Before I got my speedy cherry pitter with its spring-loaded plunger, there was a dark side to the juicy glee of cherry season.
The problem was the pitting.
I’d begin the summer with grand plans of cherry pastries, cherry preserves, cherry cakes and cherry lemonade. Then, after the laborious, fingernail-reddening business of pitting a couple of pounds of fruit, I’d end up with one glorious pie — and a whole lot of cherries eaten out of hand when I finally admitted that pitting them between my teeth was just the easiest way to go.
Buying the cherry pitter, which cost less than one cherry pie at a fancy bakery, changed all that. Now, I can pit a pound of cherries in approximately five minutes. If you adore cherries, consider investing in one.
But even if you’re relying on a hairpin or a paper clip for pitting, fresh sweet cherries can still be part of your summer cooking. The key is to choose a recipe that calls for a cup or two of fruit, rather than a quart or two. Then use your cherries where they will have maximum effect.
Pork Chops With Brandied Cherries
(Serves 4)
1 3/4 teaspoons kosher salt, more to taste
1 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
2 bone-in pork chops, 4cm thick, about 450g each
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 garlic clove, smashed and peeled
2 tablespoons brandy
2 cups fresh sweet or sour cherries, pitted and halved
4 sprigs thyme, plus thyme leaves for garnish
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1/2 teaspoon sherry vinegar or honey, or more to taste (use the vinegar with the sweet cherries, the honey with the sour cherries)
Method
Combine salt, garam masala, pepper and allspice in a small bowl.
Rub mixture all over pork chops, covering their entire surface.
Let chops rest for 15 to 30 minutes at room temperature, or up to 24 hours, covered, in the refrigerator.
Heat a 25cm pan at medium-high. Add oil.
Sear pork chops until brown, about 2 to 3 minutes per side. Add garlic to pan, then sear the fatty edges of the chops, using tongs to hold them up, for about 30 seconds to 1 minute each. (Flip the garlic after it browns on one side.) If the pan starts to smoke at any point, lower the heat. Transfer the pork to a plate, and spoon off all but a thin layer of fat from pan. (Leave garlic in the pan.)
Add brandy to pan, let it simmer until the alcohol burns off (about 30 seconds), then add cherries, thyme and 2 tablespoons water. Let simmer for 1 minute.
Move cherries to the sides of the pan and return pork chops to the centre so they can make contact with the metal. Cover pan and cook over low heat for about 7 minutes, until meat reaches 54 to 57 degrees on an instant-read thermometer. (Its temperature will rise as it rests.)
Transfer the pork to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, add butter and vinegar or honey to the pan, stirring until butter melts and coats the cherries. Taste and add more honey or vinegar, and salt as needed. Serve pork with cherries and more thyme on top.
The New York Times