Life is just Peachy…

“Chocolate’s okay, but I prefer a really intense fruit taste. You know when a peach is absolutely perfect… it’s sublime. I’d like to capture that and then use it in a dessert.”
-Kathy Mattea

On holiday, I have always enjoyed eating fresh peaches, especially if they came from the local market. There is nothing better than biting into a ripe and juicy peach.

Here in the UK, July is officially the start of the peach season. I am delighted because at the moment, they are well priced and in abundance in all my local supermarkets.

They are one of my favourite fruits and certainly one of my 5-a-Day

Peaches are full of vitamin C and are also a good source of potassium and fibre. They contain beta-carotene, which the body converts to vitamin A.

These sweet tasting fruits are perfect to eat on there own, but they are so versatile. Peaches can be baked, grilled, poached and barbecued.  They can be used for sweet or savoury dishes and compliment many other interesting flavours and textures. They are perfect for salads and salsas too.

Peaches go well with: cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, berries, apricots, cherries, lemon cardamon, butter, cream, ice cream,yogurt, pistachios, almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, pecans, brown sugar, maple syrup and if you fancy an extra kick, add some cointreau or spiced rum.

I enjoy eating peaches with everything, but walnuts and maple syrup are my favourites at the moment.

Here is my simple, but tasty Maple Glazed Peaches with Walnuts.

Ingredients:

• Peaches halved and stoned
•  Walnuts
• Maple Syrup
•  Cinnamon
• Freshly ground Black Pepper
•  Peaches & Cream Yogurt

Method

1. Sprinkle the have peaches and walnuts with cinnamon and glaze with the maple syrup.
2. Place under a preheated grill and cook through till the peaches are soft, but hold hold their shape.
3. Arrange on a plate with quenelles of peaches and cream yogurt.
4. Add a grinding of black pepper to enhance the sweetness of the peaches.

By the way, I love Canadian Maple Syrup; reminds me of my childhood!