7.24.10 Peachy Keen
Peaches Poached in Basil Syrup
- — very large handful basil leaves
- — 6 ripe but still firm white peaches (yellow are also good)
- — 1/2 cup honey
- — 1 1/2 cups water
- — 1/2 cup rosé
Cut the peaches in half, remove pits and then slice each half into thirds. Cut a third of the basil leaves into chiffonade, leaving the rest whole. (Stack the leaves, fold them over several times and slice the packet into thin strips.)
Place the honey, water and wine in a heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring to combine. Bring mixture to a low boil and then reduce heat to simmer gently.
Drop half of the whole basil leaves into the syrup, and then gently add the peaches. Poach until soft but not falling apart (timing will depend on ripeness of your fruit). Use a fork to check carefully for tenderness.
Using a slotted spoon, remove the peaches to a bowl. With a pair of tongs, gently remove the skins and discard. (They should slide right off.) Add the remaining whole basil leaves to the syrup and boil until reduced by about half. Pour any juices that have collected in the bowl of peaches into this boiling syrup. When reduced, remove from heat, strain and cool.
To serve, place peaches in a bowl, garnish with the basil chiffonade and drizzle generously with syrup. Reserve the remaining syrup to use in cocktails, over ice cream, as a glaze for duck, etc.
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