Cherry Orange Poppy Seed Muffins

These tasty muffins complement any meal.

2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, melted
1 egg, slightly beaten
1/2 cup dried tart cherries
3 tablespoons grated orange peel

Combine flour, sugar, poppy seeds, baking powder and salt in a large mixing bowl. Add milk, melted butter and egg, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened. Gently stir in cherries and orange peel. Fill paper-lined muffin cups 3/4 full.

Bake in a preheated 400-degree oven 18 to 22 minutes, or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool in pan 5 minutes. Remove from pan and serve warm or let cool completely. makes 12 muffins

TIP - Tuck packages of dried tart cherries into lunch boxes. They make a great low-fat snack for kids and adults.

Firecracker Salsa

This spicy mixture wows traditional salsa lovers.

1/2 cup dried tart cherries
1/2 cup cherry preserves
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1/2 cup chopped red onion
1/2 chopped yellow bell pepper
1/4 chopped jalapeno pepper
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1 teaspoon lime or lemon juice

Combine dried cherries, cherry preserves and vinegar in a small microwave-safe bowl; mix well. Microwave on High (100% power) 1 to 1-1/2 minutes, or until hot. Let stand 5 minutes.

Stir in red onion, yellow bell pepper, jalapeno peppers, cilantro and lime juice. Refrigerate, covered, 3 to 4 hours or overnight. Serve with grilled swordfish or tuna. Its also excellent as a topping for hamburgers. |makes about 1-1/2 cups; enough for 6 to 8 servings with a main course|

TIP - Add 1 cup of dried cherries to traditional cherry pie ã it increases the cherry flavor. Or add about 1/2 cup dried tart cherries to your favorite apple or peach pie recipe. The cherries complement the other fruit in the pie while adding flavor and color.

Brie Torte

This tasty appetizer is easy to transport to parties and makes a great hostess gift.

1 (15- to 16-ounce) wheel Brie cheese
1/3 cup butter, softened
1/3 cup chopped dried tart cherries
1/4 cup finely chopped pecans
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme (or 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh thyme)
Crackers

Refrigerate Brie until chilled and firm; or freeze 30 minutes, or until firm. Cut Brie in half horizontally.

Combine butter, cherries, pecans and thyme in a small bowl; mix well. Evenly spread mixture on cut-side of one piece of the Brie. Top with the other piece, cut-side down. Lightly press together. Wrap in plastic wrap; refrigerate 1 to 2 hours. To serve, cut into serving size wedges and bring to room temperature. Serve with crackers. makes about 20 appetizer servings

Note: If wrapped securely in plastic wrap, this appetizer will keep in the refrigerator for at least a week.

TIP - Melt semisweet chocolate or white chocolate chips over low heat. Stir in dried cherries. Add toasted almonds, if desired. Mix until coated with chocolate. Spoon into waxed paper for a candy treat that kids and adults will love.

Acorn Squash Bake

Dried cherries bring out the flavor of this easy-to-prepare side dish.

2 acorn squash
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
1/2 cup dried tart cherries
1/4 cup chopped pecans
3 tablespoons firmly packed light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Cut each acorn squash in half. Remove seeds and fiber. Place cut side down in baking pan with small amount of water in bottom. Bake in a 350-degree oven 45 to 50 minutes or until squash is tender and can be pierced with a fork. (Or place squash cut side down in a microwave-safe container. Add a little water. Microwave on High (100% power) 5 to 7 minutes, turning dish once. Continue cooking, if necessary, until squash is tender.)

Meanwhile, combine butter, cherries, pecans, brown sugar and cinnamon. Heat on top of stove or in microwave oven until butter melts. Fill center of each squash half with one-quarter of the cherry mixture. Mix some of the cooked squash with the cherry filling. Serve immediately. makes 4 servings

TIP - Give trail mixes new flavor with the addition of dried tart cherries. A combination of cherries, banana chips, chocolate chips and peanuts is particularly good.

Oatmeal Cherry Cookies

This favorite cookie recipe gets a new taste with dried cherries.

1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
2 cups rolled oats
1-1/2 cups dried tart cherries
1 cup chocolate chips

Put margarine, brown sugar and granulated sugar in a large mixing bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed 3 to 4 minutes, or until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well. Combine flour, baking powder and salt, if desired; add to egg mixture. Stir in oats, cherries and chocolate chips; mix well.

Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto a no greased cookie sheet. Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven 10 to 12 minutes, or until golden brown. Let cool 1 minute on cookie sheet; remove to wire rack to cool completely. Store in a tightly covered container. makes about 4 dozen

Carrots With Character

Plain carrots become an elegant side dish with cherries, nutmeg and ginger.

1 pound carrots, peeled and sliced
1/2 cup dried tart cherries
3 tablespoons maple-flavored syrup
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

Cook carrots in water in a covered 2-quart saucepan 8 to 10 minutes, or until tender. Drain well. 

Add dried cherries, maple syrup, butter, nutmeg and ginger to cooked carrots; mix to combine ingredients. 

Cook, stirring occasionally, over medium heat, 3 to 4 minutes, or until sauce is bubbly. makes 6 (1/2 cup) servings.

Spiced Cherry Salad

Dried cherries add tangy flavor to this colorful salad.

1 cup dried tart cherries
1 (11-ounce) can mandarin orange sections, drained
2 kiwi, peeled and sliced
1/4 cup orange juice
1/4 cup sifted confectioners sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted

Put dried cherries, mandarin orange sections and kiwi slices in a salad bowl. Combine orange juice, confectioners sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl; mix well. Pour orange juice mixture over fruit mixture; mix gently. Refrigerate, covered, 1 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally. Sprinkle with toasted almonds just before serving. makes 6 servings