Wisconsin cherries.
May
This month's recipes include Spinach Salad with Cherries, Caramelized Salmon w/Cherry Salsa and Six Week Cherry Muffins.
Spinach Salad with Cherries
Cherries add a special touch to salads.
Makes 4 servings
Dressing:
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
2 teaspoons honey
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Salad:
5 cups cleaned torn spinach leaves, stems removed
1 cup bite-size fresh pineapple chunks
1/2 cup dried tart cherries
1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
Crumbled feta cheese, optional
Instructions:
For the dressing, combine oil, vinegar, honey and pepper in a medium bowl; mix well.
For the salad, combine spinach, pineapple, cherries and onion in a large salad bowl. Spoon dressing over spinach mixture; mix to coat salad with dressing. Serve topped with feta cheese, if desired.
Caramelized Salmon with Cherry Salsa
Salmon, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, teams up with cherries for a health entree.
Makes 4 servings
1-½ pounds fresh or frozen salmon fillet with skin
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon grated orange peel
1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
1 ripe mango or papaya, seeded, peeled and chopped
1 cup frozen tart cherries, thawed, drained and halved*
2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint, basil or cilantro
2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
*½ cup dried tart cherries can be substituted for frozen tart cherries
Instructions:
Thaw fish, if frozen. Stir together brown sugar, orange peel and pepper. Place fish, skin side down, in a shallow pan. Rub sugar mixture over fish. Cover and refrigerate 2 to 8 hours.
Remove fish from pan, draining off any juices. Place salmon, skin-side down, on gas grill over medium heat or on charcoal grill 4 to 6 inches from medium-hot coals. Grill for 20 to 25 minutes, or until fish flakes easily. Do not turn fish.
Meanwhile, toss together mango or papaya, cherries, mint, vinegar and red pepper. Spoon fruit salsa over warm fish. Serve immediately.
Six Week Cherry Muffins
1 box bran flakes (14 oz.)
1 cup oil
2 cups sugar
4 beaten eggs
1 quart buttermilk
5 cups flour
5 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons salt
2 cups dried cherries
Instructions:
Mix dry ingredients in very large bowl. Beat eggs, oil, milk and add to dry ingredients. Mix. Grease cupcake tin and fill ½ full. Bake at 400
