Danish Cherries - cooking recipe

Ingredients

4 cups pitted cherries
1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
3 -4 tablespoons sugar
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest (the grated outer yellow rind)
3/4 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 cup slivered almonds, blanched, optional (To blanch almonds, place them in a colander over a sink. Pour boiling water over them, and rub off t)
Toppings
whipped cream
whipped ricotta cheese (To whip ricotta, beat it vigorously with a whisk, or at high speed with an electric mixer)
cheese
plain yogurt, with a few blanched almonds folded in

Preparation

Place cherries in a heavy medium-sized saucepan, and cook over medium heat, covered, for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, combine cornstarch and sugar in a small bowl. Add lemon juice and whisk until smooth. Stir this into the hot cherries, and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until thick, about 5 to 8 minutes.
Remove from heat and stir in lemon zest, almond extract, and slivered almonds.
Serve hot, warm, room, temperature, or cold, top with whipped cream, whipped ricotta, or yogurt. Enjoy!