Tavern in the Village Selected as Kansas Restaurant for Nationwide "Tree-to-Table" Campaign

This Wednesday, July 11 Tavern in the Village will be representing the wonderful state of Kansas in the Northwest Cherries national campaign for National Rainier Cherry Day. 

NW Cherries has selected one iconic restaurant in each U.S. state to create and feature a unique Rainier Cherry menu with $400 worth of free rainier cherries to play with and incorporate on their menu. From Rainier cherry-infused cocktails and brews to rainier cherry compotes, chefs all over the country are cooling down with this sweet, power-punched superfruit from the Pacific Northwest.

Tavern in the Village will be offering two dishes created by Chef Zeb Humphrey to highlight these magnificent cherries. The dishes include a Slow roasted Pork Shoulder served with Whipped Potatoes, Creamed Spinach with sliced Rainier cherries and a Rainier Cherry Gastrique  Rainier Cherry Panna Cotta with candied walnuts and Rainier cherry bourbon coulis.

Below is more information from the official press release about the Tree to Table campaign and the recipe for the Rainier Cherry Panna Cotta.

EVERYTHING’S BETTER WITH A CHERRY ON TOP:

 50 STATES TO BRING RAINIER CHERRIES TREE-TO-TABLE ACROSS AMERICA!

13 regional restaurants showcase cherries Midwestern style on July 11

SEATTLE, Wash.–(July 9, 2012)– In celebration of National Rainier Cherry Day on July 11, Northwest Cherries has commissioned one iconic restaurant in each US state to create a unique menu offering featuring Rainier cherries. This famed cherry is regarded for its crisp bite and pale yellow flesh bursting with exceptional sweetness.

Coast to coast, Northwest Cherries is making sure everyone has the opportunity to indulge this once-a-year treat. From Rainier cherry-infused cocktails and brews to Rainier cherry compotes on perfectly prepared proteins, each chef has designed a special dish that not only showcases the cherries’ sweet, crisp flavor but also incorporates them into the cuisine for which the state is known.

Rainier cherries are also beginning to prove they pack more than just a punch of flavor: recent scientific studies have shown the fruit to significantly reduce the likelihood of prostate cancer in high-risk males. Other key benefits include anti-inflammatory properties, contributing to wellness inside and out. In addition to less wrinkles, glowing skin and thicker hair, internal benefits include prevention of cancer and Alzheimer's Disease, decreased risk of cardiovascular disease and hypertension/stroke, reduced insulin resistance for diabetics, and better sleep.   

Rainier Cherry Panna Cotta w/ Macerated Cherry Gastrique and Candied Walnuts

Panna Cotta

3.25 cups heavy cream

1 cup milk

.75 cup sugar

2 tbs. Pink peppercorns crushed

2.5 tsp. unflavored gelatin

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Bring cream, .75 cup milk, sugar and pink peppercorns to boil

Remove from heat, cover for 10 minutes

Pour remaining milk into small bowl, sprinkle gelatin over and let stand until gelatin softens – about 10 min.

Bring cream mixture to a simmer, add gelatin mixture, and vanilla and let stand for 5 minutes and then pour through strainer

Coat ramekin with nonstick spray, divide mixture evenly, refrigerate and let stand until firm – about 6 hours

Macerated Cherry Gastrique

12 ounces of pitted rainier cherries halved

2 tbs. and .5 cup sugar

.25 tsp. fresh ground black pepper

1 cup red wine

Combine cherries, 2 tbs. sugar and ground pepper stir and let set 1 hour

Boil wine in saucepan until reduced by ¾ and .5 cup sugar

In a blender puree half of the cherries and put though a fine strainer

Add rest of cherries and red wine puree and reduce until a nice syrup – about 15 minutes

Candied Walnuts

1 cup walnuts

1 cup powdered sugar

3 tbs. water

Combine ingredients in a skillet and stir until all sugar has caramelized and walnuts are evenly coated.

The menu will be available through July 31.  

Tavern in the Village

3901 Prairie Lane

Prairie Village, KS 66208

For more information on the new Tavern in the Village menu or to make a reservation, visit www.taverninthevillage.com or call 913.529.2229. Follow Tavern in the Village on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/tavern_village and Facebook at http:///www.facebook.com/TavernintheVillage.