Fresh Balsamic Cherry Salad is my happy place.
He who likes cherries soon learns to climb. – German proverb.
Yes, one learns to climb when one likes cherries. Why? Because one would want to put this cherry salad into the pretty bowls which are kept up on the top shelf in the cupboard. I spent much of my childhood up in trees and on top of countertops.
I was happy. And short. And happy. There is nothing quite like finding that spot in an old tree that makes the perfect reading place. My choice? Peanuts and Archie comic books and an occasional Laura Ingalls Wilder book woven into the mix – all of which has very little to do with cherries. But I associate cherries with happy childhood memories – like dad keeping a big bag of fresh cherries next to his favorite chair every summer. I remember stealing some and spitting the pits into the yard, hoping for a cherry tree to sprout up.
Fresh Balsamic Cherry Salad
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 orange
- 6 cups fresh cherries
- 4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 4 sprigs fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
A few hours in advance or the night before:
Place water and sugar in a pan. Add the zest of the orange. Cut the orange into slices by peeling and cutting out each segment (this is easier than it looks but worth it). Place orange segments into sugar water. Leave at a low boil stirring every once in a while. After about 5 minutes, remove from heat. Cool and then chill. Chill cherries as well.
On serving day:
Prepare cherries by removing stems, halving, and pitting them. Place in a large bowl.
Pour chilled orange simple syrup and balsamic vinegar over cherries. Add finely chopped parsley and salt to enhance the flavors. Stir well.
Allow salad to sit for about 5 minutes and then drain off excess juices.
Take the pretty bowls down from the top shelf and serve with a sprig of mint. Climb your favorite old tree, bring a comic book and relive your childhood with this very grown-up salad.