Cherries Poached in Red Wine with Mascarpone

Serving Size: Serves 4

Ingredients

2 1/4 cups red wine

1 cup sugar

1 1-by-3 inch strip orange zest

2 lbs sweet cherries, halved and pitted

1 cup Mascarpone cheese

2 1/2 Tablespoons honey

Adapted From: foodandwine.com

Description
Thick mascarpone cheese mixed with honey makes a luscious topping for poached cherries. You can serve the dessert either warm or cold.

Preparation
In a medium stainless-steel saucepan, combine the wine, sugar, and orange zest. Bring to a simmer over moderately high heat. Add the cherries and bring back to a simmer. Reduce the heat and simmer, partially covered, until the cherries are just tender, about 5 minutes. Pour into a glass or stainless-steel bowl so the cherries don’t overcook. In a small bowl, combine the mascarpone with the honey. Remove the strip of orange zest from the cherries. Serve the warm cherries and syrup in bowls or stemmed glasses, topped with a large dollop of the mascarpone cream. 

**The warm cherries and poaching liquid are great alone without the mascarpone cream or with whipped cream.

Serve the mascarpone cream with cut-up fresh fruit or mixed berries instead of with the poached cherries.