August is National Peach Month and the time when we find the juiciest, plumpest, and sweetest peaches for sale at produce markets across America. There are 700 varieties of peach and about as many ways to enjoy this ancient Chinese fruit. Peaches are eaten fresh, used in teas and cocktails, baked into desserts, preserved, and canned. They are rich in Vitamin A, E, and C and contain considerable amounts of zinc, magnesium, and potassium. Peaches are also plentiful and cheap right now as the growing season for the Carolinas is from early June until September. With so many reasons to add peaches to your menu this week, why not pick up a bag or basket on your next market trip?
5 Quick and Delicious Menu Ideas with Peaches
- Refreshing Peach Iced Tea
- Fun & Fizzy Peach Cooler
- Perfectly Peachy Pie
- Just Peachy Cobbler
- Sparkling Peach Bellini Cocktail. Blend 1 fresh, peeled peach or 1 can peaches (drained) until smooth. Pour in bottom of 4 wine glasses. Add 1/2 ounce Peach Schnaps for a peachy keen flavor boost, optional. Top with sparkling wine, Proseco, or Champagne and drop in cut strawberries. Sip & Enjoy!
Recipes:
Fizzy Peach Cooler, yields about 8 fluid cups
1 12 ounce can of Frozen Lemonade, thawed
2 Cups Peach Nectar, chilled
2 (23 ounce) bottles Sparkling Mineral Water, chilled
1/2 Cup Strawberries, frozen or fresh, cut in half
Combine all ingredients in a glass pitcher and stir gently with spatula. Ready to serve immediately over ice.
Easy Just Peachy Cobbler, yields 6 servings
INGREDIENTS:
3 fresh peaches, peeled and sliced or cubed
1 Cup White Sugar plus 1 Tablespoon
1 Cup All Purpose Flour
1 1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder
1/2 teaspoon Salt, not Kosher
1 Egg, beaten well or Substitute 3 Tablespoons dairy or soy Milk.
1/2 Cup Butter or Margarine, melted
2 Teaspoons Lemon Juice
Several Dashes of Ground Cinnamon to cover the topping
PROCESS:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a bowl combine cut peaches with juice and 1 Tablespoon of sugar gently until fruit is coated. Layer fruit evenly across the bottom of a glass baking pie dish or casserole baking dish. In a dry bowl combine the dry ingredients. Stir to combine then stir in the beaten egg until all is moist. A medium hen egg is a good size for this dish. A duck egg would be too big and rich for our topping. *Substitute 2 ounces of pasteurized liquid egg or egg substitute if desired. Spread topping evenly across the peaches to cover them. Sprinkle cinnamon across top completely. Pour melted butter over top. Bake uncovered 40 minutes or until topping is cooked to a golden-brown color. Enjoy warm. Whipped cream, Cool Whip, or ice cream is a great served with this cobbler. Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 weeks. Fully reheat before eating leftovers.
The Carolina Cuisine Network 