BRANDIED CHERRIES

 Welcome back to 'LET'S COOK'

Today we are taking a slightly different turn with a special recipe.

Let's belly up to the bar and make BRANDIED CHERRIES

 

As you know, I love Adult Beverages, but I RARELY have hard alcohol. However, once in a while, I enjoy a mixed drink.

 If you are having adult beverages, you need some accessories, like today's recipe. They also go well with Ice Cream, or as a garnish for a number of dishes. I even saw one recipe where they made a PIE with Brandied Cherries. So let's get started.

Here in Florida we can always find a good deal on cherries this time of the year. So once a year, Penny and I heat up the cannery and make a ton of Brandied Cherries. They last us all year and make great gifts for those who do not cook. 

FULL DISCLOSURE:  Working with boiling water can be DANGEROUS...... Be CAREFUL  !!!!! 

If you notice, we are NOT having any adult beverages during this session.....

Here is what you'll need: 

6 lbs Cherries

 2 Bags for $6.00. You will need 4 Bags.

2 Cinnamon Sticks

4 Green Cardamom Pods

3 Whole Cloves

¼ Cup Lemon Juice

1 ¼ Cup of Brandy

1 Cup Water

¾ Cup Sugar

PIT Cherries and set aside

     When pitting cherries we have two methods. One is to use a Cherry Pitter  (Penny's method)

 "push the button, Max"

     But I go out to the man cave and get PLIERS

Wear an OLD shirt !!!!

Open the pliers about 1/4 inch. Insert into the Cherry and close around the pit. Pull out the pit.

Either method works.  And prepare to get your fingers STAINED

Those of you who went to Florida State can wear gloves

Put all the other ingredients into a pot and bring to a boil

Add Cherries , turn heat down to MEDIUM

Cook for 4 to 5 minutes

Add water to canner and bring to a boil.

Now is the time to put the cute doggie in the other room. You will be dealing with BOILING water and you do NOT want the puppy around and in the way.

Add the empty jars to the water and boil for 2 minutes

(They say you don't have to do this, but let's be safe)

Carefully remove and cool for just a few minutes.

Remove the whole spices from the cherries.

Fill the jars (leave a bit of space at the top.)

We use a slotted spoon, and put the cherries into each jar. Then we go back and add some juice. DO NOT OVERFILL. The cherries will make more juice as they cook. 

Take a towel and wipe the top of the jar so it is clean. (otherwise, it may not seal properly)

Add lid and ring. (JUST FINGER TIGHT)

Put in canner and cook for 15 minutes. Add the LID

Lid removed for photo

Remove and let cool (listen for the “POP” as each one seals.)

Look for an indentation on the top of the lid. This means they sealed. If the don't, you can put them back in the boiling water and try again. We had two that did not seal. We took the top off, wiped the lid of the jar clean and used a different lid.

Any cherries that are left over, can be placed in the fridge.

I use these on top of Ice Cream and also in my Cherry Jell-O.

And of course, adult beverages !!! 

You can also just eat them.

So for for less than $1.00 per jar and two hours of fun, we ended up with 18 jars of brandied cherries. 

Way to go Batman.

 

 See you next time.

Be SAFE Be SMART and stay the )*&%^ at home !