Summer has finally come to the Northwest, meaning it’s high time to get out the picnic baskets and hit the beach, park or wherever else we can lay our checkered blankets.  If you’re taking advantage of the sunny weather, here are some tips and recipes we’ve found to make your picnics all the more enjoyable:

First off, when selecting condiments, make sure to avoid egg- or dairy-based sauces, which can spoil in the heat. Choose oil- or vinegar-based ones, like our Curried Cherry Chutney, instead. Not only do they pack more flavor than spreads like mayo, they’re usually healthier and keep much better.

Like with your condiments, choose your sides wisely. Potato or egg salad, usually made with mayo, can go bad and aren’t the healthiest choice. On the other hand, you can make your own light and healthy (not to mention tasty) salads using oil-based recipes like our Cherry Chicken Pasta Salad or Beet, Carrot and Cherry salad.

For dessert, the simpler the better: Take advantage of fresh summer fruit, like cherries, apricots, nectarines and peaches, for a healthy palate cleanser. Or bring along treats like our Knapsack Cookies, which are easy to pack and enjoy, but won’t melt in the warm sun.

After the baskets are opened and the eggs successfully hunted, few Easter activities are as satisfying as sitting down to a warm, scrumptious brunch.

 Tart Cherry-Orange Muffins

Tart Cherry-Orange Muffins offer a burst of tang and a hint of citrus in a moist, flavorful reminder of why muffins are a favorite breakfast treat.

Classic Northwest Scones

Scones are a brunch staple here in the Northwest, which is why we’ve has created our own Cream Scone Mix. Try adding flavor to this Easy Scone Recipe with our recipes for Lemony Berry Scones, Sweet-Cherry Scones, or Orange-Cherry Scones below!  

Cherry Ham and Cheese “Croissants”

For a quick and easy savory treat, try Cherry-Ham-and-Cheese “croissants”. Spread pre-made crescent-roll dough with cream or boursoin cheese, add a spoonful of Red Sour Cherry Preserve or Cherry Chutney and roll with thinly-sliced ham or turkey. Then bake as per the package instructions.

To add even more natural flavor to your Easter brunch, try

•  Sprinkling our Berry & Nut Mixes on Spring Salad
•  Enjoying the Cherry Preserves and Savory Sauces as condiments for your brunch
• Using the Red Sour Cherry Preserve or Cherry Chipotle BBQ Sauce to baste your ham! 

Tart Cherry Muffins

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sugar

• Juice of one medium orange

• 1/2 cup butter

• 1 cup sugar

• 3/4 cup sour cream

• 2 cup flour, sifted

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon grated orange rind

• 1/2 cup Chukar® Dried Tart Cherries

• 1/2 cup chopped nuts

Directions:

Mix sugar and orange juice. Set aside for dipping after muffins are cooked. Cream butter and sugar. Add sour cream alternately with the dry ingredients. Fold in orange rind, dried cherries and nuts to make a stiff batter. Use well greased muffin tins that are small so that these are bite-sized. Bake at 375 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes. While still warm, dip them in the sugar-orange juice mixture. Cool on a wire rack. Makes 36 miniature muffins.

Easy and Customizable Scones

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1/3 cup sugar

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, frozen

• 1/2 cup Chukar Dried Cherries or Berries (see “Optional Ingredients”)

• 1/2 cup sour cream

• 1 large egg

• 2 tablespoon large sugar crystals

Optional Ingredients:

For Lemon Berry Scones:

-2 teaspoons lemon zest

-Juice of 1 lemon

-1/2 Cup Chukar Dried Blueberries or Cranberries

For Cinnamon-Sweet Cherry Scones

-1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

-1/4 cup chopped walnuts

-1/2 cup coarsely chopped Chukar Dried Rainier Cherries

For Orange-Cherry Scones:

-2 teaspoons orange zest

-1/2 cup Chukar Dried Tart or Totally Tart cherries

Directions:

Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees F. Combine dry ingredients and zest (optional) in a medium bowl. Using the large-sized holes on your grater, grate in frozen butter. Work in with fingers until mixture resembles a coarse meal. Mix in dried fruits and nuts (optional). In a separate bowl, combine egg and sour cream. Slowly add egg mixture to flour mixture, stirring with a fork until large clumps form. Using your hands, form dough into a ball (note: dough will be very sticky), and transfer onto a well-floured surface. Form dough into a 7- to 8-inch round circle, about ¾ of an inch thick. Cut into 8 triangular wedges with a sharp knife and sprinkle with sugar crystals. Place wedges about an inch apart on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 15-17 minutes, or until golden brown. Let cool on wire rack for about 5 minutes before serving.

Note: For even easier preparation, use a food processor: Using the cutting blade, quickly mix dry ingredients (including zest, if appropriate). Cut frozen butter into chunks, add to dried mix. Pulse until combined but still chunky. Add wet ingredients, fruits and nuts (if appropriate) and blend until a large ball forms. Transfer to well-floured surface and proceed with recipe as written above.

Nothing ends a romantic meal quite like a slice of decadent chocolate torte. We use espresso (or strong black coffee) to make this torte even richer and fold in naturally-dried Tart Cherries for a bit of tanginess. Top with Red Sour Cherry Preserve or, for the die-hard chocoholic, our Dark Chocolate Cherry Dessert Sauce and finish with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream and a glass of Port wine.

Chocolate Cherry Torte

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup cocoa
• 6 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup espresso or strong coffee, brewed
• 8 ounces Chukar® Tart Dried Cherries
• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:

Cover dried cherries with hot water in bowl and let stand 10 minutes or until softened. Drain well. Melt butter in espresso, add cocoa and stir until smooth. Mix flour, baking soda, salt and sugar. Transfer cocoa mix to large bowl. Add flour mixture, alternating with the buttermilk. Mix gently, but well. Add eggs and vanilla and mix until smooth. Fold in dried cherries. Pour into two 2 x 9 inch greased and floured pans. Bake in a preheated 375 degree oven for 25-30 minutes. Serve with whipped cream and crown with Red Sour Cherry Preserve & Topping or  Dark Chocolate Cherry Dessert Sauce.

There are few things more wonderful than opening Christmas presents (or watching the kids open theirs) while enjoying a warm, delicious breakfast. Of course, avoiding a mess is nice, too. That’s why we love this fast and simple recipe for delicious Buttermilk and Cherry Scones. They’re especially tasty with Chukar’s Red Sour Cherry or Raspberry Cherry Preserves!

Buttermilk and Dried Cherry Scones

Ingredients:

Directions:Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, dried cherries, and lemon zest. Cut in butter until it is in pea-sized pieces. Quickly stir in the buttermilk and turn onto floured board. Knead dough until it just comes together, about 3 to 5 minutes. Divide dough into 3 balls and flatten to 1-inch thick. Beat egg and 1 tablespoon water and brush over dough. Score into quarters with a knife. Place the rounds on a baking sheet and bake until golden brown, about 10 to 15 minutes. Yields 12 scones.