BREAKFAST

                                                                      Cherry French Toast

Yield: 2-4 Servings

1-1/2 cups milk
6 eggs
1/3 cup maple syrup
3 tablespoons sugar, divided
1 tablespoon grated orange peel
1/8 teaspoon salt
8 slices (4-1/2 x 3-1/2 x 1/2-inch) French bread
4 cups pitted Northwest fresh sweet cherries, halved
1/2 cup orange juice
                             Vanilla yogurt

                                  Yield: 2-4 Servings

Combine milk, eggs, maple syrup, 2 tablespoons sugar, orange peel and salt; mix well. Pour half of mixture into each of two 9-inch square baking dishes. Dip both sides of each slice of bread in milk mixture; arrange in the same baking dish. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. Marinate cherries in orange juice and remaining 1 tablespoon sugar overnight. Carefully transfer slices to a nonstick, buttered baking sheet using a large spatula; allow excess liquid to drip into pan used for soaking. Bake in a preheated 400°F oven 15 to 18 minutes; turn slices over halfway through baking time. Top each slice with 1/2 cup cherries and a dollop of vanilla yogurt. Serve immediately.

LUNCH                                   Cherry Burgers

Yield: 4 Servings

1 pound lean ground beef
1 cup pitted and chopped Northwest fresh sweet cherries
1/4 cup chopped shallots
2 tbsp chopped fresh basil
1 small clove garlic, minced
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
3/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
Hot Cherry Orange Relish
4 whole wheat hamburger buns
4 large lettuce leaves

Combine ground beef, cherries, shallots, basil, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper, mix well. Form meat into 4 patties. Barbecue patties over medium heat about 15 minutes, turning once halfway through cooking time, for medium doneness or cook to desired degree of doneness. Toast hamburger buns over barbecue grill if desired. Place lettuce leaf on bottom half of hamburger bun,

beef patty on lettuce and top with relish.
Makes 4 servings.

Hot Cherry Orange Relish
Combine 1 cup chopped Northwest fresh sweet cherries, 1/2 cup chopped unpeeled orange, 1/2 cup chopped sweet onion, and 1 chopped pickled jalapeno pepper. Season to taste with salt and pepper, if desired.
Makes about 1-1/2 cups.

For More Cherry Recipes:  http://www.nwcherries.com/

Courtesy:  Northwest Cherries