Chopped Cherries Oven Dried Recipes

CHERRY GLAZED PORK CHOPS WITH SMASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• Position an oven rack 5 to 6 inches below the heat source and preheat the broiler to high.
• Pierce the potatoes all over with a fork. Put the potatoes on a microwave-safe plate with 2 tablespoons water and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Microwave until tender, about 10 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes.
• Carefully uncover, drain the potatoes and transfer them to a baking sheet. Top with 2 tablespoons olive oil and half the chopped thyme. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and toss to coat. Smash each potato by pressing down with a metal spatula until it flattens. Set aside.
• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large ovenproof nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels and sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper. Sear until golden brown on one side, about 2 minutes, then flip and cook until golden brown on the second side, about 2 minutes more (the pork chops will not be cooked through at this point). Transfer to a plate.
• Reduce the heat to medium. Add the shallot, dried cherries and the remaining thyme and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar and 1/4 cup water and simmer until slightly thickened, about 3 minutes. Stir in the cherry jam and season to taste with salt and pepper. Remove from the heat.
• Transfer 2 tablespoons of the glaze and the remaining 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar to a large bowl and whisk to combine. Slowly whisk in the remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil to make a vinaigrette. Set aside.
• Broil the potatoes until warm and golden, about 5 minutes. Set aside.
• Stir 2 tablespoons water into the remaining glaze in the skillet and bring to a simmer over high heat. Add the pork chops and any juices that have accumulated on the plate and turn over several times to coat with glaze. Return the pan to the oven and broil until the glaze is bubbly and thick and the pork chops are cooked through, about 2 minutes. (The pork chops should reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees F when measured with an instant-read thermometer.)
• Meanwhile, add the salad greens to the bowl with the dressing and toss to coat. Transfer the pork chops to a serving dish and pour the remaining glaze on top. Serve with the smashed potatoes and salad.

CHOPPED CHERRIES OVEN DRIED

Steps:

• You may chop the cherries or cut each cherry in half.
• Place the cherries on baking trays or on trays in a dehydrator.
• Set oven 180* or 200*. Turn twice during the drying period.
• Should be dry in 6 to 8 hours, depending on how many cherries on each tray.
• Cool. Pack in Ziplock bags.
• Add cornstarch to bag and shake to mix.

OVEN-DRIED CHERRIES

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 300 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment, and set aside.
• In a medium bowl, toss red cherries with balsamic vinegar and 1 tablespoon sugar. In another bowl, toss yellow cherries with white balsamic vinegar and remaining tablespoon sugar. Let cherries stand 30 minutes.
• Arrange cherries cut-sides up on the prepared baking sheets. Bake until cherries are wrinkled but still moist, 30 to 40 minutes. Transfer sheets to a wire rack to cool completely. Store the cherries in an airtight container, refrigerated, up to 1 week.

PORK LOIN CHOPS WITH CHERRY-APPLE STUFFING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter a 2 1/2-quart casserole dish.
• Mix apple, chicken broth, cherries, walnuts, stuffing mix, celery, onion, and melted butter together in a large bowl; transfer to the prepared casserole dish.
• Season pork chops with salt and black pepper.
• Heat olive oil in a large, non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Cook pork chops in hot oil until browned on one side, 2 to 3 minutes. Arrange the chops atop the stuffing mixture with the browned side facing up; press into the stuffing. Cover dish with aluminum foil.
• Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove aluminum foil and continue baking until pork chops are cooked through, about 10 to 15 minutes more. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 145 degrees F (63 degrees C).