CELEBRATE GEORGE'S BIRTHDAY with 'FLAMING' CHERRIES JUBILEE

"Father, I cannot tell a lie, I cut the tree."

(Anecdote of Washington, as a boy, confessing to his father Augustine Washington that it was he who had cut a cherished cherry tree.)

~ Wikiquote

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~ George Washington

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CHERRIES JUBILEE

~ adapted from Winterthur's Culinary Collection

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4 tsp. lemon juice

1/3 cup sugar

1 cup cherry syrup (from canned cherries)

3-4 Tbsp. sifted cornstarch

1 1/2 cups pitted & drained Bing cherries

1 tsp. grated lemon peel

1/4 tsp. almond extract

1/2 cup cherry brandy, divided

toasted slivered almonds

Combine lemon juice, sugar, and cherry syrup in saucepan or wow a crowd over a chafing dish. Stir over high heat until mixture is well blended. Gradually stir cornstarch into mixture until sauce is thick and clear. Reduce heat. Add drained cherries, lemon peel, almond extract, and 1/4 cup brandy. Simmer for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and keep warm. Just before serving, pour 1/4 cup brandy over mixture. Ignite without stirring. When flame subsides, serve over generous scoops of good vanilla ice cream and/or cake. Sprinkle with toasted almonds. (Serves 6)