Spirited Sour Cherries Recipes

SOUR-CHERRY OLD-FASHIONED

Steps:

• Put the cherries, orange peel, sugar and bitters in an old-fashioned glass; crush the sugar and cherries with a muddler, spoon or anything else that will get the job done. Fill the glass with ice, add the whiskey and stir until the drink is cold, about a dozen times.

SPIRITED SOUR CHERRIES

Steps:

• Pack a clean, sterile quart-sized jar with a sterile lid with the cherries. Add the sugar and fill the jar with the eau-de-vie, leaving about 1/2 inch of headspace. Screw the lid on firmly and shake it well to dissolve the sugar. Store the jar in a cool, dark place for at least 4 weeks before use, shaking it occasionally. The flavor will continue to strengthen over several more months. Once you open the jar, store any remainders in the refrigerator.

SOUR-CHERRY CORDIALS

Steps:

• Bring cherries, sugar, wine, lemon juice, and salt to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat, stirring to dissolve sugar. Cook for 4 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer cherries to a bowl. Raise heat to medium-high, and cook until mixture is syrupy, about 5 minutes. Let cool completely. Return cherries to syrup. (Cherries in syrup can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 1 month.)
• Fill 8 glasses with ice. Pour 2 tablespoons gin and 2 tablespoons syrup into each glass, and add 5 cherries. Divide seltzer among glasses (1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons each). Garnish with fresh cherries and lemon zest strips, if desired. Serve immediately.

SPIRITED CHERRIES

Steps:

• Prepare canner, jars and lids.
• In a saucepan over medium-high heat, combine sugar and water. Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar. Add Cherries, stirring constantly, and return to a boil. Reduce heat and boil gently for 5 minutes.
• Using a slotted spoon pack fruit in hot jars withing 1/2 in headspace add rum or spirit. Ladle hot syrup into jar to cover fruit. Wipe rum and place lids and bands on jars.
• Place jars in canner and process 10 minutes.

CHICKEN THIGHS WITH SOUR CHERRIES AND CUCUMBER YOGURT

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425 degrees. Combine chicken and onion on a rimmed sheet pan. Toss with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon black pepper. Add tarragon and 1 1/2 tablespoons oil, and toss to combine. Let stand at room temperature while preparing other ingredients.
• In a small saucepan, combine vinegar, 2 tablespoons sugar, bay leaf and remaining 1 teaspoon salt over medium-high heat. Bring to a simmer, stirring frequently to dissolve sugar.
• Place sliced cucumbers in medium bowl. Add 2 tablespoons of the vinegar solution to cucumbers and toss. Set aside.
• Return pan to medium-low heat and add another tablespoon sugar. Once sugar dissolves, stir in cherries. Cook until cherries are slightly broken down, 3 to 4 minutes. Taste and add more sugar if the cherries still seem very tart. (You're not looking for them to be sweet, just balanced.)
• Spoon cherries and their juices around chicken and onions. (It's OK if some cherries are on top of chicken and onions.) Roast until chicken is cooked through and cherries and onions are lightly browned in spots, 30 to 35 minutes. Give the dish a big stir and spoon the savory pan juices all over the top of the chicken.
• While the chicken is roasting, stir yogurt and remaining 1 tablespoon oil into the bowl with the pickled cucumbers. Season with a large pinch of salt and black pepper. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Just before serving, stir well, taste and add more salt if needed.
• Top chicken and cherries with a large dollop of cucumber yogurt, more tarragon and a drizzle of olive oil, then sprinkle with flaky sea salt or more kosher salt, if you like.