in season
Cherries
Cherries are another summer fruit that
has a fairly short growing season in the
UK. From mid July until the end of
August British cherries are at their
best. Most of the cultivated cherries will
come from Kent. The best will be firm,
plump and shiny. Avoid paler, shrivelled
cherries as these are past their best or
not fully ripe and won’t have anywhere
near the flavour of the riper ones. Store
them in the fridge as they won’t keep
long in a warmer atmosphere. Sweet,
fully ripened cherries are great just
eaten as they are, fresh off the stalk.
Sour cherries are great with fatty meats
such as duck or even as part of a light
and zingy British salsa!
BLACK CHERRY AND VANILLA
CLAFOUTIS
Serves 6
- Prepare a baking tray and cut 1Ib of ripe pitted black cherries in half and spread them over the base of the tin.
- Mix together 4oz of plain flour with 4oz of sugar, seeds from 1 vanilla pod and a pinch of salt.
- Add 3 beaten eggs one by one and continue to mix until you have a smooth paste.
- Gradually mix in ½ pint of milk to form a thick batter.
- Pour the mix over the cherries and bake in a preheated oven at 180°c for approximately 20 minutes.
- Allow to cool for 10 minutes then serve with ice-cream or clotted cream.
