Cherry picking

As you may already know, one great way to reduce your grocery bill is to take advantage of produce that it is in season- and right now it’s cherry season!

Superfruit

Not only are cherries yummy, they are jam packed full of nutrition. Full of antioxidants that help fight cancer, aging and aching joint, they also help improve your eyesight and help you get a better night’s sleep. Note — when cooking with cherries, pit and clean them before hand!

Bread and Cherry Salad 

Cube a day old baguette and place pieces on baking sheet. Brush with oil and bake for about 10 minutes, or until crispy. Coarsely mash about ¼ pound of cherries and add a tsp of garlic and toss. Once bread has cooled slightly, toss with cherry mixture and add about another ¼ cup of cherries. Toss the mixture with a tbsp of balsamic vinegar. Add chopped lettuce and crumble goat cheese on top- you’ve got yourself a hearty meal salad.

Pork chops with cherry sauce

Pork is a meat that lends itself wonderfully to fruit. Fruit glazes, compotes and sauces amplify the flavour- and cherries are no different.

Season four pork chops with salt and pepper and heat the grill. While the chops are cooking, heat butter in a saucepan. Add a chopped onion and saute until opaque. Next, add a cup of cherries and a half cup of red wine. Simmer until cherries have softened and the sauce is a nice velvety texture. Serve over the pork chops.

Cherry pancakes

Prepare pancakes however you like (I’m a mix from a box kind of girl). Mix ¼ cup of water with tsp of cornstarch. Put butter in a skillet and melt. Add a cup of cherries, the water mixture and 2 tbsp of brown sugar. Simmer until sugar is dissolved and mixture is bubbly. Pour over your pancakes and enjoy!