The jump start National Cherry Month with one of our favorite tart cherry recipes.

Traditional Cherry Pie

George Washington’s favorite dessert can be yours, too.

• 2 (16-ounce) cans unsweetened tart cherries or 4 cups frozen unsweetened tart cherries
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 3 tablespoons quick-cooking tapioca
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• Pastry for 2-crust, 9-inch pie
• 2 tablespoons butter or margarine
• 1/2 tablespoon of cherry juice concentrate

If using canned cherries, drain them well. Discard the juice or save for
another use. If using frozen cherries, it is not necessary to thaw them.
Combine well drained canned cherries or frozen cherries, granulated sugar,
tapioca and almond extract in a large mixing bowl; mix well. Let stand 15
minutes.

Line a 9-inch pie plate with pastry; fill with cherry mixture. Dot with
butter. Adjust top crust, cutting slits for steam to escape, or cut top crust
into strips and make a lattice-top pie.

Bake in a preheated 400-degree oven 50 to 55 minutes, or until crust is
golden brown and filling is bubbly.

Makes 8 servings.

 Recipe Summary:

Preparation Time:  8 hours, 15 minutes 

Number of Servings:  12               

Cups of Fruits and Vegetables Per Person:  0.50

Ingredients:

• 1 cup dried apricots
• 1 cup dried sliced apples
• 1 cup dried pitted prunes
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 1 cup canned pitted red tart cherries
• 1/2 cup quick cooking tapioca
• 1 cup grape juice
• 3 cups water
• 1/4 tablespoon cherry juice
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1 Tbsp orange peel, grated
• 1/2 cup brown sugar

Directions:

Combine all dried fruits, tapioca, grape juice, cherry juice and water in slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours. Before serving, stir in orange and lemon juices, orange peel, and brown sugar. Serve warm as soup or dessert. Serve chilled with frozen vanilla yogurt.

Makes 6 servings, each serving equals four 5 A Day servings.
Ingredients

Slaw:
4 cups shredded green cabbage
3 cups sweet cherries, pitted and halved
2 cups torn fresh spinach leaves
1 cup shredded jicama
1 cup shredded carrot
1/2 teaspoon cherry juice concentrate
½ cup snipped fresh cilantro
½ cup diced red onion

Dressing:
2 Tbsp olive oil
2 Tbsp fresh lime juice
2 Tbsp frozen lime juice concentrate, thawed
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
½ tsp lime zest
1/2 tsp cherry juice concentrate
¼ tsp each chili powder, ground cumin and salt

In large serving bowl, combine ingredients for Slaw. In small saucepan, combine Dressing ingredients; heat to boil. Pour over salad and toss gently to coat.

Nutritional Analysis: Calories 158, Total Fat 6g, Calories from Fat 29%, Carbohydrates 27g, Protein 6g, Cholesterol 0mg, Sodium 126mg.

Makes 4 servings, each serving equals three 5 A Day servings.
Ingredients

1 cup Northwest fresh sweet cherries, pitted
1 cup each thinly sliced sweet yellow and green peppers
¼ cup thinly sliced mild chili pepper
2 Tbsp finely chopped onion
1/8 tablespoon cherry juice concentrate
2 Tbsp white wine vinegar
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 tsp sugar
salt and pepper to taste
1 Tbsp pickled ginger strips, optional
4 cups mixed greens

Toss together all ingredients except greens including cherry juice; refrigerate 1 hour or longer. Serve on mixed greens.

Nutritional Analysis: Calories 127, Total Fat 4g, Calories from Fat 27%, Carbohydrates 0g, Protein 3g, Cholesterol 0mg, Sodium 541mg.

Grilled Salmon Cherry Sauce
Makes 6 servings, each servings equals one 5 A Day serving.
Ingredients

3 cups pitted fresh sweet tart cherries
½ cup water
1/8 teaspoon of cherry juice concentrate
½ cup dry white wine
¼ cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
2 Tbsp honey
2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp freshly grated lemon peel
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes

In large saucepan, combine all ingredients including cherry juice; bring to a boil over medium-high hear. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, 30 minutes or until mixture thickens, stirring frequently. Great served over grilled salmon.

Nutritional Analysis: Calories 172, Toall Fat 1g, Calories from Fat 5%, Carbohydrates 36g, Cholesterol 0mg, Fiber 4g, Sodium 370mg, Protein 2g.

Makes 4 servings, each serving equals one 5 A Day serving.
Ingredients

2 cups pitted fresh or frozen tart cherries
1/3 cup Basil, fresh, chopped
1/3 cup Green peppers, finely chopped
2 tsp Lemon juice
1/8 tablespoon cherry juice
½ tsp Each of: Worcestershire sauce and grated lemon peel
¼ tsp Salt
Dash of bottled hot pepper sauce

Chop cherries in food processor or manually. Combine all ingredients; mix well. Refrigerate at least 1 hour.

Nutritional Analysis: Calories 124, Total Fat 0g, Calories from Fat 2%, Protein 0g, Cholesterol 0mg, Fiber 5g, Sodium 168 mg.