#MondayMeals: Ch-ch-ch-Cherry Bomb!
Hello, yogurt. Hello, pom.
I'm your ch-ch-ch-cherry bomb!
Start this week off with a light, creamy, and healthy summer recipe. Yogurt with Rosemary-Red Fruit Compote can be made with some great local ingredients, and will be the cherry on top of your weekly meal plan. Read on for more information on the benefits of this bomb dish!
Yogurt is highly nutritious and is a great source of protein, B vitamins, and calcium. The nutrients found in yogurt are good for digestive, bone, and heart health. Yogurt also promotes healthy weight management and strengthens the immune system.
Cherries are packed with nutrients that may benefit heart health and reduce inflammation.
Cranberries are high in vitamins and minerals that can prevent harmful bacteria such as E.coli from causing urinary tract infections. Cranberries can also help to improve digestion, reduce bad cholesterol, and boost the immune system
Pomegranates are rich in nutrients that help to lower blood pressure, fight inflammation, and decrease the risk of heart disease. Pomegranates can also help fight bacterial and fungal infections.
Honey is rich in antioxidants and organic acids that can reduce the risk of heart attacks and stroke, lower blood pressure and triglycerides, and improve cholesterol. Honey is a better sweetener than sugar for diabetics and can also promote eye health.
Raspberries contain fiber, vitamins, and minerals that may help to reduce the risk of diabetes and obesity.
Food produced locally is more nutritious. This is because food contains the most nutrients around the time it is harvested. The longer food spends traveling, the less nutrition it contains. Less time traveling also means less exposure to harmful chemicals and less production of greenhouse gasses. What a tasteful way to decrease our carbon footprint!
Find ingredients for Yogurt with Rosemary-Red Fruit Compote and more at Anderson’s Farm Market, The Local Food Market, or through a CSA share at Main Street Farms. Also be sure to stop by the Cortland and Homer Farmers Markets and Shared Roots Farm to see what nutritious and delicious foods are available this season. Check out the healthy and delicious recipe for Yogurt with Rosemary-Red Fruit Compote below.
Yogurt with Rosemary-Red Fruit Compote
Ingredients
Ingredient Checklist
3 cups plain yogurt (see Tip)
¾ cup frozen unsweetened pitted tart red cherries
¾ cup fresh cranberries
⅓ cup pomegranate juice
3 tablespoons honey
1 sprig fresh rosemary
2 teaspoons pomegranate juice
1 ½ teaspoons cornstarch
1 cup frozen or fresh unsweetened red raspberries
Fresh rosemary (optional
Directions
Step 1
Prepare yogurt cheese: Line a yogurt strainer, sieve or a small colander with three layers of 100%-cotton cheesecloth or a clean paper coffee filter. Suspend lined strainer, sieve or colander over a bowl. Spoon in plain yogurt. Cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 24 hours. Remove from refrigerator. Drain and discard liquid. Store yogurt cheese in refrigerator until compote is ready.
Step 2
Prepare compote: In a medium saucepan, combine cherries, cranberries, the 1/3 cup pomegranate juice, the honey and the one sprig rosemary. Bring to boiling, stirring frequently; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, about 5 minutes or until cranberries start to pop.
Step 3
In a small bowl, combine the 2 teaspoons pomegranate juice and the cornstarch. Add to berry mixture. Cook and stir until slightly thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir for 2 minutes more. Remove from heat. Stir in raspberries. Cool for 10 minutes; discard rosemary sprig. Serve warm compote over yogurt cheese. If desired, garnish with additional fresh rosemary
