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As we know, cherries in syrup are a perfect alternative for professionals when the cherry season ends and, although its preparation is simple, most prefer to purchase the packaged product to use it when necessary.
Although many people associate cherries with desserts, the truth is that few think that cherries are also used in other dishes that are not desserts, but after reading this article you will see that there are many ways to use cherries, they are not only for decoration!
How to use cherries in cooking dishes that are not desserts
Although cherries have always been associated with desserts or eaten alone, most chefs always have cherries in syrup on hand to use in first and second courses, with meat and fish. For example, to prepare sauces that will later accompany stewed or roasted meat, in salads, soups or as an accompaniment to meat and fish.
It is often used a lot with baked pork tenderloin, duck breast and red meats, also in typical barbecue meats, such as prey, bacon or secreto ibérico (pork steak with a lot of fine white striping), it combines perfectly with cherry sauce.
One of the ways to prepare the sauce of cherries in syrup is using brown sugar, balsamic vinegar and cornstarch flour (in spanish known as maicena). Another way to make the sauce is to use cherry jam and sugar. Let’s see now some dishes where cherries in syrup provide a delicious touch.
Gazpacho with cherries
It is undoubtedly one of the star dishes of the summer and one of the most consumed in Spanish cuisine. Although seasonal cherries are available in the summer months, gazpacho can also be eaten in autumn and cherries in syrup are used for its preparation.
We replace part of the tomatoes with cherries, they are cut in half and the bones are removed, then they are crushed together with the rest of the gazpacho ingredients: tomato, cucumber, onion and wet bread. You can reserve some pieces of cherry without crushing to serve them with the gazpacho. The introduction of cherries gives an extra flavor and freshness to this exquisite dish.
White tuna tartare with cherries in syrup and ajoblanco
This dish, apart from being exquisite, is visually very attractive and can be used as a starter or as a main course. The tuna is chopped and left in a bowl to dress with grated ginger, spring onion, oil, lemon juice and soy sauce. We let it marinate for half an hour and then we pit the cherries in syrup and cut them into very small pieces, then mix the cherries with the tuna and a thick ajoblanco. They are served in spoons or small tasting plates.
Pork tenderloin with cherry sauce and salad
This simple recipe is delicious to accompany pork tenderloins. To do this, cut the tenderloins into thick slices and brown them for two minutes in the pan. We add salt and pepper. Poach the finely chopped onion and add cherry pieces with a little white wine.
The salad can be made with slices of baked potato, green beans and pieces of boiled egg, although you can include fresh cheese or any other ingredient that you like. Sauce with a vinaigrette made of salt, oil and mustard. Finally we serve the sirloins with the salad and the cherry sauce. The result will surprise you.
Stuffed squid with cherry sauce
This dish provides a very interesting mix of flavors. There are many ways to make the sauce. For this dish you can use minced meat, chopped onion and chopped cherries in syrup. Then, you put a little of the sauce on lettuce hearts, roll them up and insert them into the squid pod.
The next step is to sauté the squid tentacles in a pan with oil over high heat and add the stuffed squid to lightly brown them. You can pour wine or cava into the pan and let it emulsify. When serving, whole cherries or pieces can be placed on top to decorate and also taste as one more ingredient.
Roast beef with cherries
For this recipe we need about 200 grams of cherries (4 servings) , we blend half of them. With regards to the beef round, we add salt, pepper, cinnamon, cloves, Port wine, lemon juice and oil. Let it macerate for half an hour and then put it in the oven at 180º for 25 minutes. You have to turn it from time to time so that it browns evenly. We incorporate the cherry sauce, the whole cherries and a little cardamom. We leave it in the oven for another 25 minutes and, when it’s time to serve, we cut thick slices of the beef round and accompany it with the cherries.
These are just some ideas for using cherries in syrup in cooking dishes that are not desserts, there are hundreds of them where cherries in syrup can be used in different combinations, keep an eye on our blog to learn more delicious ways to use cherries in syrup. At Lazaya we have our own cherry plantations and we are experts in serving fruits in syrup to professionals. We have a wide catalog of fruits, formats and packaging. Contact us and tell us what you need.
