Recipe of the Month: Yogurt Cherry Parfait

The peak season for cherries usually runs from late June through early August. July is often considered the height of cherry season, particularly for sweet varieties like Bing and Rainier cherries. Although it might be most convenient to get your cherries from the supermarket, you might also consider making the trip to Herrle’s Country Farm Market (towards St. Agatha, just outside Waterloo) or the St. Jacobs Farmer’s Market, both of which will have plenty of options for cherries and other fruits at reasonable prices. In season, cherries cost approximately $5/kg (that is a lot of cherries!)

Start your day with this delicious cherry yogurt parfait. Although technically you could simply add cherries to your yogurt, the recipe below creates a delicious cherry syrup that has both depth and dimension! Also check-out our Cherry BBQ sauce -- perfect for summer grilling.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups fresh or frozen pitted cherries
• 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 2 cups Greek yogurt (plain or vanilla)
• 1/2 cup granola
• Fresh mint leaves for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Cherries:
   • If using fresh cherries, pit them first. If using frozen cherries, let them thaw.
2. Cook the Cherries:
   • In a small saucepan, combine the cherries, honey (or maple syrup), and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the cherries are soft and release their juices (about 10 minutes).
3. Cool the Cherries:
   • Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the cherry mixture cool to room temperature.
4. Assemble the Parfaits:
   • In serving glasses or bowls, layer the ingredients starting with a spoonful of yogurt at the bottom, followed by a layer of the cherry mixture, and then a layer of granola. Repeat the layers as desired, ending with a cherry mixture on top.
5. Garnish and Serve:
   • Garnish with fresh mint leaves if desired. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 hours before serving.

Enjoy your delicious cherry barbecue sauce and yogurt parfait with cherries!