My Version of Maraschino Cherries

I went to the grocery store
the other day and saw Rainier cherries out for the first time this yr.
My dad got me started on these. Ive seen them but always thought they
were sour cherries, until I tried them. He told me they are even better than Bing's and he was right.  So I
decided to buy a bag and enjoy a rare snack.

While I was there
I saw Bing's were on sale for a really good price so I bought 5lbs. of
those too. I spent the day pitting cherries. The Rainier's are so good
tho , I thought I have to find a way to have these other times. I
thought of Maraschino cherries. While the cheap ones in the store are
loaded with coloring, sugar and god only knows what else, I thought , I
can do better.

And so here's my recipe for:



My Version of Maraschino Cherries

about 1lb. Rainier cherries, pitted and stemmed
A bottle of Dry Sherry
1 vanilla bean
1/2c. sugar

Put
all pitted, stemmed cherries in a glass jar. Cover with Sherry. Poke
vanilla bean into middle and add the sugar. Shake to blend till sugar
is dissolved. Store in a dark cabinet. They have been in there now a
couple days and I decided to try them today.

OMG!! Not only are
they heavenly, you can taste a bit of vanilla too. And the sherry would
make a nice thing to sip or pour over ice cream or soak a cake with.
This was an experiment and I see that some cherries were bruised and
look worse after soaking but still taste ok. But they are so darn good,
I'm planning on making more!!