Recipe 5/14

Cherries are a great summer fruit. Not only do they taste great, but they are full of antioxidants and vitamin C.

Fresh Cherry Lemonade
Makes 2 quarts

Ingredients:
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
1 pound fresh cherries, washed and pitted (about 2 cups)
1 cup fresh lemon juice
6 cups cold water

Directions:
1. Heat sugar and water in a small pot until sugar dissolves.
2. Add one cup of cherries, bring to a boil and boil until the cherries begin to soften, about two to three minutes.
3. Set aside to cool.
4. Strain cooled cherry syrup into a large pitcher, pressing on the cherries to release the juice.
5. Add lemon juice and cold water.
6. Stir in remaining cherries.
7. Pour over ice and garnish with fresh mint.

Cherry Thumbprint Cookies
Makes two to three dozen cookies

Cherry Jam
Ingredients:
1 pound fresh cherries, washed and pitted (about 2 cups)
1/8 cup water
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1 cup sugar

Cookie Dough
Ingredients:
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract
2 cups flour

Directions:
1.Preheat oven to 350 F
2. For jam, combine cherries and water in a small pot and simmer over low heat until fruit is tender, about 10 minutes.
3. Add lemon juice, zest and sugar and stir gently until sugar dissolves.


4. Bring to a rapid boil for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thick and syrupy.
5. Pour into a shallow bowl and cool, or  refrigerate until jam is set. This can be made a day ahead.
6. For cookies, beat butter and sugar with an electric mixer until creamy.
7. Beat in egg and vanilla or almond extract.
8. Add flour and mix until just combined. 9. Form dough into one-inch balls and arrange on an ungreased cookie sheet.
10. Using your thumb, make an impression in the center of each ball.
11. Fill each cookie with cherry jam, making sure each has a cherry in the center.
12. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until the dough is set and lightly browned on bottom.
13. Remove from pan and cool on a wire rack. 

Wild Berries Spritzer
Makes One Serving

2 ounces berry-flavored vodka
1/2 oz. cherry juice
Club soda
Directions:
1. In a tall glass, pour vodka and cherry juice over ice.
2. Fill with club soda.
3. Garnish with an orange wheel and cherry.
Recipes and photo courtesy of ARA Content