RECIPE

© Melanie Acevedo

Cherries Poached in Red Wine with Mascarpone Cream

• Recipe by Quick From Scratch Italian

Thick mascarpone cheese mixed with honey makes a luscious topping for poached cherries. You can serve the dessert either warm or cold. We love it both ways.

• Fast

Ingredients

1. 2 1/4 cups red wine
2. 1 cup sugar
3. 1 1-by-3-inch strip orange zest
4. 2 pounds sweet cherries, halved and pitted
5. 1 cup mascarpone cheese
6. 2 1/2 tablespoons honey

Directions

1. In a medium stainless-steel saucepan, combine the wine, sugar, and orange zest. Bring to a simmer over moderately high heat. Add the cherries and bring back to a simmer. Reduce the heat and simmer, partially covered, until the cherries are just tender, about 5 minutes. Pour into a glass or stainless-steel bowl so the cherries don"t overcook.
2. In a small bowl, combine the mascarpone with the honey. Remove the strip of orange zest from the cherries. Serve the warm cherries and syrup in bowls or stemmed glasses, topped with a large dollop of the mascarpone cream.

Notes

Variations

• The warm cherries and poaching liquid are great alone--without the mascarpone cream--or with whipped cream.
• Serve the mascarpone cream with cut up fresh fruit or mixed berries instead of with the poached cherries.