Danish Cherries

Ingredients

• 4 cups pitted cherries
• 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 3-4 tablespoons sugar
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest (the grated outer yellow rind)
• 3/4 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/2 cup slivered almond, blanched, optional (To blanch almonds, place them in a colander over a sink. Pour boiling water over them, and rub off t)

Toppings

• whipped cream
• whipped ricotta cheese (To whip ricotta, beat it vigorously with a whisk, or at high speed with an electric mixer)
• cheese
• plain yogurt, with a few blanched almonds folded in

Directions

1. 1

   Place cherries in a heavy medium-sized saucepan, and cook over medium heat, covered, for 10 minutes.

2. 2

   Meanwhile, combine cornstarch and sugar in a small bowl. Add lemon juice and whisk until smooth. Stir this into the hot cherries, and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until thick, about 5 to 8 minutes.

3. 3

   Remove from heat and stir in lemon zest, almond extract, and slivered almonds.

4. 4

   Serve hot, warm, room, temperature, or cold, top with whipped cream, whipped ricotta, or yogurt. Enjoy!