Cherry growers suggest cherry recipes
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With cherry season on the way, the Flathead Lake Cherry Growers Association has ideas for how to use cherries besides eating the sweet red fruit.
Additional recipe ideas for fresh and dried sweet cherries as well as sour cherries are available on their website at: www.montanacherries.com.
Cherry Coke Salad
Recipe by K. Nice
1 pint pitted sweet cherries
1 can (1 lb. 4 oz) crushed pineapple
1 (6 oz pkg.) cherry gelatin
1 12 oz can of Coca Cola or cola
Directions: Drain juice from fruit; add water to make 2 cups. Heat juice to boiling and add gelatin. Stir until dissolved. Cool, add cola and drained fruit. Pour Into 1-1/2 quart mold and chill until set. Unmold and serve with salad dressing, cream cheese dressing or whipped cream.
Cherry Pie Filling
Recipe by I. St. Sauver
6 pounds pitted sour cherries
3 cups sugar
1/2 cup cornstarch or tapioca
1 tsp. almond extract
1/4 tsp. red food color
Directions: Sweet dark cherries may be used instead of sour cherries. Combine cherries and 2 cups sugar in an 8-quart pot. Let stand 15 minutes until juices flow. Cook to 212 degrees F, using a candy thermometer to check temperature. In a small bowl, combine remaining 1 cup sugar and cornstarch or tapioca. Stir into the cherry mixture. Add food color and extract. Put over heat and stir again until the mixture reaches 212 degrees F. Ladle into hot sterilized jars and seal. May be processed for 10 minutes in hot water bath.
Makes six pints.
Cherry Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
Recipe by Barbara Hammons
1 cup butter
3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tbsp. vanilla
1/4 cup applesauce
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup quick oats
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
12 oz. miniature semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup dried cherries (cut cherries in half)
1 cup chopped walnuts, optional
Directions:
Thoroughly mix butter, sugars, vanilla and applesauce. In separate bowl, mix dry ingredients (excluding chips, cherries and nuts.) Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture. Add the chips, cherries and nuts. Drop by rounded tablespoons onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees 12-14. minutes. Let cookies set before removing from sheet.