Chopped Cherries Oven Dried Food

CHOCOLATE COVERED DRIED CHERRIES

Steps:

• Place the dried cherries in a coating pan attached to a stand mixer. Spin at low speed. Using a ladle, add the chocolate to the spinning cherries. Add one ladleful at a time until the cherries are coated to the desired thickness. (Use a 50/50 ratio (50 percent chocolate, 50 percent weight of the cherries.) If a thicker coat is desired, use more chocolate and vice versa.
• How to Temper Chocolate(From Dessert Circus, Extraordinary Desserts You Can Make At Home by Jacques Torres):
• Chocolate is tempered so that after it has been melted, it retains its gloss and hardens again without becoming chalky and white (that happens when the molecules of fat separate and form on top of the chocolate). There are a variety of ways to temper.
• One of the easiest ways to temper chocolate is to chop it into small pieces and then place it in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time on high power until most of the chocolate is melted. Be very careful not to overheat it. (The temperature of dark chocolate should be between 88 and 90 degrees F, slightly warmer than your bottom lip. It will retain its shape even when mostly melted. White and milk chocolates melt at a temperature approximately 2 degrees F less because of the amount of lactose they contain.) Any remaining lumps will melt in the chocolate's residual heat. Use an immersion blender or whisk to break up the lumps. Usually, chocolate begins to set, or crystallize, along the side of the bowl. As it sets, mix those crystals into the melted chocolate to temper it. A glass bowl retains heat well and keeps the chocolate tempered longer.
• Another way to temper chocolate is called seeding. In this method, add small pieces of unmelted chocolate to melted chocolate. The amount of unmelted chocolate to be added depends on the temperature of the melted chocolate, but is usually 1/4 of the total amount. It is easiest to use an immersion blender for this, or a whisk.
• The classic way to temper chocolate is called tabliering. Two thirds of the melted chocolate is poured onto a marble or another cold work surface. The chocolate is spread out and worked with a spatula until its temperature is approximately 81 degrees F. At this stage, it is thick and begins to set. This tempered chocolate is then added to the remaining non-tempered chocolate and mixed thoroughly until the mass has a completely uniform temperature. If the temperature is still too high, part of the chocolate is worked further on the cold surface until the correct temperature is reached. This is a lot of work, requires a lot of room, and makes a big mess.
• A simple method of checking tempering, is to apply a small quantity of chocolate to a piece of paper or to the point of a knife. If the chocolate has been correctly tempered, it will harden evenly and show a good gloss within a few minutes.

DRIED CHERRY AND ALMOND COOKIES WITH VANILLA ICING

Steps:

• For the Cookies:
• In a large bowl, with an electric mixer, beat the butter, sugar, vanilla extract, almond extract, cinnamon, and salt until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes, then beat in the egg. Add the flour and beat on the lowest speed until just blended. Using a wooden spoon, stir in the dried cherries and almonds.
• Transfer the dough to a sheet of plastic wrap and shape it into a log, about 12-inches long and 1 1/2-inches in diameter. Wrap the dough in the plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. (Dough can be made up to 3 days in advance).
• Arrange an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 heavy baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Cut the log crosswise into 1/2-inch thick slices. Transfer the dough slices to the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1-inch apart. Bake until the cookies are golden around the edges and puffed, about 15 minutes. Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely before icing, about 30 minutes.
• For the Icing:
• Put the powdered sugar in a medium bowl. Gradually whisk in the vanilla extract and water, adding more water, 1 teaspoon at a time, until the mixture becomes a drizzling consistency. (Makes about 2/3 cups icing, enough to ice both variations.)
• Put the cooled cookies on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. Using a spoon or a fork, drizzle the cookies with the icing, allowing any excess icing to drip onto the baking sheet. Allow the icing to set before serving, about 1 hour.
• Cook's Note: To toast the almonds, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 350 degree F oven for 6 to 8 minutes until lightly toasted. Cool completely before using.
• Cook's Note Alternative:
• Replace the dried cherries with 1/2 cup coarsely chopped dried apricots and add 2 tablespoons of toasted pine nuts. Also, use 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and omit the almond extract.

OVEN-DRIED CHERRIES

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 300 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment, and set aside.
• In a medium bowl, toss red cherries with balsamic vinegar and 1 tablespoon sugar. In another bowl, toss yellow cherries with white balsamic vinegar and remaining tablespoon sugar. Let cherries stand 30 minutes.
• Arrange cherries cut-sides up on the prepared baking sheets. Bake until cherries are wrinkled but still moist, 30 to 40 minutes. Transfer sheets to a wire rack to cool completely. Store the cherries in an airtight container, refrigerated, up to 1 week.

DRIED CHERRIES, PECANS AND ROSEMARY BRIE EN CROUTE

Steps:

• Thaw the pastry sheet at room temperature for 40 minutes or until it's easy to handle. Heat the oven to 400 degrees F. Beat the egg and water in a small bowl with a fork.
• Unfold the pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. Roll the pastry sheet into a 14-inch square. Stir the cherries, pecans, honey and rosemary in a small bowl. Spread the cherry mixture into the center of the pastry square. Top with the cheese round. Brush the edges of the pastry with the egg mixture. Fold two opposite sides of the pastry over the cheese. Trim the remaining two sides of the pastry square to 2-inches from the edge of the cheese. Fold the sides up onto the cheese and press the edges to seal. Place the pastry-wrapped cheese seam-side down onto a baking sheet. Brush the pastry with the egg mixture
• Decorate the top with pastry scraps or additional rosemary, if desired. Brush the pastry with the egg mixture.
• Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until the pastry is deep golden brown. Let stand for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Serve with the crackers.
• *To soften cherries, mix the cherries and 1/2 cup hot water in a small bowl. Let stand for 1 minute. Drain and pat the cherries dry.

CHOPPED CHERRIES OVEN DRIED

Steps:

• You may chop the cherries or cut each cherry in half.
• Place the cherries on baking trays or on trays in a dehydrator.
• Set oven 180* or 200*. Turn twice during the drying period.
• Should be dry in 6 to 8 hours, depending on how many cherries on each tray.
• Cool. Pack in Ziplock bags.
• Add cornstarch to bag and shake to mix.

SIDECARS WITH DRIED CHERRIES

Steps:

• To sugar the glass rims, pour the juice of 1 lemon into a shallow bowl and put the sugar on a small plate. Dip the rims of 2 glasses first in the lemon juice and then in the sugar. Set them aside to dry.
• In a small bowl, combine the dried cherries with 2 ounces of cognac and microwave on high for 60 seconds. Set aside.
• Combine the 3 ounces lemon juice with the remaining 4 ounces cognac, the Grand Marnier and 1 teaspoon of the marinated-cherry liquid. Fill a cocktail shaker three-quarters full with ice and pour in the cocktail mixture. Shake the mixer for a full 30 seconds (it's longer than you think!) and strain into the prepared glasses, either straight up or over ice. Thread 3 or 4 marinated cherries on small skewers and serve each drink ice cold with a skewer of cherries.

CHOCOLATE-DIPPED CHERRIES

Steps:

• Finely chop 1/2 pound dark chocolate. Combine three-quarters of the chocolate and 1 teaspoon coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring, until the chocolate is melted; stir in the remaining chocolate until smooth. Dip 1 pound fresh cherries in the chocolate by the stems and set on parchment paper. Let harden at room temperature.

CHOCOLATE-CHIP OATMEAL COOKIES WITH DRIED CHERRIES

Steps:

• Position 1 rack in bottom third and 1 rack in top third of oven; preheat to 375°F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper. Blend first 4 ingredients in processor 30 seconds. Add eggs; process to blend.
• Add next 4 ingredients. Using on/off turns, process until oats are coarsely chopped and mixture is blended. Transfer to large bowl. Mix in cherries and chocolate chips.
• Spoon batter by rounded tablespoonfuls onto prepared baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart (cookies will spread). Bake until tops of cookies are golden brown, rotating baking sheets after 7 minutes, about 14 minutes total. Transfer cookies to rack; let cool. Repeat with remaining batter.

CHOCOLATE COVERED CHERRIES III

Steps:

• Using a double boiler, heat the chocolate until melted. Stir in milk, using enough to make the chocolate smooth.
• Holding the cherries by their stems, dip them one by one into the chocolate mixture.
• Place the coated cherries on wax paper until the chocolate has dried.

FRESH CHERRY CLAFOUTI

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 400°F.
• Coat 10-inch Clafouti Dish with food spray.
• Place cherries in a bowl with 3-tablespoons Brandy, lemon zest and toss cherries. Cover with plastic and chill for 1 hour. Drain cherries reserving excess cherry juice.
• Use a mixer with a paddle, combine eggs, butter, brown sugar and remaining brandy. Beat until smooth; about 2-3 minutes.
• Add heavy cream, 2 tablespoons cherry juice, vanilla extract and beat until batter is smooth. Remove paddle from mixer and fold in flour by hand, stir until batter is smooth.
• Place cherries into Clafouti Dish and cover with batter.
• Place dish on a sheet pan, reduce oven to 375 F and bake for 10- minutes. Remove from oven and pour remaining cherry juice over Clafouti.
• Reduce oven to 350 F and bake for about 35-minutes.
• Insert a knife into center to insure Clafouti is baked. Cool for 20-minutes before serving.
• Garnish Cherry Clafouti with confectioners' sugar and warm Fresh Cherry Sauce.

CHERRIES, AMARETTO SOUR CREAM AND BROWN SUGAR

Steps:

• Mix sour cream and Amaretto. Add more Amaretto to taste if needed.
• If desired, add powdered sugar to mixture.
• Place sour cream mixture into small "dipping" dish.
• Place brown sugar into second small "dipping" dish.
• Dip cherries in sour cream and then the brown sugar.
• Eat and enjoy!

ROASTED CHERRIES

Steps:

• Note from the website: 'The cherries are roasted whole but can be pitted before serving, which is recommended if you are feeding those too young or too old to deal with the pits. (Don't pit them beforehand, or you'll release too many juices.)' However, CG stresses and highly recommends not serving the dessert to children. Furthermore, I would treat this dessert as more appropriate for adults and serve *only* to adults to avoid any problems and an emergency visit to the dentist. I can't imagine having to pit these *after* they've roasted. My two cents.
• Preheat oven to 450°.
• Place the whole cherries in a small roasting pan (I used an 8-inch cast iron skillet) sprinkle on the sugar, salt and pepper.
• Place pan or skillet in the oven and roast until the cherries start to release their juices and the sugar melts and begins to caramelize. This will take about 10 minutes but watch the cherries very carefully, as the sugar may start to burn.
• Remove from the oven, pour the brandy over and return for another 5 minutes and roast until the juices start to bubble up.
• Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving. Can be cooled completely and reheated gently on the stove top. (If you're removing the pits, do this before reheating.).
• Yield is estimated.

EASY TARTUFO

Steps:

• Mix chopped cherries into the ice cream. Scoop ice cream mixture into six balls using an ice cream scoop. Roll in crushed cookies. Place on wax paper-lined cookie sheet and freeze until firm, about two hours.
• In a small saucepan, melt chocolate chips with oil, stirring until smooth. Cool.
• Place coated ice cream balls on a wire rack. Spoon melted chocolate over each ball, coating the top and sides. Freeze again until firm, at least 1 hour. Remove from freezer 10 minutes before serving.