On a recent trip to the Tuscany region of northeast Italia, one standard-fare salad continued to bring rave reviews from our traveling troupe.

Called Caprese, this classic creation is best when the mozzarella is freshly made and the tomatoes are perfectly ripened.  Adding FruitFast’s Wonderful Pomegranate Liquid Fruit Supplement is the ideal final touch.

Ingredients:

2         Tbsp minced red onion
1/4      cup balsamic vinegar
3/4       cup olive oil
Salt and pepper

1          small red onion, sliced thin
12 oz   fresh mozzarella, sliced
2          tomatoes, sliced
1/2       cup basil leaves
1          Tbsp FruitFast Pomegranate Liquid

Directions:

Prepare the vinaigrette by stirring the minced red onion and vinegar together, whisk in the olive oil.  Season to taste with salt and pepper.  Toss the sliced red onion with 2 Tbsp of the vinaigrette.  Arrange on plate, alternating the mozzarella slices, sliced tomatoes and red onion.  Add basil leaves.  Spoon on remaining vinaigrette, drizzle with FruitFast Pomegranate Liquid.

Yield:   2-4 servings

A Super Easy appetizer for your Super Bowl Party.

Ingredients:
1          cup Brownwood Acres Montmorency Dried Tart Cherries, chopped
1/2      cup crumbled blue cheese (about 2 ounces)
1/2      cup chopped walnuts
1          cup sour cream
1/4      cup mayonnaise

Directions:

Combine cherries, blue cheese, and walnuts, in a medium bowl. Stir in sour cream and mayonnaise; mix well. Chill about 1 hour to blend flavors. Serve with vegetable dippers, such as celery, carrots, cauliflower, cucumber, broccoli, green or red bell peppers, or crackers.

Yield:  2 cups

This is a medium-hot salsa and is great with grilled chicken.

Ingredients:
1         cup Brownwood Acres Montmorency Dried Tart Cherries
1/2     cup water
3         fresh corn ears, shucked
1/2     cup chopped red onion
1         Tbsp finely chopped garlic
1/4     cup cilantro, chopped
1/2     cup lemon or lime juice
Salt, to taste

Directions:
Heat cherries and water in a small saucepan. Simmer about 5 minutes, or until cherries have plumped and water is slightly syrupy. Set aside to cool. Meanwhile, roast each ear of corn directly over gas flame on stovetop or over gas grill (just as you would for a roasted pepper), Turn until each ear is slightly charred all around. Set aside to cool. Cut corn kernels from cobs.
Combine corn, cherries with liquid, onion, garlic, cilantro, chilies and lemon juice. Season with salt, to taste.

Yield:   6 – 1/2 cup servings

Dried cherries are a great complement to soft, mild cheeses.  They’re a great addition to a classic quesadilla or a nice touch on a cheese plate.

Ingredients:
1-1/3 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1          cup chopped cooked chicken or chicken luncheon meat
2/3     cup Brownwood Acres Montmorency Dried Tart Cherries
3          Tbsp purchased chipotle-flavored salsa
2          10-inch flour tortillas
Purchased chipotle-flavored salsa (optional)
Light sour cream (optional)
Thinly sliced green onions (optional)

Directions:
To assemble:  layer 1/3 cup cheese, 1/2 cup chicken, 1/3 cup cherries and
1-1/2 tablespoons salsa on half of each tortilla.  Sprinkle each with 1/3 cup of remaining cheese.  Fold tortillas in half; pressing gently.

Spray a nonstick 10- or 12-inch skillet and tops of each quesadilla with no-stick cooking spray.  Heat the skillet over medium-low heat.  Place quesadillas in skillet, bottom sides down.

Cook quesadillas, uncovered, for 9 to 12 minutes or until golden and cheese is melted, carefully turning over once.  Remove quesadillas from skillet.  Cut quesadillas into wedges.  If desired, serve with additional salsa, sour cream and green onions.

Yield:   2 servings

Ingredients:

1          (8-ounce) package reduced fat cream cheese, softened
3          Tbsp FruitFast Montmorency Tart Cherry Juice Concentrate
2          Tbsp granulated sugar
2          Tbsp chopped toasted pecans
1           tsp chopped fresh thyme (or 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme)
Toasted bread or assorted crackers

Directions:
Combine cream cheese and tart cherry juice concentrate; mix until smooth. Stir in sugar, pecans and thyme. Refrigerate, covered, 2 to 3 hours to allow flavors to blend. Use as a spread on toasted breads or as a dip for assorted crackers.

Yield:  1 cup; 8 appetizer servings

Serve this delicious recipe at your next holiday gathering.  It is sure to be a hit.

Ingredients:

1/2     lb wheel of Brie (about 4-inch diameter), at room temperature
1     sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
1/3     cup Brownwood Acres Dried Cherries, coarsely chopped
2     tsp chopped fresh thyme
1     Tbsp unsalted butter, melted

Directions:

Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 425°F.  Slice off the top rind of the Brie and discard. On a sheet of waxed paper or parchment, roll the pastry out to a 12-inch square and cut two 6-inch rounds from it.  Put one of the rounds on a small rimmed baking sheet, sprinkle with half of the dried cherries and thyme, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edge, and gently press so they adhere.

Set the Brie, rind side down, on top of the pastry, sprinkle with the remaining cherries and thyme, and cover with the other pastry. Crimp the edges together to seal in the cheese. Brush the top of the dough with the butter. Bake until the pastry browns, about 20 minutes. Let cool for 15 to 20 minutes and then serve.

Yield:  8 servings

Source:  Fine Cooking, October 22, 2008 (pg. 96)
Photo: Scott Phillips

Serve this dessert at your next Holiday dinner party or it also makes a great appetizer.  Either way this cake bakes up so beautifully; it is light and tangy so you will enjoy this treat no matter how it is served.  I have added a dessert topping using frozen Montmorency cherries and FruitFast Montmorency Cherryflex Liquid Fruit Supplement, but this recipe is so good on its own, a simple drizzle any of the FruitFast Liquid Fruit Supplements over the top will suffice.  As a milk sensitive individual, I am always looking for recipes that I can eat without any problems.   I use goat cheese and sheep cheese as a substitute whenever I can.  The following recipe comes from www.culinaryconcoctionsbypeabody.com/2007/08/03/get-your-goat/ and has been in my collection for awhile, but I did not prepare it until recently.  I regret  not using this recipe sooner, as it is WONDERFUL!
Bon Appetit!

Ingredients:
10     oz goat cheese
1/4    cup sugar
2     Tbsp honey
1     tsp vanilla
1     tsp lemon zest
1     tsp lemon juice
6     eggs, separated
3     Tbsp flour

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350°F.  Combine cheese, sugar, honey, vanilla, zest and juice. Mix well. Add egg yolks, two at a time, mixing to combine after each addition. Stir in flour. Beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Gently fold whites into cheese batter. Pour into well-greased 9 – inch, round baking pan, or springform pan. Bake 25-30 minutes or until wooden skewer comes out clean. Invert onto large plate and cool.

Montmorency Cherry Orange-Cherry Compote

1     cup frozen Montmorency Tart Cherries
1/3     cup orange juice (no pulp)
2     Tbsp honey
1     tsp cornstarch
2    Tbsp FruitFast Montmorency Cherry Liquid Fruit Supplement
splashes of Grand Marnier

Directions:

Whisk together orange juice and cornstarch, making sure it dissolves so there are not clumps. Place the cherries, juice/cornstarch mixture, and honey in a sauce pan. Turn on medium heat. Cool, stirring every 30 seconds or so until it has thickened up.  If it takes forever to thicken, mix a little more cornstarch with a small amount of orange juice and add to the mixture. Remove from heat and add the FruitFast Liquid Fruit Supplement and  splashes of Grand Marnier to taste. Spoon over the Goat Cheese Cake.

The following recipe requires a little bit of practice (or skill), but is well worth the effort.  If you are used to making sushi, this will not be difficult.  For first time sushi makers, practice with the rice alone before incorporating the fruit.

Ingredients:
1 cup cooked Jasmine rice
Assortment of diced fresh fruit (bananas, strawberries, pineapple)
Brownwood Acres Montmorency dried tart cherries and/or
Brownwood Acres dried wild blueberries
Chopped nuts (almonds, walnuts, or pecans)
FruitFast Mixed Berry Liquid Fruit Supplement (or other FruitFast Liquid Fruit Supplement of your choice)

Directions:
Press cooked Jasmine rice on a sushi roller, as per directions.  Add fresh fruit, dried fruit and nuts, then roll to form.  Cut the sushi roll into pieces.  Dip in the Mixed Berry Liquid Fruit Supplement, or drizzle the Liquid Fruit Supplement over the top of the sushi rolls.

This spicy mixture wows traditional salsa lovers.

Ingredients:
1/2  cup    Brownwood Acres Montmorency Dried Tart Cherries
1/2     cup cherry preserves
2     Tbsp red wine vinegar
1/2     cup chopped red onion
1/2     cup chopped yellow bell pepper
1/4     cup chopped jalapeno peppers (approximately 2 medium)
1 to 2     Tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
1     tsp lime or lemon juice

Directions:
Combine dried cherries, preserves, and vinegar in a small microwave-safe bowl; mix well. Microwave on High (100% Power) 1 to 1-1/2 minutes, or until hot.  Let stand 5 minutes.  Stir in red onion, yellow bell peppers, jalapeno peppers, cilantro and lemon juice. Refrigerate, covered, 3 to 4 hours or overnight.  Serve with grilled salmon or tuna.  It’s also excellent as a topping for hamburgers.

Makes 6 to 8 servings