Almond Peach Sundae Food

PEACH MELBA SUNDAE

Steps:

• Put a sundae glass or bowl in the freezer to chill. To make the sauce, put the raspberries, sugar and lime juice in a blender, and blitz to a purée, loosening with a splash of water if necessary. Set aside. Meanwhile, whip the cream with the vanilla and icing sugar until it holds its shape, then transfer to a piping bag fitted with a star-shaped nozzle, if you like.
• Pour the champagne or prosecco (if using) into the chilled glass, then neatly layer balls of ice cream, peach wedges, raspberries, raspberry sauce and cream, finishing with a big swirl of cream on the top. Scatter with the toasted almonds and serve straight away with two spoons.

FRESH PEACH SUNDAE SAUCE

Steps:

• In a 2-quart saucepan, stir together the sugar, cornstarch, nutmeg and cinnamon. Mix in the water and juice. Bring this to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Reduce heat and simmer for one minute.
• Stir in the peaches and continue simmering for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until peaches soften slightly. Remove from heat. Because the peaches will continue to cook in the hot syrup, you don't want to overcook them while pan is on the heat.
• Serve warm or cold over ice cream.

SPICED PEACH SUNDAES

Steps:

• Melt butter in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add brown sugar; stir to blend. Add vanilla, cardamom and nutmeg. Stir 1 minute. Add peaches; toss gently to coat. Cook until sugar mixture melts and peaches are tender but do not fall apart, tossing occasionally, about 5 minutes. (Can be made 8 hours ahead. Cover; chill. Rewarm over low heat before using.)
• Place 2 scoops ice cream in each of 8 bowls. Spoon peach mixture over ice cream, dividing equally. Garnish with pecans and whipped cream.

PEACH-ALMOND UPSIDE-DOWN CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly butter a 9-inch-round cake pan. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add 3/4 cup sugar and 1 tablespoon water and cook, stirring occasionally, until smooth and deep golden brown, 8 to 11 minutes. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and tilt to coat the bottom. Arrange the peach wedges snugly in the bottom of the pan in a single layer, cutting to fit if needed.
• Combine the flour, almonds, baking powder and salt in a food processor and pulse until the almonds are finely ground.
• Beat the remaining 7 tablespoons butter and 3/4 cup sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla and almond extracts. Beat in the flour mixture in 3 batches, alternating with the milk and beginning and ending with the flour mixture; beat in each addition until just incorporated.
• Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan and bake until golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 45 minutes. Transfer to a rack and let cool 30 minutes. Invert onto a plate and let cool completely. Serve with ice cream.

LEMON AND STRAWBERRY SUNDAES

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 9-by-5-inch metal loaf pan and line the bottom and sides with a strip of parchment paper.
• Add the butter, ricotta and sugar to a large bowl. Beat the mixture with a hand-held mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Reduce the speed to low and add the eggs, lemon zest, lemon juice and vanilla extract and beat to combine. Add the flour, baking powder and salt. Fold the ingredients together with a rubber spatula until just combined. (Do not overmix.) Pour into the prepared pan and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 minutes. Remove to a rack to cool for 1 hour.
• For the assembly: Meanwhile, combine the berries, salt and 2 tablespoons sugar in a small bowl. Toss well with a fork to combine, mashing the berries slightly with the back of the fork. Allow to sit at room temperature for 10 minutes. Whisk together the heavy cream, vanilla extract and remaining 2 tablespoons sugar in a separate bowl until soft peaks form.
• Dice 6 slices of lemon loaf, then divide evenly among 6 bowls or glasses. Top each serving with some of the strawberry sauce, followed by a scoop of ice cream and a dollop of whipped cream.

PEACH & ALMOND SLICES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Unroll the pastry on a lightly floured surface and cut in half horizontally. Slice each half into 3.
• Lay the pastry sheets on a baking sheet. Use a knife to mark a 1cm border on each - be careful not to go all the way through. Prick inside the border with a fork, then brush all over with beaten egg.
• Bake for 10 mins until golden and slightly risen. Divide the marzipan equally between the pastry squares and fan out the peach slices on top, followed by a sprinkling of almonds.
• Put the slices back into the oven for 10 mins until they have puffed up and are golden. Serve with a dollop of crème fraîche.

PEACH SUNDAE CRUNCH

Steps:

• In a shallow baking pan, combine oats, brown sugar, butter and cinnamon; spread evenly in pan.
• Bake at 350* for 10 minutes.
• Remove from oven and stir to break into small pieces as mixture cools.
• To serve, spoon peaches into dessert dishes; top with a scoop of ice cream.
• Sprinkle with crumb mixture.

PEACH & ALMOND TART

Steps:

• To make the pastry, rub together the flour and butter until it looks like fine breadcrumbs, then mix in the sugar. Add 1 egg yolk and 1 tsp water, followed by the next yolk and 1 tsp water until the dough just comes together. Wrap in cling film and refrigerate for 30 mins.
• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Roll the pastry out on a lightly floured surface until big enough to line a 23cm tart tin. If the dough rips, simply patch it up. Cut away the excess pastry. Line with greaseproof paper, fill with baking beans, then bake for 10 mins. Remove paper and beans. Prick quite a few holes in the base of your tart, then bake for another 10-15 mins until biscuity.
• While the pastry cooks, make the filling. Whisk the sugar and butter together until you get a pale paste. Beat in the eggs and finally add the almonds and flour. Spoon into pastry case, arrange the peach slices across the top in a pattern and bake for 30-40 mins until golden. When cool, brush your preserve or jam across the top. Serve with a little pot of crème fraîche on the side and eat it quick before anyone else gets their hands on it!