The Uses for Red Currants

Jelly

• Jelly is a quick and beautiful preparation for using red currants. Don't worry so much about getting all the little stems out since you will be straining it. Follow your favorite recipe, adding sugar and pectin. The bright red jelly will be beautiful, especially if you have a nice glass jar to pour it into.

Dried

• Dried currants are excellent in cereal and muffins. However, they are fairly common and it would seem a waste to take such a beautiful fruit, almost jewel-like, and let it shrivel. However, if you are facing an unusually large harvest, dry them in a conventional food dehydrator for the time recommended by the manufacturer.

Puree for Meat Dishes

• Puree a batch of fresh currants to use as a sauce for a special cut of meat. Once it is cooked down a little, the tartness of the currants along with some added sweetness cuts the gaminess and fat. Of course, the beautiful redness makes quite a display on the plate and will surprise your friends and family.

Red Currant Tart

• Red currant tart is a traditional dessert from Europe where red currants are commonly grown. A sweet cookie pastry dough is baked dry. You layer the currants with an egg white and sugar mixture and then bake it again in the pie crust. The result is a beautiful dessert that tastes even better than it looks.

Creme de Cassis

• Currants are a perfect combination with vodka. Pour the lightly crushed berries into a glass jar along with the same amount of sugar, and add vodka according to your favorite recipe. Over a few months, the vodka macerates the berries, turning ruby red. Although the traditional recipe calls for black currants, red currants are equally delicious. When it's ready, you strain the liquid into a pretty glass bottle. The resulting syrupy crème de cassis is perfect over ice, mixed with other liquors, or poured over ice cream for a fancy dessert.