Name: Brandied Cherry and Hazelnut Conserve
Total time: 2 h 45 min
Ingredients: 1½ pounds fresh sweet cherries , pitted and chopped; ½ cup water; 1 tablespoon bottled lemon juice; ¼ teaspoon salt; ½ cup sugar; ⅓ cup hazelnuts , toasted, skinned, and chopped fine; ⅓ cup brandy or cognac

Why This Recipe Works

The combination of jam-like fruit and nuts is commonly referred to as a conserve. Sweet or savory, conserves can be served with everything from a cheese plate to dessert. The winning combination of fresh cherries, toasted hazelnuts, and brandy ensures this conserve pairs well with almost anything, and the simple ingredient list means this recipe comes together quickly. We found that we needed a full pound and a half of cherries, and we chopped them so that they would release their juices and cook quickly, retaining their freshness. When simmered with a little bit of sugar and lemon juice, the cherries needed only 15 to 20 minutes to cook down to a luxurious, yet fresh-tasting, jam consistency. Then we stirred in chopped, toasted hazelnuts for buttery crunch, and a hearty shot of brandy for savory depth. Tasters loved the flavor, but preferred the hazelnuts finely chopped, noting that coarsely chopped chunks were too prominent and distracted from the cherries. By stirring in the brandy at the end, we retained its delicate flavor.

Before You Begin

For safety reasons, be sure to use bottled lemon juice, not fresh-squeezed juice, in this recipe. This conserve can be processed for long-term storage; see the instructions in this article.

Instructions

Bring cherries, water, lemon juice, and salt to boil in medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until cherries are softened, about 5 minutes.

Stir in sugar. Increase heat to medium-high and boil uncovered, stirring often, until mixture is thickened, 10 to 15 minutes. Off heat, stir in hazelnuts and brandy and let cool slightly.

Using funnel and spoon, portion conserve into two 1-cup jars. Let cool to room temperature and serve. (Conserve can be refrigerated for up to 2 months.)