Cherries In Spiced Wine Syrup Recipes

PRESERVED CHERRIES IN SPICED PORT

Steps:

• Wash a 4 cup capacity glass preserving jar with a plastic lid in hot, soapy water, rinse well, and drain throughly.
• Place the water, sugar, star anise, vanilla bean and orange rind in a saucepan over a low heat. Cook, stirring, for 3 minutes or until the sugar dissolves. Increase the heat to high and bring to the boil. Add the cherries. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 3-4 minutes or until the cherries soften slightly.
• Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cherries, star anise, vanilla bean and orange rind to the glass preserving jar.
• Bring the syrup to the boil over a high heat and boil for 5 minutes or until the syrup thickens. Add the port, and again bring to the boil. Use a thermometer to ensure the syrup reaches 80°C, then pour the syrup over the cherries in the preserving jar and seal immediately. Turn upside down for 2 minutes. Turn upright and set aside until cool. Label, date and store in the fridge for up to a month.

CHERRIES IN SYRUP

Steps:

• Pit the cherries with a cherry pitter. Place in a large bowl. Add the sugar, vanilla extract, and star anise. Stir well. Cover with a kitchen cloth. Let sit for 20-25 hours.
• Strain the cherries and reserve the liquid. Pour the liquid into a large heavy-bottomed pot. Add the water and the star anise that was already in the cherry bowl. Bring to a boil, lower the heat to medium-low and simmer the syrup for about 15 minutes. The syrup should not thicken too much.
• Add the cherries and simmer on low heat for another 5 minutes or until the cherries are softer. The syrup should not be too thick, it should remain pourable. Remove the foam and the star anise from the pot.
• Divide the cherries into sterilized jars and pour the liquid over the fruit, they should be completely covered. Seal well.
• Let cool and keep in a dark cool place. They will keep for at least 3 months. You could can the jars, if desired, they will keep even longer. Once opened, keep refrigerated and eat within 4-5 days.

CHERRIES SIMMERED IN RED WINE

Steps:

• Stir wine and sugar in heavy large saucepan over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Add cherries. Bring to boil. Remove from heat; let stand 5 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer cherries to medium bowl.
• Boil cooking liquid until reduced to 2 cups, about 25 minutes. Mix in orange peel, almond extract and nutmeg. Cool. Pour syrup over cherries; toss. Cover; chill until cold. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Keep chilled.) Spoon cherry mixture into bowls and serve.