Ingredients (make 4 servings)
To make the Mató
To prepare the cherries
3 liters FRESH, non-pasteurized milk
240g of cherries
160g fresh lemon juice
250ml of red wine
125ml sugar
1 piece star anise
Bring the milk to a boil and remove from the flame, let it cool slightly before adding the lemon juice. Stir briefly and allow to rest for one hour. Pour the mixture through a fine strainer, pressing the curds (solids) gently with a clean kitchen towel to expel all of the whey (liquid). Divide the solids between serving bowl, discard the whey.
Then remove the pits of the cherries, trying to keep the halves intact.
Place in a medium-sized sauce pan with the sugar, wine, and star anise and simmer until the liquid reaches a syrup-like consistency.
Top the fresh cheese with the cherries and serve.
You may substitute fresh apples and either dried or fresh apricots, plums, or peaches for the cherries.
