Peaches may be one of the most underrated fruits that Pakistan is blessed with. Especially considering its time with us is overshadowed by Mango season. However, we are giving peaches their due time in the limelight with these mouth-watering recipes. Especially considering Eid is right around the corner and we have some wow-ing to do, don’t we?
Related: 5 Amazing Health Benefits of Peaches
Peach tea cake
This is perhaps one of the easiest tea items to whip up for Eid. Considering the fact that you can leave this out on your Eid table without having to worry about refrigerating it or it looking messy after taking a serving out of it. A simple slice and serve with juicy peaches bursting in every bite.
Grilled peaches with ice cream
Having a BBQ this Eid? Of course you are! You don’t need to worry about dessert. Halve some peaches, drizzle with lemon juice and sprinkle evenly with sugar and cinnamon, place them cut side down on the grill until the sugar caramelizes. Alternatively, you could wrap them in foil and place them on the grill if you want to avoid the mess. Serve warm with a scoop of your favorite vanilla ice cream.
Also Read: 5 Desserts That Won’t Leave You Feeling Too Guilty
Peach hand pies
Hand pies are quick, fuss-free, and give you the opportunity to make these ‘rustic’ little beauties when in all honesty you just can’t get the details of a full pie right. Cook down some chopped peaches in a dash of ginger powder, some brown sugar, butter and a touch of corn flour. Allow to cool before filling your pastry dough. Roll out either puff pastry or pastry dough into a circle the size of your palm, spoon in a little filling and fold in half- sealing securely with a fork. Cut a slit or two in the pastry before baking.
Peaches and cream bars
Move over, strawberries and cream. You can’t even come close to the divine duo of peaches and cream. And baked into bar form- it’s basically summer in dessert form. Layers of shortbread, creamy peach filling and crumble, this make a great dessert to take to the park, playdates or for your work colleagues.
Peach crumble
One of the simplest peach desserts you can put together- use the same filling for the hand pies and customize however you want. Add walnuts, another fruit- maybe even some fresh rosemary or thyme for something unique. Top with your favorite crumble (a combination of cold butter, flour, sugar, ground nuts and cinnamon). Bake until golden.
Peach Salad
It’s truly a unique salad that can be enjoyed when peach season is in full swing. You can take any combination of leaves (rocket, lettuce, watercress, baby spinach, arugula). Add a salad cheese (crumble blue cheese, feta, ricotta, cottage, fresh mozzarella). Choose your nuts and seeds (walnuts, almonds, macadamia, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds). You can keep your dressing light with a citrus vinaigrette or you can drizzle a small amount of your favorite store-bought dressing (ranch, thousand island). Don’t forget to fold some peach slices through!
Related: 5 Refreshing Summer Salads You Must Try
Mango-peach salsa
This makes a great side dish, topping for grilled chicken or a filling for tacos. But the best way would be to use it as a salsa is meant to be used in all its glory- with chips!
All you need is:
1 mango, finely diced
A medium onion, finely diced
2 peaches, finely diced
1-2 tomatoes, deseeded and diced
Coriander leaves, a few stalks
1 tbsp. lemon juice
Salt, to taste
½ tsp. red chili flakes
¼ tsp. minced garlic
Mix all of the above ingredients and allow to sit in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving.
Try this recipe from Chatelaine: Peach Upside Down Cake : https://www.chatelaine.com/recipe/desserts/peach-upside-down-cake/
Try this recipe from the tasteandtell blog: Peaches and Cream Bars : https://www.tasteandtellblog.com/peaches-and-cream-bars/