Cherries Simmered In Red Wine Food

CHERRIES SIMMERED IN RED WINE

Steps:

• Stir wine and sugar in heavy large saucepan over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Add cherries. Bring to boil. Remove from heat; let stand 5 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer cherries to medium bowl.
• Boil cooking liquid until reduced to 2 cups, about 25 minutes. Mix in orange peel, almond extract and nutmeg. Cool. Pour syrup over cherries; toss. Cover; chill until cold. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Keep chilled.) Spoon cherry mixture into bowls and serve.

CHERRIES IN SPICED WINE SYRUP

Steps:

• Tie bay leaf, cloves, peppercorns, and zest together in a cheesecloth bag.
• Combine Zinfandel, kirsch, water, sugar, and cheesecloth bag in a 4-quart heavy saucepan and bring to a boil. Add fresh or frozen cherries with any juices, cinnamon stick, and vanilla bean and simmer, uncovered, until cherries are tender but still hold their shape, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Drain cherries in a sieve set over a bowl. Return cooking liquid to pan along with vanilla bean, cinnamon stick, and cheesecloth bag and boil until reduced to about 1 1/4 cups, about 12 minutes. Cool liquid slightly and discard vanilla bean, cinnamon stick, and cheesecloth bag. Transfer cherries and cooled liquid to jar and chill, covered, at least 2 hours to allow flavors to develop.