Ranier Cherries and an Arm and a Leg

Nothing says summer to us more than ranier cherries.

Bing cherries used to be the favorite--but these have replaced bing.  Some people call them Queen Anne cherries--but here in northern Illinois they are Ranier cherries and the biggest and most lush come from Washington state.

But these cherries come at a price--and some serious sticker shock.  SERIOUS cha-ching sticker shock.  The season is short.  We do not grown them in our yard. (honey and peaches take up our sunshine)  And I do not care what they cost.  When they show up at Caputo's--I buy them.

I am frugal at heart.  I shop carefully for food.  Our menus are based on weekly sales--not on what we are hungry for--whatever the cost.

Except when it comes to ranier cherries...