Opal Basil Macerated Peaches Recipes

MACERATED FRUIT

Steps:

• Combine your ingredients of choice in a medium bowl and toss together until the fruit is evenly coated. For inspiration, try some of my favorite fruit, herb and spice combinations, such as Peach and Ginger, Blackberry and Mint, Cherry and Cinnamon and Strawberry and Vanilla.
• Cover the bowl with reusable or regular plastic wrap and refrigerate for 24 hours, stirring about halfway through and gently pressing the fruit with a rubber spatula until the liquid completely covers the fruit.
• After the 24 hours, strain the liquid through a fine-mesh sieve, gently pressing on the fruit with a rubber spatula to extract as much juice as possible. Reserve both the fruit and the liquid. Discard any other solids, such as herb sprigs, whole spices or aromatics.
• Serving suggestions for the macerated fruit: Serve immediately on top of yogurt with granola, or desserts, such as grilled pound cake or ice cream. You can also muddle the fruit into cocktails or add it to sangria. The fruit can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 or 4 days or frozen for up to 6 months. Thaw before serving.
• The macerated liquid can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 1 week or frozen in an ice cube tray. Once frozen, cover with reusable or regular plastic wrap and freeze for up to 6 months. You can use a small offset spatula to help remove individual cubes from the tray, then thaw the macerated liquid as needed.
• Serving suggestions for the macerated liquid:
• Homemade soda: For 1 serving, pour 1/4 cup macerated liquid in a tall glass filled with ice, top with 12 ounces sparkling water and serve.
• Fruit shrub: For the shrub base, combine 1 part macerated liquid with 1 part apple cider vinegar (for example, 1/2 cup of each). Mix to evenly combine. For 1 serving, pour 1/4 cup of the shrub base into a tall glass filled with ice, top with 12 ounces sparkling water and serve.
• Fruit vinaigrette: Turn your shrub base (see above) into a vinaigrette. Whisk 1 part shrub base with 1 part neutral oil (such as canola, grapeseed or vegetable oil; for example, 1/4 cup of each) in a bowl until emulsified. Season the vinaigrette with salt and pepper. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
• Fruit syrup: Bring the macerated liquid to a boil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook until reduced by half and thickened to the consistency of maple syrup-it should coat the back of a spoon without running off very quickly. Let the syrup cool completely, then serve over ice cream, pancakes, oatmeal, or yogurt and granola. The syrup also makes for a great gift when poured into a jar. It can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

BROILED PEACHES

Steps:

• Sprinkle peach halves with sugar. Place under broiler and broil about 5 to 7 minutes until sugar is caramelized.

PEACHES CARDINAL HUME

Steps:

• Put the granulated sugar into a saucepan large enough to hold the peaches. Add the water and the vanilla pod and bring to the boil, gently to begin with, stirring until the sugar dissolves. When simmering put in the peaches. Bring back to simmering point and very gently poach for 8 minutes. Remove the peaches and peel while still warm. The syrup can be bottled and used to poach other fruits. Put the peaches in a beautiful glass dish and chill.
• Liquidise the raspberries with the caster sugar and pass through a sieve if you wish to get rid of the pips. When ready to eat, pour the red puree over the succulent peaches. Decorate with mint leaves dragged through icing (confectioners') sugar.

AMARETTI STUFFED PEACHES

Steps:

• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350 degrees. Melt 2 Tbsp. butter and pour into a 13 x 19 inch glass or ceramic baking dish. Pulse 3/4 cup crumbled amoretti in a food processor until finely chopped, then add flour, sugar, salt, and remaining 2 Tbsp. butter. Blend until butter is incorporated, then add egg and blend until smooth.
• Scoop out just enough peach pulp from center of each peach half with a melon ball cutter or small spoon to create a 1" deep cavity. Arrange peaches, cut sides up, in baking dish, then brush skins with melted butter from dish. Divide amaretti mixture among cavities, then sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup crumbled amoretti over filling. Bake until filling is puffed and crisp, 40 to 50 minutes. Serve warm or at room temp.
• Wisk mascarpone with a few tablespoons of milk until it reaches a consistency suitable to dollop on peaches. Spoon on 1 Tbsp. per peach.

MAPLE VODKA PEACHES

Steps:

• Heat a grill pan over a medium-low heat. Pour in the olive oil.
• Place the peaches cut-side up in the grill pan. Carefully pour 1 teaspoon vodka into each well and allow to cook on a gentle sizzling heat for 7 minutes; the vodka will heat and infuse into the peaches.
• Spoon 1/2 tablespoon maple syrup into each well, allow to cook for 1 minute. Turn the peaches over, cut-side down, and allow them to cook through and the sauce to caramelize, about 7 minutes further.
• Whilst the peaches are cooking, toast the pistachios in a small dry sauté pan over medium heat, tossing occasionally, until they start to brown a little, about 1 minute. Remove from the pan and roughly chop.
• Serve the peaches on a platter. Spoon over any excess sauce, scatter with toasted pistachios and sprinkle with the tarragon. Serve with vegan vanilla ice cream on the side.