CHERRY SEASON RECIPES

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine crust ingredients. Press onto the bottom and a third of the way up the sides of a 9-in. springform pan; set aside. , For filling, in a small bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add the eggs, sugar and vanilla; beat just until smooth. Pour into prepared crust. Bake at 375° for 20 minutes. Remove from oven; cool 15 minutes. Increase temperature to 450°., Meanwhile, combine sour cream topping ingredients. Spread over filling. Bake for 10 minutes. Cool at room temperature; cover and chill 12 hours. , For cherry topping, drain cherries, reserving juice. Set cherries aside. In a large saucepan, combine the sugar, cornstarch and cherry juice until smooth. Bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from the heat; stir in lemon juice, food coloring and reserved cherries. Cool for 5 minutes. Spread over cheesecake; chill several hours. Just before serving, remove sides of pan.

Steps:

• Heat a large (12-inch) skillet over medium-low and add the butter to melt. Add the shallots and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 to 5 minutes, until tender but not browned. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute, until fragrant.
• Add the wine and cook until about half the liquid has evaporated.
• Add the tomatoes, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and cook over medium-heat, stirring occasionally, for 10 to 12 minutes, until the tomatoes have released their juices and almost completely collapsed. Transfer the tomato mixture to a small dish (use a rubber spatula to get every last bit of the sauce!), then carefully wipe out the pan with a damp paper towel.
• Pat the scallops dry. Add the grapeseed oil to the skillet and turn the heat to medium-high. When the oil is very hot, add half the scallops, spacing them evenly in the pan, and season with kosher salt. Cook without moving for 2 to 3 minutes, until golden brown on the bottom. Flip and cook for 1 more minute. Don’t overcook! Transfer the scallops to a plate and repeat with the remaining scallops, adding more oil if necessary.
• Drain any remaining oil and take the skillet off the heat. Return the tomatoes and their juices to the skillet and squeeze in 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Return the scallops to the skillet, nestling them into the tomatoes. Top with the zest of both lemon halves, julienned basil and mint, and a generous sprinkle of coarse sea salt, and serve immediately.