Duck breasts that have been rubbed in a fennel salt and smoked over jasmine tea alongside a sweet-salty-tart fresh cherry sauce? Yes, please!
Tea-smoked duck with Chinese pancakes and cherry sauce Source: China Squirrel
Nordic countries have an affinity for liquorice, both the common sweet type and the sweet and salty. Liquorice powder, derived from liquorice root, can be tricky to find but it’s an interesting product for adding that distinctive aniseed flavour to sweet or savoury dishes, like these cherry cakes!
Source: Hardie Grant Books
Frangipane is a classic French almond-based filling used in tarts, cakes and pastries. It’s history dates to the 16th century when an Italian nobleman (the Marquis Muzio Frangipani) introduced almond-scented gloves to France - pastry chefs attempted to emulate the seductive scent in their desserts. The result was a rich almond-infused cream filling that somehow over time, morphed into the frangipane we know today. This full recipe uses just over a cup of cherries, but we find that it’s very forgiving, especially when halved!
Source: China Squirrel
This recipe uses about 2 cups of frozen cherries, which makes it perfect to enjoy after peak cherry season! If you’re saving your final cup of fresh cherries, simply pit them before freezing on a tray, and then store in a freezer bag when they’re fully frozen. Halve the recipe when you’re ready to go, and enjoy the fruits of your labour, any time of year!
Source: Brett Stevens
Speaking of saving your cherries to enjoy all year - why not pickle them? Simply make a quarter-batch of the pickling liquid for a cup of cherries, and savour them to your hearts’ content.
Italian picked cherries with sweet spices Source: Benito Martin
A barbecue twist on dessert, this pizza is spread with a mixture of mascarpone, lemon zest and cherries, then topped with grated dark chocolate and mint leaves to serve.
Cherry and chocolate dessert pizza Source: Smith Street Books
Keep things cool with these tangy cherry and berry snow cones that are a lovely little pick-me-up to fight the summer heat.
Source: Petrina Tinslay
