Susan M. Morgan, CFCS, M.Ed.
County Extension Agent
Family and Consumer Education
Bolivia, NC 28422
You only have to visit a local grocery or fresh market to know that this year bing cherries are having an especially good season. The sweet and tart fruits are deep, dark, plump, and firm, perfect for eating out of hand or including in as many recipes as possible.
When you purchase cherries, look for those that feel firm and plump and seem heavy for their size. They should be free of spots and soft areas and the stems should be firmly attached to the fruit. For a brief time you can also find Rainier cherries, those pale yellow and pink blushed fruits, but they are much more fragile, so you must be careful in their selection and preparation.
Pitting cherries is an art. You can cut them in half and remove the pit with your fingers or a strawberry capper, but I like using a cherry pitter, making absolutely sure that each cherry is freed from its pit. You'll get into a rhythm, so enjoy the feel of the fruits, the sound of the pit plunking into the bowl, and of course, you can snack on a cherry from time to time.
Enjoy the fruit of summer: the fresh cherry. Eat as many of them as you can, and enjoy the recipes below during this warm and lazy season.
Cherry Chicken Melon Salad
INGREDIENTS:
PREPARATION:
Cut cantaloupe into 1" pieces.
In large bowl, combine chicken, celery, green onions, salt and pepper and toss lightly. Add cherries and cantaloupe and mix gently. In small bowl, combine mayonnaise, cherry yogurt, and milk and stir until smooth.
Pour over chicken mixture and stir gently to coat. Cover and refrigerate several hours. Serves 8
Cherry Oat Muffins
INGREDIENTS:
PREPARATION:
Preheat oven to 375°. Line muffin tins with paper liners. In large bowl, combine oats, oat bran, brown sugar, flour, baking powder and baking soda and mix well. In another bowl, combine oil, buttermilk, and eggs and mix with fork until dry ingredients disappear. Gently stir in cherries. Batter should be lumpy.
Fill prepared muffin tims 2/3 with batter and bake at 375° for 17 to 20 minutes or until light golden brown. Makes 18 muffins.
Cherry Chicken Salad
INGREDIENTS:
PREPARATION:
Cut pineapple lengthwise into 6 sections. Cut flesh of pineapple away from rind and cut out core. Cut pineapple into 1" chunks and set aside.
In large bowl, combine chicken, celery, green onions, salt and pepper and toss lightly. Add cherries and pineapple and mix gently. In small bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, milk and lemon juice and stir until smooth. Pour over chicken mixture and stir gently to coat. Cover and refrigerate several hours. Serves 6
The information presented is for educational purposes only. References to trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service is implied.
Susan Morgan is Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Education for the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service in Brunswick County. For more information or questions, contact Susan at 253-2610 or P. O. Box 109, Bolivia, NC 28422.
Please e-mail Susan Morgan
Back to the Family and Consumer Education News Release Page of the Brunswick County Center of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service.
Back to the Home Page of the Brunswick County Center of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service.
This site is maintained by Kathy Walters.
URL Address: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/brunswick/
Date Created 7/8/2005