Aunt Gingers Homemade Peach Brandy Food

BRANDIED PEACHES

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Using the tip of a paring knife, make a shallow "X" in the bottom of each peach. Add the peaches, one at a time, to the boiling water and cook for 1 minute. Remove the peach from the water and plunge into a bowl of ice water. Repeat with the remaining peaches. Peel off the skins, then pit the fruit and quarter the flesh.
• In another large pot, combine 3 cups water and the sugar and bring to a boil. Add the peaches and simmer until just soft.
• Have the jars, bands and new lids scalded and ready. (To scald, dip the jars and rims in boiling water. You don't need to sterilize the jars, as you will be processing them for more than 10 minutes.) Simmer the lids in hot water to soften the rubberized flange. Gently pack the peaches into the jars.
• Boil the leftover syrup until it thickens slightly, then spoon it over the fruit, filling the jars ¾ full. Use a butter knife to release any air bubbles caught in the jars. Pour in enough brandy to fill the jars, leaving ¼ inch of headroom. Wipe the rims, cover with the lids and screw on the bands fingertip-tight. Place the jars on a rack in a big pot and cover with 2 to 3 inches of water. Cover the pot and bring to a boil over high heat, then lower the heat to medium and gently boil for 20 minutes. Remove the cover and then, after about 5 minutes, remove the jars. Allow them to cool, untouched, for 4 to 6 hours. Check the seals and store in a cool, dark place for up to a year. Refrigerate after opening.

PEACH BRANDY

Steps:

• Use only fully ripened, unblemished fruit.
• Wash and remove pits.
• Chop and mash fruit.
• Place in a plastic container or large glass bottle.
• Dissolve sugar in the vodka or brandy.
• Pour over the fruit.
• Cover and let sit in a cool dark place for 4 to 6 months.
• Strain out the fruit and bottle.
• Your peach brandy is ready to drink!

AUNT RAFFY'S PEACH AND BLUEBERRY CRISP

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• For the filling: Butter a 7-by-3-inch round baking dish and set aside. In a large bowl, toss together the sliced peaches, blueberries, lemon juice, sugar, arrowroot, vanilla and salt. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
• For the topping: In a separate bowl, mix together the oats, flour, sugar, cinnamon and salt. Using your hands, work the butter into the flour mixture until there are no longer any powdery ingredients at the bottom of the bowl. Break apart large pieces of the topping mixture and place on top of the fruit until the fruit mixture is almost entirely covered. Bake until the topping is golden brown and crispy and the fruit mixture is bubbling, about 40 minutes. Let cool for at least 20 minutes. Serve with the ice cream.

BRANDY AND BLOOD ORANGE PUNCH

Steps:

• In a 4-quart bowl, arrange 1 sliced blood orange in concentric circles. Add the blackberries and cover with the orange juice and lemon lime soda. Place in the freezer overnight.
• In a punch bowl, add the ice block, blood orange juice, lime juice, lemon juice, brandy, raspberry or blackberry liqueur and peach schnapps. Pour in the seltzer. Ladle into rocks glasses or stemless wine glasses and serve chilled.

SUNNY'S PEAR AND GINGER MARINADE

Steps:

• Combine the pear juice, soy sauce, honey, ginger, sesame oil and garlic in a small pot over medium heat. And a few grinds more than normal of black pepper. Bring to a boil, then remove from the heat and allow to cool completely. Use as desired.

AUNT GINGER'S HOMEMADE PEACH BRANDY

Steps:

• Use a clean one gallon open mouth jar. Pour sugar in bottom to a depth of one and a half inches. Wash some small, very ripe peaches (in season). Fill the jug with the peaches. Pour enough gin in the jar to completely cover the peaches. Screw on the top and store in a cool dark place (away from any sources of ignition). Each day, gently agitate the jar until the sugar completely dissolves into the gin. Leave in the cool dark place until Thanksgiving. Enjoy in small servings.