Flavor of the Week: Dried Cherries

Dried cherries are considered to be a Super Fruit.

These sweet treats are full of antioxidants, beta carotene, vitamin C, iron, folate, potassium, magnesium, and fiber.  Dried cherries are extremely versatile and are a great pantry staple for adding nutrition to flavor to a wide variety of food.

I'm sure most Spiral Style reader are well acquainted with dried cherries.  I'm really just reminding you to use them!

• in oatmeal
• in trail mix and granola
• substitute for raisins in baked goods
• pairs well with pork, chicken, duck, salmon
• use in rice dishes 
• top a salad with dried cherries, walnuts and blue cheese
• add to anything chocolate
• great in muffins and scones
• add dried cherries to stuffing for turkey or chicken
• mix in apple pie or bread pudding

Our family has loved this pork and dried cherry recipe for years.

Click here for the simple and quick Martha Stewart recipe. 

My good friend Pam shared these cookies with me last week.  She got the recipe from the packaging on a new cookie sheet!  The cookies are very moist and chocolaty.  The cherries are sweet and chewy and the white chocolate is an extra, sweet taste.  Wouldn't they be a yummy Valentine Treat?

Cherries n' Chips Cookies

2 cups flour

3/4 cup cocoa

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

12 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temp

1 1/4 cups sugar

2 large eggs

2 tablespoon milk

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 cup white chocolate chips

1/2 cup sour dried cherries

Preheat oven to 325 degrees

Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt in a bowl

Cream butter and sugar for 2 minutes on medium speed of mixer.  Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly, then add vanilla.  Scrape the inside of the bowl.  Add milk and mix until combined.  On low speed, add flour mixture.  Fold in chips and cherries.

Drop heaping tablespoons of dough onto ungreased cookie sheets, two inches apart.  Bake for 13-15 minutes or until edges of the cookies are firm.  Do not over bake.  Cool 3-5 minutes on the sheet and then transfer cookies to wire rack to cool.  

Yield 18 cookies, depending on size. 

You can order dried cherries in bulk from Leelanau Fruit Company

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