Peach Melba

Elegance comes to mind when I make this famous French dessert, originally created by Auguste Escoffier for the grand opening of the Ritz Carlton Hotel in London. These rich, sweet and juicy peaches are topped with a bright raspberry sauce that really makes them pop.

This recipe yields 4 servings


INGREDIENTS


  • For Peaches
  • ½ cup water
  • ½ cup honey
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 peaches

  • For Raspberry Sauce
  • 1 cup raspberries
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice

  • For Peaches
  • 120 ml water
  • 120 ml honey
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 peaches

  • For Raspberry Sauce
  • 128 g raspberries
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Directions

For Peaches

  1. Heat water, honey, lemon juice, and vanilla in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. 

  2. Once the honey fully dissolves and the liquid mixture begins to simmer, reduce heat and allow the liquid to thicken into a syrup. 

  3. Cut peaches in half leaving the pit on one side. Place the peaches face down in the saucepan of simmering syrup. Allow peaches to poach for about 2 minutes on each side. 

For Raspberry Sauce

  1. Place raspberries, honey, and lemon juice in a food processor, using the small bowl if it has one, with a chopping blade. 

  2. Pulse until mixture has a runny consistency.

  3. Sieve the raspberry seeds by pouring the mixture through a strainer using the back of a spoon to push the liquid through. 

  4. Drizzle on top of poached peaches.

  5. This dish can be served simply as is or layered over vanilla bean ice cream.


Tips

**Straining the raspberry sauce is optional. The seeds will create a more tart and textured sauce. Sieving makes a smooth and more elegant presentation.

 

Moroccan Kabobs

A Moroccan-inspired spice blend, chermoula, lends these easy veggie kabobs an exotic kick. They’re a great summer barbecue side dish but we grill them year-round. Top them with this light and tangy Tzatziki Sauce for a colorful meal reminiscent of the Mediterranean.

This recipe yields 5 kabobs


INGREDIENTS


  • For Chermoula Marinade:
  • ½ cup cilantro
  • ½ cup parsley
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 5 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 2 teaspoons ginger
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons sea salt

  •  For Kabobs:
  • ½ red pepper
  • ½ yellow pepper
  • ½ orange pepper
  • ½ red onion
  • 2 zucchinis
  • Cherry tomatoes

  • For Chermoula Marinade:
  • 64 g cilantro
  • 64 g parsley
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 5 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 2 teaspoons ginger
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons sea salt

  •  For Kabobs:
  • ½ red pepper
  • ½ yellow pepper
  • ½ orange pepper
  • ½ red onion
  • 2 zucchinis
  • Cherry tomatoes

 Directions

  1. Put all marinade ingredients into a small food processor bowl and use the small chop blade to blend. Process for about 30 seconds or until ingredients become runny.

  2. Cut peppers and onions into square shapes and zucchinis into rounds.

  3. Place all veggies in a bowl with marinade. Incorporate well and then let sit. 

  4. Arrange vegetables to assemble the kabobs on a tray.

  5. Feed the kabob through each vegetable.

  6. Turn grill on medium heat.

  7. Grill kabobs for 10 minutes, slightly turning them every few minutes.


Tips

**Divide up vegetable pieces for each skewer ahead of time to ensure equal numbers and sizes. 
**If you are using wooden skewers make sure to soak them in water for 30 minutes before grilling so they don’t burn off.
**If you use metal skewers make sure you have an oven or grill mitt handy to help you rotate the vegetables because they will get very hot.