PARTY PASTA SALAD
This colorful salad will brighten up any backyard bash…

• 8 ounces bow-tie pasta
• 3/4 cup Cherry De-Lite dried cherries
• 1/2 cup chopped carrots
• 1/2 cup chopped cucumber
• 1/4 cup chopped green onions
• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• 3 Tbsp. vegetable oil
• 2 Tbsp. lemon juice
• 2 Tbsp. Dijon-style mustard
• 1 tsp. dried basil
• 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp. dried thyme
• Freshly ground pepper, to taste

Cook pasta according to package directions.  Drain well.  In a large bowl, combine pasta, Cherry De-Lite dried cherries, carrots, cucumber and green onions; mix gently. Combine vinegar, oil, lemon juice, mustard, basil, oregano, thyme and pepper in a small bowl; mix well.  Pour over pasta mixture; mix gently.  Refrigerate, covered, at least 2 hours, or overnight.  Mix gently before serving. Makes 8 servings

CHERRY CHICKEN SALAD SANDWICH
A delicious, yet simple sandwich to prepare ahead and please the crowd!

• 2 cups cubed cooked chicken
• 1/2 cup Cherry De-Lite dried cherries
• 3 green onions, sliced
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt
• 1 Tbsp. lemon juice
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Lettuce leaves
• Croissants

Combine chicken, Cherry De-Lite dried cherries and onions in a large bowl; mix well. In another bowl, combine mayonnaise, yogurt, lemon juice and pepper; pour over chicken mixture.  Mix gently.  Refrigerate, covered, 1 to 2 hours.  Spoon chicken salad on sliced croissants; top with lettuce.  Makes 2-4 servings depending on size of croissants.

CRITTER MUNCH
De-Lite the children at your next picnic with this fun snack…

• 1-1/2 cups animal cracker cookies
• 1-1/2 cups cheddar or original flavor goldfish crackers
• 1 cup Cherry De-Lite dried cherries
• 1 cup M&M plain candy
• 1 cup honey roasted peanuts

Put animal crackers, goldfish crackers, Cherry De-Lite dried cherries, M&M’s and peanuts in a large mixing bowl.  Carefully stir with a spoon. Store in a tightly covered container at room temperature. Makes 6 cups.

FIRE-ROASTED CORN & CHERRY SALSA                       

Serve over grilled chicken, pork or fish.    

• 1 cup CHERRY DE-LITE dried cherries
• 1/2 cup water
• 3 ears of corn shucked
• 1/2 cup chopped red onion
• 1 Tbsp. finely chopped garlic
• 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
• 2 to 3 whole chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup lemon or lime juice
• Salt, to taste

Heat cherries and water in a small saucepan.  Simmer about 5 minutes, or until  CHERRY DE-LITE dried cherries have plumped and water is slightly syrupy. Set aside to cool.  Meanwhile, roast each ear of corn directly over gas flame on a stovetop or over gas grill (just as you would for a roasted pepper).  Turn until each ear is slightly charred all around.  Set aside to cool.  Cut corn kernels from cobs. Combine, corn,CHERRY DE-LITE dried cherries with liquid, onion, garlic, cilantro, chilies and lemon juice.  Season with salt to taste. Makes 3 cups or 6 (1/2-cup) servings.  This is a medium-hot salsa. Use fewer or more chipotle chilies to make salsa milder or hotter.       

FIRECRACKER SALSA                                                                                                      

Serve over grilled tuna or swordfish.   Also an excellent hamburger topping.   

• 1/2 cup CHERRY DE-LITE dried cherries
• 1/2 cup CHERRY DE-LITE cherry preserves
• 2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
• 1/2 cup chopped red onion
• 1/2 cup chopped yellow bell pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped jalapeno peppers (approx. 2 medium)
• 1 to 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 tsp. lemon or lime juice

Combine CHERRY DE-LITE dried cherries, preserves and vinegar in small microwavable bowl; mix well.  Microwave on High 1 to 1 1/2 minutes, or until hot.  Let stand 5 minutes.  Stir in red onion, yellow bell pepper, jalapeno peppers, cilantro and lime juice.  Refrigerate, covered 3 to 4 hours or overnight.   Makes 1-1 1/2 cups.  Enough for 6-8 servings with a main course. 

Click here for some of our favorite Cherry De-Lite recipes or submit your own recipe by clicking on the Cherry De-Lite Featured Customer Recipe in the right-hand column.