Piemontese Peach Gratin Recipes

FRESH PEACH GRATIN WITH PECAN CRUNCH TOPPING

Steps:

• Butter a 9-inch pie plate. In a bowl combine peaches, lemon juice, sugar and cornstarch. Pour into pie plate.
• In a separate bowl combine flour and sugar. Rub in cold butter until mixture resembles a coarse meal. Add pecans and toss together. Sprinkle pecan mixture over peaches and bake until peaches are tender and topping is bubbly and golden, about 30 to 40 minutes.

PECHE ALLA PIEMONTESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• Rinse, halve and stone the peaches. Puree 2 of the peaches in a food processor. Place the puree in a bowl add the sugar, crushed macaroons and the egg yolk. Cover each peach halve with this filling and place the peach halves in a buttered baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining butter over the peaches and bake for about 45 minutes. Serve hot or cold, with or without heavy cream.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees and set rack at middle level in oven.
• Break the almond paste into 1-inch pieces. In the bowl of a mixer, combine almond paste, and sugars. With the paddle attachment, mix on the slowest speed to crumble together, paste and sugars. Pour in the egg whites in 3 to 4 additions, beating well between each addition. Scrape down the bowl frequently as you are adding the egg whites.
• If possible, leave time to pack the macaroon paste into a plastic container and allow it to age overnight in the refrigerator before baking.
• Use a plain tube with a 1/2 to 3/4-inch opening (Ateco #7 or #8) to pipe 3/4 to 1-inch macaroons on parchment or waxed paper lined cookie trays. Leave 1-inch around each macaroon.
• Moisten the surface of the macaroons with a wet towel and sprinkle with granulated or confectioners' sugar. Bake immediately for 15 minutes to 20 minutes, until thet are well puffed and golden. Cool the macaroons. When cool, remove them from paper by turning paper over and moistening the back of the paper, then peel it off.
• Yield: 34 cookies

PESCHE ALLA PIEMONTESE: STUFFED PEACHES FROM PIEMONTE

Steps:

• Rinse, halve, and stone the peaches. Puree 2 of the peach halves in a food processor. Place the puree in a bowl and add the sugar, crushed macaroons and the egg yolk. Cover each peach half with this filling and place the peach halves in a buttered baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining butter over the peaches and bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes. Serve hot or cold, with or without heavy cream.

CREAMED ONION GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease a gratin dish or medium casserole.
• Cut off the root and tip of the onions. Slice in half length-wise and peel. Lay the cut-side of the onion down and slice length-wise into thick wedges.
• In a Dutch oven or heavy pot, melt two tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and caramelized, about 40 minutes. Add the sherry and simmer until it evaporates. Remove the onions from the pan and pour through a fine mesh sieve. Let them drain while making the bechamel sauce. (Draining the onions prevents a runny gratin because the onions will continue to release more liquid in the oven.)
• In the same Dutch oven, melt 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for one minute. Add the scalded milk and cook, whisking constantly, until the sauce is very thick. Remove from the heat. Fold in the Gruyere and stir until completely melted. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Add the onions to the cheese sauce and toss to thoroughly coat. Pour the onion mixture into the gratin dish.
• Melt the remaining tablespoon of butter and toss with the panko crumbs. Sprinkle over the top of the onions and bake until bubbly and golden brown, about 30 minutes. Serve warm.