Sweet Cherry Almond Butter Food

CHERRY ALMOND CRISP

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Start with the crumb mixture. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg.
• Cut the cold butter into pieces. Add the butter to the bowl and use a fork or pastry blender to cut it into the flour mixture. The mixture should resemble a moist, coarse meal. Add the slivered almonds and combine thoroughly.
• Place the still-frozen cherries in a bowl, add the remaining 1/2 cup granulated sugar, cornstarch and almond extract and gently stir the cherries to combine.
• Divide the cherries between 8 ramekins (about 1/2 cup each). Top with the crumb mixture, evening out the surface.
• Bake until the topping is crisp and golden brown, about 45 minutes. If the topping appears underdone, continue baking in 10 minute increments until it's done.
• To serve: Add the heavy cream and granulated sugar to the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment and whip. Keep in the fridge until ready to serve.
• Serve the individual crisps warm or at room temperature with a dollop of freshly whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

SWEET CHERRY ALMOND BUTTER

Steps:

• Place pitted cherries in a large pot and cook over low heat until soft, adding small amounts of water if necessary to prevent scorching.
• Puree cooked cherries in a blender or food processor or using an immersion blender.
• Measure puree.
• Return puree to pot - you should have about 6 cups of puree. Add sugar.
• Cook over medium-low heat, stirring often until mixture has thickened. Add almond extract, stirring to evenly distribute.
• Ladle into hot, clean jars leaving about ¼ inch head space. Top with the two-piece lids and rings, and process in a water bath for 10 minutes.

AMARENA CHERRY & ALMOND TART

Steps:

• Mix together the butter, sugar, flour, a pinch of salt and the egg in a food processor to make a dough, then wrap and leave to rest in the fridge for 30 mins. The dough should be cold but still easy to work with by the time you roll it out.
• Meanwhile, make the frangipane filling. Melt the butter in a pan over a low heat, then set aside to cool slightly. Beat the sugar with the eggs and lemon zest in a bowl until creamy. Pour in the melted butter while continuing to beat, then add the ground almonds (or almond flour) and fold into the mixture. Heat oven to 175C/155C fan/gas 3½.
• Line a buttered tart tin or ring mould (approximately 23cm) with the rolled-out pastry dough, then trim any overhanging edges. Spread the frangipane evenly into the tin and arrange the cherries on top with some of their syrup, so the top of the tart is covered in a thin layer.
• Put the tart in the oven and bake for about 40-45 mins until golden brown, puffed and firm to the touch. Leave to cool on a rack. Dust with some icing sugar, if you like, before serving in slices.

SWEET CHERRY & ALMOND TART

Steps:

• Butter the bottom and sides of a 10" tart pan, line the bottom with buttered parchment paper, and set it aside.
• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Mix the ground almonds, sugar, flour salt, baking powder and grated orange zest, and set them aside.
• Melt the butter.
• Beat the eggs.
• Beat the orange juice and the butter into them.
• Stir in the dry ingredients.
• Pour into the tart pan.
• Sprinkle the cherries evenly over the batter.
• Bake at 350°F for 35-40 minutes.