Justine's Armenian Sweet And Sour Cherry Sauce


"Although cherries are generally thought of as an ingredient designated for desserts and sweets, this savory recipe was the first thing that I wanted to make when I heard that there would be cherries in this week’s CSA basket. I had remembered a delicious and memorable meal that my family and I ate at an Armenian restaurant in New York City—one of the star dishes being a plate of ground lamb kebabs drenched in a sweet yet tart cherry sauce. This is my recreation of that sauce, which definitely does not require lamb, (though lamb is pictured here). Personally, I would love this on cumin-spiced turkey meatballs or even plain roast chicken. Ground beef kebabs would work too—whatever suits your taste! Enjoy!  Justine"

Ingredients:
  • 2 cups fresh cherries, pitted and halved
  • 3 to 4 leaves fresh mint
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons honey
  • 2 teaspoons brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon molasses, (or more honey or sugar)
  • ½ tsp cumin
  • Dash (probably ¼ to ½ teaspoon) Arabic seasoning (optional)
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • Tiny pinch (probably less than ¼ teaspoon) ground cloves
  • Juice of ½ a lemon
  • Salt to taste (probably at least ½ teaspoon)



Preparation:
  1. In a saucepan (small pot), combine all ingredients
  2. Turn heat to very low, until mixture is very lightly simmering
  3. Leave, covered with lid, to simmer for about 2 hours
  4. Serve with meat, such as those suggested above

Enjoy!

*Note from Justine's family member:  "We had truly one of the best meals of our lives last night with Justine’s creations!  Here are the recipes and the photos!  Happy Fourth of July weekend."


Comments

Laura said…
I imagine this would taste great with roast duck as well.