It’s easy to get creative in the kitchen at the lake
with so many fresh ingredients a short bike ride away!
♥
Cherries rarely make it past the kitchen counter
where they’re scooped up by the handful when anyone walks by…
I tend to linger at the counter… hoovering, hovering over the cherries, my gluttonous mouth gorging, as I reassure myself that they are incredibly healthy because they taste so sweet and fresh.
Then memories and new recipe ideas burst their way through my cherry-induced coma and into my imagination.
A few summers ago my lakeside friend, Shaunna, divulged a recipe for a Cherry Relish…
{ and, of course, I had left it at home! }
So straight from a mouthful of ambrosia, a pinch of a memory and a splash of something different, here is a fresh new “just a smidgen” take on that
Sweet Cherry Relish on Goat Cheese Crostini
Best of all, it’s easy to make.. as all good “Lake Recipes” should be!
{ If cherries are no longer in season, poor you.. you’ll just have to tuck this one aside for next summer! }
Here is the finished…
Sweet Cherry Relish
{ heaped atop a toasted and creamy goat cheese spread costini }
It could even pass as lunch or a light supper, n’est-ce pas?
♥
- 2 cups cherries, pitted and quartered
- 1 scallion (green onion) chopped finely
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1/4 jalapeño pepper, minced
- 1/8 cup mint, chopped
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- pinch salt
- 1 tbsp balsamic glaze
- Mix all ingredients together and allow flavors to blend for 30 minutes.
- Serve with goat cheese and toasted crostini.
Looks absolutely delish!
Thanks:D
Oh lucky lucky for us, cherries still abound! This is going to the table for a lazy (sadly, lake-less) weekend! Really luscious looking, Smidge and I love how you’ve paired it with the creamy cheese and the crusty bread! my friend, you really know how to eat! 🙂 (and I mean that as high compliment!!) xox
Oh.. but they will be on the table in your pretty new kitchen, just as wonderful I say! 😀 xx Smidge
cherries AND goat cheese? you had me at hello… yum!
They are addicting, just sayin’…
Creativity indeed at its peak my friend, what a lovely crostini! 🙂
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Thanks CCU… I’m off to visit you soon!! xx
YUUUUUMMM! Its breakfast time here but I would totally devour that right now. Beaut photos!
This would probably be good at breakfast, maybe on a little toast:D
This is so good … and I’m drooling now over those pictures – who … cherry relish sound so good. Love cheese and sweet … this goes on file – think there will be a problem with fresh cherry now. All gone.
Truly, we are so far behind the rest of you for the appearance of fruit at our markets. In the spring I’m envious of your fruit and veggies!
To be honest we don’t have much .. neither during the winter or spring. Late may and june the asparagus are in season and that is the first sign. *smile Going to do your sweet cherry relish .. maybe I will find some fresh still, but not so sweet as our own in summer.
I have never tasted or known this one… But fascinated me, you are amazing dear Barbara, Thank you, love, nia
xx nia!
Oh yum. The colours are amazing. I’ve never had cherries made this way before. I think these would go so well with goat’s cheese. Beautiful images Smidge xx
They are a yummy combination for sure. Thanks Charlie!
Cherry relish?!?!? I am so in!!! That looks so good Smidge. I adore cherries, and we’re planning a trip to cherry-filled Door County, Wisc soon so I’ll stock up for lots of cherry relish! YAY!
I can’t wait to see photos of your buckets filled with cherries.. you will post them now, won’t you?? Please *begging* , I miss your posts!! xx
Haha! They do make such pretty pictures….hmmmmmm 😉 xx
Looks absolutely delicious! What a gorgeous contrast in color too with the goat cheese. I’ve never had anything like it but I bet the cherries are amazing with the jalapeno and mint!
It was definitely yummy, almost like jam now that I think about it:D
This sounds amazing!
http://www.glitzgirlzglamourguide.com
Thanks for visiting my site, I’ll be off to see yours!
Great! 🙂
What a wonderful idea for cherries – taking this on board! How beautiful!
I hope you love it!
All of fav things in one recipe! Love it!
😀
What a tasty, sweet twist to relish!
xx Thank you!
No cherries here until next May — I can’t believe you have them so late. I’m saving this post though, because the flavors look fabulous (mint! brown sugar!)
I think everything here is late.. we’re so far north of your warm country! What’s in season there right now?
Fresh figs have come in again. We still have peaches, but not for much longer. We have grapes, apples, peppers. Eggplants are beginning. There are lots and lots of melons, including four on my kitchen counter (Sigh).
Wow.. you’re so fortunate! I can’t wait to see what you do with your melons:D
And just as I was wondering what to do with those cherries in the fridge! Yes, I could eat them straight up. That’s one of the dividends of summer. But scallion and jalapeno? That’s the hook right there!
But only 1/4 of a J-Peno? Girl, you gotta get yer heat on. Use the whole thang! 😉
Hahaha.. You’re right, next time, I’m throwing the whole thing in!!
Finally made this yesterday. Really nice! But I forgot to get mint at the store. 🙁
No matter cilantro was a terrific substitute. And yes, I used the WHOLE Jalapeno! 😉
Yay!! A whole jalapeno would be awesome:) I think the cilantro would have worked great as well.. glad you liked it! xx
yeah, you made me look like a real hero. Thanks for the great recipe!
This looks really good, Barb, and love that it can easily be prepared, oerfect for when you’re on vacation. You’re not supposed to fix complicated dishes on vacation. You’re supposed eat out or eat simple. It’s a vacation, after all, and not just a kitchen swap. Ya know, cherries are still in our groceries; I saw some this very morning. I’ve still time to make your relish. Now, if I could only find a cabin on a lake …
Well.. I think it would fit nicely in the shade of your rose garden.. with the scent of flowers blooming all around you? 😀
Oh Barb! I’m almost giggling this sounds so good. I don’t think we have any cherries left, but if I can find them anywhere he we go! If not, it goes in the save file! I love the jalapeno addition! Debra
It was a yummy one.. definitely a keeper from the reaction of people who sampled:D
Your title alone had me drooling. I actually commented out loud at your title. Mike inquired what got my attention and it then got his too. This is fabulous!
I’m glad you both liked it, Kristy:D
I am definitely making this! Yummy and beautiful!
Thanks Susie xx
Stunning I can’t wait to get some cherries! You have the perfect combo here!
🙂
Tasty stuff and yes (I’m definitely Oneida those folks) who’s craving summer fruits and delicious light food and summer. Beautiful 🙂
I love eating this sort of thing as a meal in the summer:D So easy…
Looks amazing as always. Kind of a random question but what kind of lens do you normally use to shoot food photos? Your pics are always stunning.
I have a newer camera and an older lens. I use AP with an automatic aperture setting so I don’t have to do too much to. If I zoom in it puts the background out of focus. The lens says (trying to know what numbers to give you, I’m not an expert) EFS 17-85 mm Macro 0.35m/1.2 ft. Not sure that helps? I always use natural sunlight, there’s no room in my kitchen for a professional “setup” with lights, bouncing, etc. I have just recently begun shooting in Raw.. but I think my computer converts it to jpeg in Iphoto? But I’m still convinced I’m getting more vibrant photos shooting in raw first. I hope that helps. I’m behind in blog reading (again!) and will come say hi soon!!
Oh boy. My tummy is a rumbling! Gorgeous recipe, gorgeous photos – terribly enticing…
That says so much coming from you Movita!! School must be starting soon?? Lucky you!!
Never enough cherries! I love that relish. I can imagine the taste so well. I’m gonna let you know!
You’re right.. there can never be enough!!
Nice!
xx
I don’t think this recipe could get any better–cherry relish on goat cheese?! Be still my heart. I too love fresh cherries and I can eat bowl full after bowl full as I reassure myself of the same thing–it’s good for me! One of the things I love about summer is the simplicity of ingredients that are so satisfying. 🙂
It is a fine line between an appetizer and dessert;)
What a lovely combination of flavours, I’ll have to put this on the list for the cottage on the Labour Day weekend. Perfect for a little bite!
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
Oh la la – what a fantastic and scrumity cherry delight!
🙂 Mandy xo
I love you “scrumity” word!! xx
Thank you for a cherry recipe! I’m going to go to the store + get a cherry pitter, so I can try this.
I took a woman’s advice and picked up a cheap one at the dollar store, it works a charm!
really? thanks for the tip.
Absolutely perfect! I pinned it! c
I always forget to pin.. I’m going to start doing more of that, especially your photos.. they’re so beautiful!!
That sounds AMAZING! Perfect accompaniment with goats cheese on crostini.
Very creative!
Looks beautiful! I’m all for easy recipes at the moment, it’s soooo hot here! I topped my goats cheese with figs & honey!
I’d definitely be up for figs and honey, yum!
Sweet Cherry Relish! You are talking my language Smidge!! Love this and with the goats cheese on crostini, divine! Pinning this one and will post on my FB Page. 🙂
Love fruit, cheese and bread together – YUM:) Happy Day!
That opening shot is just stunning, as is the idea to make sweet cherry relish. If I can find anymore cherries on sale before the season is gone, I am trying this for sure.
Great idea — never thought of combining these ingredients but it all sounds wonderful!
I love cherries and cannot wait for the season after seeing this recipe 🙂
I don’t know how you do it, but each photo, dish and post is an absolute stunner!
This is my favourite type of recipe – easy to make. I like the idea of combining goat’s cheese and the cherry relish, it sounds delicious.
Delightful, sweet and sour combinations Smidge!
That sounds and looks wonderful. I must add a cherry pitter to the list of gadgets. I wonder about applying this treatment to other stone fruits?
It works for small fruit like cherries, it has a bowl the size of a typical cherry with a hole in it for the pit to fall through and the top is like a paper punch that pokes the pit through. I try to buy freestone peaches when I have to pit a bunch, makes it so much easier.
This sounds so good. I have to add the cherry pitter to my list of gadgets. I wonder how this would apply to other stone fruits?
Totally new for me too. Love it. We processed 20# of cherries this summer. A lot of eating fresh and a lot of pitting to put in the freezer 🙂
Gorgeous AND delicious!!! Love. It.
Oh, I can just taste this recipe as I’m reading this! I love the combination of sweet cherries, lime, balsamic and goat cheese. A box of cherries were just sent to me and now I have something new to try out. Unique & easy. My kind of recipe. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Delicious and adorable appeTEASER as always!! I love this idea. I eat vegan, but would take a “vegan with benefits” day for this bad boy..YUM!
It is 10:20pm and now my tummy is rumbling inconsolably 😉
sounds and look gorgeous. and so original to have cherries relish on crostini! and goat cheese is just perfect with sweet and sour.
I wish I had this recipe when I was near Traverse City, Michigan. Awesome recipe deserves some awesome cherries.
Next time:D
I love the mix of ingredients, I would have never thought of coming up with a mix like that. Thanks for sharing 😀
These look just gorgeous Barbara! I am sorry it took me too long to finally get over here 🙂 I could really get comfy visiting your site, it is gorgeous! Lovely work, thank you!
The cherries have been so sweet this year and I like your simple relish…delicious I’m sure.
Ahhh, sweet and spicy, just like you! 😉
Hands down, the best and most mouthwatering cherry shots I have ever seen…SOOO GOOD!
That looks fab, I will have to remember to revisit next summer.
[…] week I wanted to do Barbara’s “Sweet Cherry Relish” – and when I came to the supermarket they wanted 179.00SEK/$25.55/€21.10/£16.65 per kilo […]
I fear I would have no “off switch” with this beauty …. Absolutely delicious looking!
Hmm.. I don’t think I came with an “off switch”? Were we supposed to be made with one, lol!
This is so simple yet looks so decadent. Will have to wait for next year’s cherry season to make, a looooong wait.