Cherries are a ‘super’ food. They’re high in vitamin C and antioxidants, which can help with heart health, joint pain, and lowering cholesterol. Cherry season is a few months away, but you can enjoy them year-round with frozen, dried varieties and cherry juice.
Cherry Tips
Cherries come in two varieties — sweet and sour. Sour cherries, which are great for pies, are higher in antioxidants and vitamin C. They have a short growing season and are usually available for a few weeks beginning in mid-June. Sweet cherries, like the Bing and Rainier varieties, are also excellent sources of vitamins and nutrients. They’re in season from May through August. Both types of cherries are low in calories and sodium, making them a healthy snack.
Choose cherries that are plump and unblemished. Look for green stems and cherries that are darker in color.
Put these cherry tips to use and add more cherries to your diet by tossing a handful of fresh (rinsed and pitted) or dried into your cereal, granola or yogurt. Create healthier sweet treats by stirring them into your cake, cookie or pancake batter.
This salad of Mixed Greens with Dried Cherries, Goat Cheese & Cherry Vinaigrette offers a double cherry punch with dried cherries tossed with the greens and a cherry juice-spiked vinaigrette.
Need more cherries in your life? Try these cherry-filled recipes:
Oatmeal Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies
TOOLS:
Large Bowl
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TECHNIQUES:
Making a Vinaigrette
Mixed Greens with Dried Cherries, Goat Cheese & Cherry Vinaigrette
Ingredients
- 6 cups mixed baby greens, rinsed and patted dry
- 1/3 cup dried cherries
- 1/4 cup crumbled goat cheese
For Vinaigrette:
- 2 tablespoons cherry juice
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon honey
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
For Salad:
- Combine greens, cherries and goat cheese in a large bowl. Add vinaigrette, a tablespoon at a time, tossing until the salad’s evenly coated.
For Vinaigrette:
- Whisk cherry juice, vinegar, mustard and honey together in a small bowl. Gradually add the olive oil while whisking constantly. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
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