“Le Temps des Cerises” is a song written in France in 1866 and is strongly associated with the Paris Commune that ruled Paris in 1871 and during which verses were added to the song making it a revolutionary song; a metaphor regarding what life will be like when a revolution will have changed social and economic conditions… When the commune was suppressed by the French Army during the bloody week “La semaine sanglante” a nurse was fighting and going through the songs lyrics depicts the dedication to that nurse…

Revolutions set aside; Today cherries are in season! And it’s the perfect time to go straight to the kitchen and bake some delicacies using cherries.

Clafoutis is a traditional dessert from Limousin and Auvergne (central France). The origin of the name derives from the Occitan word clafotis which evolved from the verb clafir meaning to fill (the batter with cherries).

Cherries used in the clafoutis must never be pitted as the pit brings a slight almond aftertaste and if pitted the cherries juice will turn the dough soggy!
INGREDIENTS:

100g Wholewheat Flour
60g Sugar or 6g of Canderel Sucralose @canderel_lb
4 eggs
Vanilla
200 ml skimmed milk
40g butter
600g Cherries
2 tbsp chopped mint leaves
1 tsp chopped basil leaves
Zest of 1/2 a lime
15g butter for greasing

METHOD OF PREPARATION:

Preheat the oven (250 degrees C).Mix the flour and sugar in a large mixing bowl.Add the eggs, vanilla and lime zest and the milk gradually.Melt the butter and incoporate it to the mixture with the chopped basil and mint leaves.
Grease a baking dish.Add the washed and stemmed but un-pitted cherries.
Pour the batter over the cherries.
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes.

Cherries are a good source of Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Potassium, Magnesium, Boron, Iron, Folate and Fiber.They are loaded with antioxidants (anthocyanin that gives them their sexy color). The more acidic a Cherry is, the higher its content in antioxidants is.
12 Cherries count as One serving portion of Fruits!

The longest spit of a cherry stone in competition is 28.51 meter at the International Cherry Pit-Spitting Championship at Eau Claire, Michigan!

What’s Yours ?

Bon Appétit!

Dietitian Nicole Maftoum