Cherry Coulis Recipes

Steps:

• Combine frozen fruit, sugar, and salt in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir to combine, and heat until fruit is thawed and just warmed through, about 5 minutes. Do not boil.
• Transfer to the bowl of a small food processor. Blend until smooth, 15 to 20 seconds.
• Strain mixture using a fine-mesh strainer, pressing solids with the back of a spoon. Stir lemon juice into the coulis and serve.

Steps:

• If cherries are fresh, cook in water to cover over medium heat until falling off the pits; drain. If caned, drain, reserving 1/4 cup of the juice.
• Place in a small saucepan with juice or water; add orange and lemon juices. Heat until warmed through.
• Press through a fine sieve into a bowl. Stir in sugar while still hot. Stir until dissolved.
• When ready to serve, reheat over low heat.

Steps:

• For the cake and peaches: Heat a grill to medium-high heat and oil the grates with vegetable oil.
• Grill the cakes until dark grill marks appear, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Grill the flesh side of the peaches until dark grill marks appear, about 5 minutes. Set aside.
• In a cold stand mixer bowl using a whisk attachment, combine the whipping cream, mascarpone, honey and vanilla. Whip to medium-stiff peaks. Set aside.
• For the cherry coulis: In a blender, blend the cherries, champagne vinegar, dark brown sugar and 2 tablespoons water until the mixture is smooth. Transfer to a small saucepot and heat until the sugar dissolves. Strain out any solids if necessary and set aside to cool.
• In each of 4 shallow bowls, put a small puddle of coulis. Add a cake on top of that, followed by the grilled peaches and a nice dollop of the mascarpone cream. Garnish with a happy helping of crushed pistachios.

Steps:

• Put the cherries into a wide, deep frying pan, add 150ml water, then bring to the boil. Cook for 15 mins, stirring now and again until the fruit is starting to soften. Tip in the sugar, stir until it dissolves, add the lemon juice and brandy, then bring back to the boil.
• Cook for 15 mins until the fruit has collapsed a little and the sauce is syrupy, smooth and dark purple. Spoon a little of the juice onto a saucer and leave to cool for 30 secs. Push it with your finger; it's ready if the syrup wrinkles. Ladle into sterilised jars (see tip, below) and seal.