Cherry Season Sneak Peek: How We Use Pacific Northwest Cherries in Southern Glazes

We understand that by the end of February, everyone in the Pacific Northwest is itching for a little bit of sunshine. We’ve spent the last few months enjoying the cozy, slow-cooked comforts of winter: think Southern-inspired duck confit: but our hearts are starting to skip a beat for the colors of spring.

At Anita & Joe's, we spend our "off-season" doing more than just resting. We’re busy in the kitchen, testing recipes and dreaming up new ways to bring the best of the Northwest to your table with a Southern soul. Right now, we’re particularly obsessed with one thing: cherries.

Living here, we are so lucky to have access to the world’s best cherries. But instead of just putting them in a pie (though we love a good cherry pie debate), we love to use them to create deep, complex, and savory glazes that represent the perfect marriage of our two favorite regions.

Why We Wait All Year for PNW Cherries

We know that waiting for the first harvest can feel like a lifetime. There’s something special about the cherries grown right here in Washington and Oregon. Whether it’s the deep, wine-red Bing cherries or the incredibly sweet, yellow-blushed Rainiers, the flavor profile is unmatched.

When we think about our seasonally inspired sourcing, cherries are always at the top of the list for our late spring and summer menus. They have a natural acidity and a thick sweetness that stands up beautifully to the bold, smoky flavors of Southern barbecue and slow-roasted meats.

The Secret to a Southern-Inspired Cherry Glaze

We’re often asked what makes a "Southern" glaze different from a standard fruit sauce. To us, it’s all about the balance of the "S’s": Sweet, Smoky, Salty, and Spicy. We don't want a sauce that just tastes like jam; we want a glaze that tells a story.

When we’re developing a cherry glaze for a private dinner or a catered event, we start with the fruit as the star. But then, we bring in the Southern heritage. Here’s a little sneak peek into how we build those flavors:

• The Sweet: We use the natural sugars from the PNW cherries, but we often round it out with a touch of molasses or dark brown sugar to give it that "low country" depth.

• The Acid: To keep it from being cloying, we add apple cider vinegar or even a splash of bourbon. The acidity cuts through the fat of the meat, making every bite feel fresh.

• The Smoke: This is where the Southern heart beats. We might use smoked paprika, liquid smoke, or even incorporate juices from meats that have been slow-smoking for hours.

• The Kick: A little pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes ensures the glaze has a finish that wakes up your taste buds!

From the Orchard to the Grill: Our Favorite Pairings

We love to experiment with how these glazes interact with different proteins. As we look toward the warmer months, we’re already refining the dishes we can't wait to serve at your upcoming gatherings.

Cherry-Bourbon Glazed Ribs

Imagine a rack of ribs, slow-cooked until the meat is falling off the bone, finished with a thick, glossy glaze made from muddled Bing cherries and Kentucky bourbon. The cherries provide a fruity brightness that balances the heavy smoke of the pork. It’s a crowd-pleaser that never fails to get people talking.

Roasted Duck with Rainier Cherry Reduction

For a more elegant, intimate dinner party, we love to use the delicate sweetness of Rainier cherries. Because these cherries are more floral, they pair beautifully with duck. We reduce the cherry juice with fresh thyme and a hint of garlic to create a sophisticated sauce that feels light enough for a spring evening.

Savory Cherry Glazed Carrots

Vegetables deserve the glaze treatment, too! We take garden-fresh carrots and roast them in a light cherry balsamic glaze. It brings out the natural sweetness of the carrots while adding a beautiful, vibrant color to the plate.

We Meet You Where You Are: Planning for Your Events

We understand that planning an event can feel overwhelming. Whether it's a graduation party, a summer wedding, or an intimate birthday dinner, there’s a lot of guesswork involved. You might worry about finding a menu that pleases everyone or stress over the logistics of a private chef service.

We want to take that stress off your plate. We are happy to work with you to customize these seasonal flavors to fit your specific vision. We love to guide our clients through the menu-building process, explaining the "why" behind our pairings so you feel confident and excited about the food you’re serving.

Our goal is to be more than just a catering service; we want to be your partner in creating memories. We believe that when you understand where your food comes from: like the specific orchards in the PNW where we get our cherries: the dining experience becomes much more meaningful.

A Passion for the Process

Everything we do comes back to our passion for the craft. During the winter, we spent our time perfecting our craft and exploring new ways to celebrate the Black legacy of Southern cooking through modern, local ingredients.

When cherry season finally arrives, it’s like an explosion of creativity in our kitchen. We’re not just making sauce; we’re capturing the essence of a season. We take the time to pit the cherries by hand, to let the sauces simmer until they reach the perfect consistency, and to taste-test every batch to ensure the balance is just right.

Let's Start Dreaming Together

As the days get longer and the first blossoms start to appear, it’s the perfect time to start thinking about your spring and summer celebrations. Don't let the planning stress keep you from hosting the event of your dreams!

We are here to help you navigate everything from guest counts to flavor profiles. Whether you’re looking for a casual backyard bash with cherry-glazed wings or a high-end intimate dinner party, we have the passion and the expertise to make it happen.

We love to bring people together over good food, and we can’t wait to show you what we’ve been working on. The combination of Pacific Northwest bounty and Southern tradition is something truly special, and we want you to be a part of it.

Reach Out and Let's Chat!

Are you ready to bring the taste of the upcoming cherry season to your table? We’d love to hear from you! Visit our booking page to see how we can collaborate on your next culinary experience. Let’s make this spring and summer the most delicious ones yet!

We can’t wait to work with you and create something unforgettable together! Elevate your next gathering with the soul of the South and the fruit of the Northwest. Let's get cooking!