Cherry Salsa

Cherry Salsa

by | Jan 24, 2020 | APPETIZERS, CONDIMENTS AND SAUCES | 2 comments

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Cherry Salsa tops three goat cheese crostini on a wooden serving board.

Cherry Salsa is sweet, spicy and delicious on goat cheese crostini, baked Brie, chicken cutlets or grilled meats. Simplicity is good and this quick and easy recipe can be ready for guests without much fuss. The dried cherries offer a nice texture to the salsa and the freshly chopped jalapenos, lime and vinegar balance the cherry jam. It’s so good!

Ingredients for Cherry Salsa arranged on and around a wooden cutting board with a bowl of dried cherries in the background.

My favourite way to eat this lovely Cherry Salsa is dabbed on crisp crostini smeared with goat cheese. The tang and creaminess of the goat cheese make it a great pairing with the salsa and the combo makes for an easy company friendly appetizer. Another great way to use Cherry Salsa is as a baked brie topping. Simply spoon the salsa onto your hot baked brie and serve with crisp crackers, crostini or crudites. I originally found this Cherry Salsa paired up pecan-crusted chicken wings. I’ve prepared pecan-crusted chicken cutlets in the past and thought this would also be a wonderful way to use the salsa in a main course. I was not disappointed as the crunchy, nutty cutlets beg for the sweet, spiciness that the salsa offers. The recipe for pecan-crusted chicken cutlets will be coming to the blog soon, so be sure to check back.

Looking for more company friendly appetizers?

Tomato Confit

Scallops with Tarragon Cream Sauce

Miso Shrimp

Author: Compelled to Cook, adapted from Food.com

Cherry Salsa tops three goat cheese crostini on a wooden serving board.
Cherry Salsa
Print Recipe
    Servings Prep Time
    1 cup 20 minutes
    Passive Time
    30+ minutes
    Servings Prep Time
    1 cup 20 minutes
    Passive Time
    30+ minutes
    Cherry Salsa tops three goat cheese crostini on a wooden serving board.
    Cherry Salsa
    Print Recipe
      Servings Prep Time
      1 cup 20 minutes
      Passive Time
      30+ minutes
      Servings Prep Time
      1 cup 20 minutes
      Passive Time
      30+ minutes
      Ingredients
      Servings: cup
      Instructions
      1. Chop dried cherries and combine with cherry jam in a mini food processor or blender. Pulse several times until cherries are about the size of a pea or smaller. Add remaining ingredients and pulse 2-3 times to combine.
      2. Scoop into a serving dish, cover and chill for at least 30 minutes to meld flavours. Use as a topping for crostini, baked brie, breaded chicken cutlets or grilled meats.
      Recipe Notes

      -I find there is a need to first chop the cherries before adding to the food processor because everything becomes too processed in the time it takes the dried cherries to break down.  By chopping the cherries first, the mixture retains most of its texture yet everything is combined.

      -If a food processor is not available, simply chop everything by hand and combine.

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      Affiliate Disclosure

      I may receive compensation for purchases made through this site, at no cost to the purchaser. Compelled to Cook is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com
      Cherry Almond Danish

      Cherry Almond Danish

      by | May 7, 2019 | BREAKFAST AND BRUNCH | 0 comments

      It’s all about mom! Surprise her in bed with a warm, flaky danish and a cup of coffee. I know I would be thrilled at such a gesture. This lovely Cherry Almond Danish is made with ready-made puff pastry and can be assembled ahead of time, making it easy to have ready for the oven. With its flaky pastry, fruity filling and cream cheese layer, this danish makes for a perfect brunch item for Easter, Mother’s Day or any entertaining occasion.

      Using pre-made puff pastry gives you peace of mind that it will be flaky and golden with very little effort. The cherry sauce has a hint of almond flavouring as does the sticky sweet glaze and it’s topped with toasted almonds. It’s a combination I love and it’s so easy to make, giving you no excuse not to treat that special lady or welcomed quests.

      Need more ideas?

      Blueberry French Toast Bake

      Guilt Free Eggs Benny

      Sweet Orange Ginger Rolls

      Author: Compelled to Cook

      A slice of Cherry Almond Danish sits on a white plate with a fork to the side. The plate sits on a flowered cloth that is draped over a wooden tray with a cup of black coffee in the upper right corner.
      Cherry Almond Danish
      Print Recipe
        Servings Prep Time
        8 1 1/2" slices 40 minutes
        Cook Time
        25-28 minutes
        Servings Prep Time
        8 1 1/2" slices 40 minutes
        Cook Time
        25-28 minutes
        A slice of Cherry Almond Danish sits on a white plate with a fork to the side. The plate sits on a flowered cloth that is draped over a wooden tray with a cup of black coffee in the upper right corner.
        Cherry Almond Danish
        Print Recipe
          Servings Prep Time
          8 1 1/2" slices 40 minutes
          Cook Time
          25-28 minutes
          Servings Prep Time
          8 1 1/2" slices 40 minutes
          Cook Time
          25-28 minutes
          Ingredients
          Danish
          Glaze
          Servings: 1 1/2" slices
          Instructions
          Danish
          1. Combine cherries and sugar in a medium saucepan and cook over medium heat until cherries are soft and syrupy about 10 minutes.
          2. In a small bowl whisk together 1 tbsp of cornstarch and 1 tbsp cold water. Stir into cherries and whisk constantly over medium-high heat until mixture comes to a full boil.
          3. Remove from heat and stir in almond extract. Allow to cool for about 10-15 minutes.
          4. Preheat oven to 425℉ and line a heavy baking sheet with parchment.
          5. In a small bowl cream together cream cheese, 1 tbsp of powdered sugar and vanilla.
          6. Lay puff pastry sheet on parchment and stretch slightly in width and length to 11-12".
          7. Using a pastry scraper or knife cut 1" wide fingers on the top and bottom third of pastry (length of fingers will be 3-4") and the centre 4" portion will be uncut (see photo).
          8. Spread cream cheese evenly along the centre uncut 4" portion of pastry.
          9. Spread cherry filling evenly on top of the cream cheese filling, leaving the fingers uncovered.
          10. Pull fingers across filling, alternating sides as you go (it's ok to have some small spaces in the pastry). Tuck any excess pastry underneath.
          11. In a small bowl whisk together egg and 1 tbsp milk or cream. Brush generously onto pastry.
          12. Bake in preheated oven for 25-28 minutes until golden and puffed. Remove from oven to a cooling rack for 5 minutes.
          Glaze
          1. In a small bowl whisk together 1/2cup powdered sugar and 1 tbsp milk or cream. Drizzle over pastry while warm and sprinkle with toasted almonds.
          2. Serve warm, cutting into 1 1/2" slices.
          Recipe Notes

          -Toast almonds in a preheated 350℉ oven for 10-12 minutes, stirring once.

          -Using a pastry cutter to cut fingers allows a clean cut without cutting through the parchment.

          Product Favourites!

          Affiliate Disclosure

          I may receive compensation for purchases made through this site, at no cost to the purchaser. Compelled to Cook is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com
          Chocolate Cherry Loaf

          Chocolate Cherry Loaf

          by | Jul 2, 2018 | BREAKFAST AND BRUNCH, DESSERTS, CAKES AND SQUARES, QUICK BREADS, SNACKS | 0 comments

          As much as it pains me to turn my oven on in the summer, giving off unnecessary heat when the goal is to keep the house cool, I just can’t stop baking for months.  I ask myself who could?  I guess as a food blogger the thought astonishes me and as I write this I’m shaking my head and thinking, “nope, it can’t be done”.  Lucky for both you and me that I feel this way, because out of the heat rises the most amazing Chocolate Cherry Loaf.

          I’m a big fan of loaves!  Not because they’re moist, tender, buttery, filled with nuts or chocolate, it’s because they’re simple, versatile and generally quite easy to prepare.  I also like the ability to cut the loaf into thick slices, wrap individually and grab and go right from the freezer.  My husband Mark calls them “loafcicles” and sometimes can’t wait long enough to let it thaw completely before munching away.  You could say he’s got a bit of a sweet tooth.  That makes this Chocolate Cherry Loaf right up his alley.  It’s a little indulgent with cream cheese, chunky cherry sauce and chocolate chips, and a small slice is all you need to battle that sweet craving.  You’ll find Chocolate Cherry Loaf a yummy change from banana or lemon and worth turning your oven on for.  Enjoy!

          Recipe source for Chocolate Cherry Loaf:  Inspired by Roti n’ Rice Raspberry Swirl Cream Cheese Pound Cake

          Chocolate Cherry Loaf
          Print Recipe
            Servings Prep Time
            1 loaf 30 minutes
            Cook Time
            55-65 minutes
            Servings Prep Time
            1 loaf 30 minutes
            Cook Time
            55-65 minutes
            Chocolate Cherry Loaf
            Print Recipe
              Servings Prep Time
              1 loaf 30 minutes
              Cook Time
              55-65 minutes
              Servings Prep Time
              1 loaf 30 minutes
              Cook Time
              55-65 minutes
              Ingredients
              Servings: loaf
              Instructions
              1. Combine cherries and sugar in a small sauce pan and heat to a simmer over medium heat. Stir water and cornstarch together in a small bowl and add to cherries, stirring constantly until combine and mixture returns to a full simmer. Remove from heat and allow to cool to slightly warm or room temperature. Continue with recipe as cherries cool.
              2. Preheat oven to 350℉ and prepare a 9"x5"x3"loaf pan by spraying with non stick spray or lightly greasing with butter and lining with parchment that overhangs the long edges.
              3. In a small bowl whisk together flour, baking powder and salt until combined.
              4. Beat together butter, cream cheese and sugar until smooth, scraping the bowl once or twice. Add eggs one at a time, scraping bowl and beating after each until incorporated. Add vanilla and mix to combine. Pour in half the milk and half the flour and beat until just combined. Repeat with remaining milk and flour. Scrape the bowl and add chocolate chips and mix to combine.
              5. Pour half the batter into prepared pan and spread smooth. Top with half the cherry sauce, remaining batter and cherry sauce again on the top. Using a table knife, swirl batter in a figure eight pattern two or three times to create nice swirls of cherry sauce. No need to over swirl.
              6. Bake in preheated oven for 55-65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely in pan prior to lifting out and slicing.