It’s time cherries were appreciated a little more. I rejoice when berries come into season and their prices are slashed in half, but I tend to overlook the new cherries. It must be because beyond your basic pie or cobbler, I usually can’t think of anything fun to do with them.
Here are three fresh ideas I’m eager to try — and give cherries the spotlight they deserve. Don’t let those pits deter you, either; removing them is easy with our time-saving Cherry Pitter.
 Blend them into a soup
Cherry soup? Why not! Our Chilled Sour Cherry Soup with Tarragon caught my eye because of the rich lipstick-style hue, and red wine and heavy cream make for surprising additions. This unexpected dish could replace a traditional gazpacho to kick off an elegant spring dinner. |
 Put them in a pocket
Individual desserts are all the craze in restaurants now, and I love the look of these sweet Cherry Pocket Pies. Williams-Sonoma’s Pocket Pie Molds create cute shapes, which are easy to eat on the run. |
 Sip them in the sunThe days are warming up and slowing down. Do I really need another excuse to sip a Cherry Sparkler? Fresh cherry juice beats maraschinos any day, and sparkling water lends a delightful little fizz to this drink. |
