A Peach For The Porch Food

PORK WITH PEACHES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C/gas 7).
• Score the skin of the pork through the fat, the incisions should be about 1 centimeter apart. Turn over. Make a pocket for the stuffing by cutting an incision at an angle, about 3 inches (7.5 centimeters) deep in the center of the streaky part of the loin, working away from the eye meat. Starting slightly in from the side of the meat, slowly slice along the loin not quite to the end, this will ensure your stuffing won't fall out.
• Chop half the thyme with 1 clove of garlic and scrunch together with the butter, 1 tin of peaches, and a good pinch of salt and pepper. Push the butter into the pocket and pat back into shape. Lay the pancetta, bacon or Parma ham over the pork, leaving the skin side uncovered, and tie up firmly with 3 to 4 pieces of string.
• Place skin-side up in a roasting tray with the remaining peaches, the garlic cloves, thyme, and half of the white wine. Roast for around 1 hour until the skin is crisp and golden.
• When ready, remove the pork and peaches to a plate and leave to rest for 15 minutes whilst you finish the sauce. To do this, remove most of the fat from the roasting tray, then place the tray over a high heat. Squash the cooked garlic and add 1 tablespoon of flour. Stir and add the rest of the wine with a glass of water or stock. Simmer and leave to reduce for a few minutes. Strain and add any extra juices from the rested pork. Check the seasoning and consistency and serve drizzled over the sliced pork.

BROWN SUGAR PEACH ICEBOX CAKE

Steps:

• Remove the pound cake from its pan and line the pan with plastic wrap, leaving plenty of overhang.
• Slice the cake horizontally into 3 equal slices.
• Mix the peaches, preserves, salt and 3 tablespoons brown sugar in a bowl, then set aside.
• Add the heavy cream, remaining 3 tablespoons brown sugar and 2 tablespoons of the reserved peach juices to a bowl. Whip until firm peaks form.
• Place one slice of cake in the bottom of the lined pan and press to slightly flatten. Top with a third of the whipped cream and a thin layer of the peach mixture. Repeat the process 2 more times, saving the rest of the peaches to serve with the cake.
• Loosely cover with the overhanging plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 hours. Cover and reserve any extra peach mixture for serving.
• To serve, carefully lift the cake from the pan using the plastic wrap, then discard the wrap. Place a few basil leaves over the top. Slice and serve with the reserved peaches spooned over the top.

GRILLED PORK AND PEACHES

Steps:

• Light a fire in a fire pit with a grill, or in a charcoal grill, or set a gas grill to high. If you have a very strong vent in your kitchen, you may use your stove with a burner set to high. Place a large cast-iron pan or two-burner griddle over the heat and allow it to get hot. At this point you can let the fire die slightly with no ill effect. If using a gas grill or stove, turn heat to medium.
• Meanwhile, put the pork on a work surface and, using a meat mallet, pound to an even thickness of approximately 3/4 of an inch.
• Combine the garlic, rosemary and 6 tablespoons olive oil in a small bowl, mixing to make a rough paste. Season the pork aggressively on both sides with salt and pepper, then spread half the garlic mixture over one side and half on the other side.
• Brush the pan or griddle with the remaining olive oil, allow it to heat until it shimmers and is almost smoking, then place meat on the hot surface and cook, without touching, until it forms a good crust, approximately 10 minutes.
• While the meat cooks, surround it with the peaches, cut side down, and dot the fruit with the butter. (If you're using two cast-iron skillets, place the peaches in their own oiled pan.) Let them cook for approximately 5 minutes, or until they are soft and slightly charred. Transfer to a platter and tent with foil to keep warm.
• When the meat is well browned on the first side, use tongs to turn it over, and cook in the remaining butter for another 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the meat to a carving board and allow it to rest below a tent of foil for approximately 5 minutes. Slice the meat and serve with the peaches.

POACHED PEACHES

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, combine sugar and 2 cups water. Bring to a simmer over medium-high, and cook, stirring occasionally, until sugar has dissolved. Add lemon juice and peaches. Simmer until peaches are tender when pierced with the tip of a knife, about 10 minutes. Remove saucepan from heat, and let peaches cool in the poaching liquid. Using a slotted spoon, remove peaches from poaching liquid, peel, discarding skins. Slice peach halves into 6 wedges each. Transfer peaches and poaching liquid to a bowl. Cover; refrigerate until chilled.

A PEACH FOR THE PORCH

Steps:

• To make the Vanilla-Honey Syrup, add honey and ¾ cup water to a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until honey is dissolved. Turn off heat, stir in vanilla bean or extract. Let cool to room temperature, then transfer (including vanilla bean if using) to a clean airtight container. Let chill overnight before using. Syrup will keep, refrigerated, for 2 weeks.
• To make the cocktail, add bourbon, peach nectar, lemon juice, and Vanilla-Honey Syrup to a cocktail shaker. Fill with ice and shake until well chilled, about 15 seconds. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice. Garnish with lemon wheel or frozen peach slice.