Our Favorite Cherry Recipes for Thanksgiving
With Thanksgiving quickly approaching, we wanted to share some of our favorite dishes for bringing cherry flavor to your table. Our cherry-based recipes have been developed by serious chefs and tested by many of us who work at Chukar. We guarantee that they are great!
Below are the recipes that we serve at our own family Thanksgivings. We know how hectic the kitchen can be and hope that these simple recipes save you time while impressing your guests. Click on any image to be taken to the recipe. Morse Thanksgiving cherry recipes can be found in this this printable holiday recipe book from Northwest Cherries.
Pre-Dinner Drinks: Dried Cherry & Wine Pairing
Total preparation time: 5 minutes. Wow guests with a simple skewer of dried cherries served with a glass of Northwest Chardonnay. A skewer of no sugar added dried cherries is dipped and briefly soaked to bring out the best qualities of the wine. Wine enthusiasts always rave about the incredible flavors that occur when unsweetened, unsulphured cherries and wine are combined.
First Course: Cherry Blue Cheese Salad
Nearly any salad benefits from the addition of dried cherries. Our sugar-free dried cherries add bold flavor without being overly sweet. We particularly enjoy them with a sprinkling of blue cheese and the simple, tangy dressing used in this recipe.
Main Course: Savory Cherry Wine Sauce
Looking for a gravy alternative? This savory sauce is universally delicious on turkey, fish, and red meat. It has a short ingredient list: red wine, dried cherries, a touch of sugar, and a pat of butter. Make ahead and serve over stuffing for rave reviews!
Dessert: Poached Pears in Cherry Wine Sauce
Don't be intimidated by the appearance of this recipe because it's actually quite simple and can be cooked on the stovetop while dinner is being served. Peeled pears are simmered in a. wine-based, cherry sauce. The result is visually stunning and the flavor is sweet without being overpowering: the perfect treat after a large meal.
From our Pacific Northwest kitchen to wherever yours may be, we wish you a very happy Thanksgiving!
