Cherry Chocolate Beignets With Vanilla Stewed Cherries Recipes

CHERRY VANILLA BLINTZES WITH NECTARINES AND CHERRIES, FLAMBEED IN SHLIVOVITZ

Steps:

• For the crepes: Put all of the ingredients except the butter into a food processor or blender and process until smooth, about 10 seconds. If necessary, scrape down any solids that stick to the sides. Add the butter and process for a few more seconds to blend. Refrigerate, covered, for at least 2 hours or overnight. Set a 10-inch, non-stick crepe pan over moderately high heat, then spray with non-stick vegetable spray. When nice and hot, remove the pan from the heat and add 2 tablespoons of batter, swirling to coat the bottom of the pan. Cook for 1 1/2 minutes until lightly browned. Set aside on a plate, cooked side up, and continue with the remainder of the batter.
• For the filling: In a small saucepan, cover the cherries with water and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat and let rest. In a bowl, mix the cream cheese, vanilla, sugar, and egg until blended. Gently mix in the pot, farmer, or cottage cheese. Drain the cherries and mix them in.
• Place 2 tablespoons of filling in the lower center of the blintz. Fold up once from the bottom, and then fold over the sides. Roll up the rest of the way. Repeat with the rest. Heat 1 tablespoon of canola oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a pan. In small batches (4), fry the blintzes fold side down until golden brown. Gently flip to fry the other side. Serve with sour cream, and Nectarines and Cherries, Flambeed in Shlivoviz.
• In a bowl, whisk together the cherry juice and cornstarch. In a hot saute pan, melt the butter. Add the sugar, then the nectarines. Carefully pour in the shlivovitz. If it does not burst into flames spontaneously, ignite with a match. Gently swirl the pan and baste the nectarines until the flames die out. Add the cherry juice mixture and cook until bubbling for 10 seconds. Take the sauce off the heat; add the thawed and fresh cherries.

BAGUETTE STUFFED WITH BRIE AND CHERRIES

Steps:

• For the compote: In a small saucepan on medium-high heat, add the cherries, wine, salt, pepper and thyme and stir. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat slightly to medium. Continue to cook at a rapid simmer until the liquid is reduced by half, 25 to 30 minutes. Turn off the heat and let cool, then remove the thyme sprigs.
• For the baguette: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Using a paring knife, cut a deep "v" on the top of the baguette. Pull out some of the soft bread to create a deep crevice. Place the Brie slices into the crevice, overlapping each slice. Transfer to a baking sheet.
• Bake until the cheese is melted and the bread is slightly toasted, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board. Spoon the cherry compote over the melted Brie. Slice into thick slices, garnish with the remaining thyme sprig and serve.

CHERRY VANILLA JUBILEE SUNDAE

Steps:

• Place the brownies and ice cream in chilled bowls and set aside in the refrigerator. Thaw and strain the frozen cherries. In a medium saucepan, whisk together the juice from the frozen cherries, brandy and the cornstarch. In a saute pan, over high heat, melt the butter and sugar. Add the fresh and frozen cherries. Carefully pour in the brandy mixture. If it does not burst into flames spontaneously, ignite with a match. Gently swirl the pan. Soak the sugar cubes in the rum. Pour the cherries around the ice cream. Top with a glob of marshmallow cream and plant a sugar cube on top. Light the cube with a match.
• Marshmallow Cream: In a small saucepan fitted with a candy thermometer, bring the water, corn syrup, and 3/4 cup of the sugar to 246 degrees F (firm ball). In the meantime, in a completely clean, dry mixing bowl, with an electric mixer, whisk the egg whites, salt, and cream of tartar until creamy and foamy, about 2 minutes. Still whisking, sprinkle in the remaining 1 tablespoon of sugar and continue to whisk until the whites hold very soft peaks, about 2 minutes. While mixing on slow speed, carefully drizzle in the hot syrup. Turn the mixer to high and whisk until thick, fluffy, and just warm, about 7 minutes. Turn the mixer to low and whisk in the vanilla.

CHOCOLATE-DIPPED CHERRIES

Steps:

• Finely chop 1/2 pound dark chocolate. Combine three-quarters of the chocolate and 1 teaspoon coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring, until the chocolate is melted; stir in the remaining chocolate until smooth. Dip 1 pound fresh cherries in the chocolate by the stems and set on parchment paper. Let harden at room temperature.

HANGER STEAK WITH BRANDIED CHERRIES

Steps:

• For the marinade: Combine the soy sauce, soy oil, balsamic vinegar, mirin, black peppercorns, sugar and salt in a blender and blend well. Mix with the garlic, thyme and rosemary.
• Pour the marinade over the steaks and refrigerate for at least 6 hours.
• For the cherry sauce: Gently saute the shallots in half the butter in a heavy-bottomed pot until soft and translucent. Add the mustard and cook for one minute. Hold the pan away from the flame, add the brandy, and then return to the flame to ignite and flambe the shallots. When the flame dies down, add the cherries with their rehydrating liquid and the veal stock. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes, and then stir in the remaining butter. Finish with the tarragon and lots of freshly cracked pepper.
• Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat and add some oil. Pat the steaks dry with a paper towel and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Saute until nicely browned all around, about 7 minutes for medium rare. Remove and let rest for at least 2 minutes on a paper towel. Place the steaks on a large plate and ladle the sauce directly on top. Serve immediately.

DEVIL'S FOOD CAKE WITH VANILLA BAKED CHERRIES

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 340 degrees F. Spray the inside of a medium (32-ounce) reusable oven-safe silicone container with nonstick cooking spray.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Add the coffee, oil and buttermilk and mix until well combined. Add the egg and vanilla and whisk until the batter is smooth, 2 minutes or so. Pour the batter into the prepared container and place it standing up on a baking sheet with the seal open. Bake until a toothpick can be inserted into the center of the cake and removed cleanly, about 50 minutes. Let cool completely, about 1 hour.
• For the vanilla baked cherries: Combine the cherries, sugar and vanilla in a small (16-ounce) reusable oven-safe silicone container. In a small bowl, combine the lemon juice and cornstarch; pour over the cherries in the container. Zip the container, leaving the seal open 1 inch to vent. Place the container standing up on a baking sheet and bake until the cherries are simmering in liquid, about 30 minutes.
• Open the container carefully. Stir the cherries and allow to cool completely, about 1 hour.
• For serving: Invert the medium container and gently press to remove the cake then cut it into 4 slices. Top with the vanilla baked cherries and ice cream or whipped cream.