Christmas Day is behind us and the New Year is on the horizon and with that comes great celebrations to mark endings and beginnings. Our boys are at that in-between age of not being able to operate independently and not really wanting to associate with us. We solve this dilemma by having a get together where we are joined by other families with children of a similar age. This year the venue is our house – it’s a bit like an American tea party where everyone brings a dish. I’m on dessert this year.

In December I discovered jars of these Morello cherries in the supermarket. I bought one jar and played around with it – then went back and bought 20 more. I have been using the cherries in tarts, over ice cream, and in my take on Black Forest Gâteau.

Cherries are a love-hate thing. Let’s hope for love around our New Year’s Eve table.