Brandied Peaches 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.

BRANDIED PEACHES

Steps:

• Insert 2 cloves in each whole, peeled peach.
• Make a syrup of the sugar and water.
• Beat the egg white to a froth and add to the syrup; skim.
• Add fruit, one layer at a time, and boil for five minutes.
• Pack in sterilized jars.
• Boil the syrup about ten minutes more, or until thickened.
• Remove from heat, add brandy and pour over the fruit.
• Seal at once in a boiling water bath.

BRANDIED PEACH FOOL

Steps:

• In a saucepan, combine the peaches, sugar and brandy. Cook over medium heat until peaches become tender, about 10 minutes. Remove peaches from the heat and refrigerate until completely cooled. Fold cooled fruit mixture into whipped cream. Refrigerate for several hours. Serve in chilled brandy snifter glasses. Garnish with a few sliced peaches.

BRANDIED PEACH CUSTARD PIE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
• For the peaches: Over high heat, in a saute pan, heat the butter. When the butter is hot add the sugar. Stir until the sugar is dissolved. Add the peaches and saute for 5 to 6 minutes, or until the sugar starts to turn dark amber in color. Incorporate the brandy into the peach mixture. Carefully ignite the brandy and flambe the peaches. Remove from heat and allow to cool, about 10 minutes.
• For the custard: In a mixing bowl, whisk all the ingredients together until fully incorporated. In an unbaked pie crust, spoon the brandied peaches over the pie crust. Place the crust in the oven and pour the custard into the shells. This prevents spilling the custard in the oven. Bake for 1 hour or until the custard sets. Place foil around the crust for the first 30 minutes and then remove. This keeps the crust from getting too brown. Allow to cool for about 30 minutes. Place a slice of the pie on the plate and garnish with powder sugar, whipped cream, and fresh mint.
• For the crust: In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt and sugar. Add the shortening and work it through with your hands until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the water, 1 tablespoon at a time, and work it in with your hands until you have a smooth ball of dough. Wrap the dough in plastic and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Remove the dough from the refrigerator and place it on a lightly floured surface. This recipe will make two pie crusts.
• For the individual crust: Divide the dough into fourths. Roll out the dough on the floured surface into a circle about 5 inches in diameter and 1/8-thick.
• For the whole pie crust: Roll out the dough on the floured surface into a circle about 14 inches in diameter and 1/8 inch thick. Gently fold the circles of dough in half and then in half again so that you can lift it without tearing it, and unfold into a 9-inch pie pan.

BRANDIED PEACHES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F
• Drain peaches, reserving 3/4 cup syrup.
• Crumble mincemeat in a saucepan and add syrup.
• Boil, stirring for 3-4 minutes or until thickened.
• Add brandy and boil 1 minute longer.
• Place peach halves in baking dish.
• Spoon mince-meat mixture over peaches.
• Bake 15 Minutes.
• After removing from oven sprinkle with pecans if desired.

BRANDIED-PEACH PORK CHOPS

Steps:

• Pat pork chops dry, then sprinkle on both sides with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper (total).
• Heat oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium heat until it shimmers, then cook pork chops, turning once, until browned and just cooked through, 10 to 12 minutes total. Transfer to a platter and keep warm, loosely covered with foil. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon fat from skillet.
• Heat butter in skillet over medium heat until foam subsides, then cook shallots with thyme, stirring occasionally, until tender and golden-brown, about 5 minutes.
• Add 1/4 cup brandy to skillet and carefully ignite with a kitchen match (use caution; flames will shoot up), then cook over medium heat, scraping bottom of skillet to loosen brown bits. When flames subside, add peaches, preserves, and 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper and cook, covered, until peaches are tender and juicy, about 3 minutes. Stir in remaining tablespoon brandy, any meat juices from platter, and salt and pepper to taste, then spoon sauce over chops.

NEW ZEALAND BRANDIED PEACHES

Steps:

• Special equipment: 1 x 2 liter sealable glass jar or 2 x 1 liter sealable glass jars.
• Sterilize the jar/s by boiling in water for 2 minutes. Dry with a clean cloth and set aside until needed.
• Use a small, sharp knife to cut a small cross at the base of each peach. Place peaches in a large, deep bowl and cover with boiling water. Allow peaches to sit for 2-3 minutes.
• Transfer one peach to a plate. Try to peel the skin off. If it comes off easily then drain and peel the remaining peaches. If not, let them sit in the boiling water for a further minute or so.
• Cut peaches into quarters and then halve again. Discard the stones. Arrange peaches in layers in the jar alternating with layers of caster sugar. Place the vanilla pod down one side of the jar/s.
• Pour over the brandy making sure the peaches are completely covered. Seal tightly then shake gently to help dissolve the sugar.
• Place jar/s in a cool, dark place for 3 months. Make sure you shake the jar gently once a week.
• After 3 months serve brandied peaches with pancakes, ice-cream or enjoy with a dollop of clotted cream for dessert.

PEACHES IN BRANDY

Steps:

• Prepare peaches (dip peaches into boiled water, then into ice-cold water--skins will slip off; then halve and twist to remove the pit).
• Make a syrup with the sugar & water in a large sauce-pan; stir mixture until it boils.
• To the boiling syrup, add peach halves and extract.
• When fruit is cooked (5-7 min), remove pan from heat, drain (reserve); cool fruits and spoon carefully into prepared jars.
• Half fill jars with reserved syrup, run a butter knife down the jar to remove air bubbles; fill jars to the top with BRANDY.
• Seal jars with lids, shake gently to mix syrup and brandy.
• Store in a cool dark place--use within six months.
• I've also added a pinch of cinnamon and cloves with VERY good results.

PORK CHOPS WITH BRANDIED PEACHES

Steps:

• In a small skillet cook onion in 1 tablespoon oil over moderately low heat, stirring, until softened.
• Stir in 1 teaspoon vinegar and 1/4 teaspoon curry powder. Transfer mixture to a small bowl and stir in peaches and parsley.
• In a small dish stir together remaining 3/4 teaspoon curry powder, salt, and pepper. Pat pork chops dry and sprinkle mixture on both sides of pork chops, patting the seasoning into the chops.
• In a 9-inch heavy non-stick skillet heat remaining 1/2 tablespoon oil over moderately high heat until hot brown pork chops about 3 minutes on each side.
• Pour off any excess fat and reduce heat to moderately low. Add reserved syrup and remaining teaspoon vinegar and simmer, covered, 10 minutes, or until meat is just cooked through.
• Transfer pork chops to plates and keep warm. Boil pan juices until thickened, about 15 seconds, and spoon over pork chops. Serve pork chops with peaches.

BRANDIED PEACH PARFAITS

Steps:

• Cut a shallow X in bottom of each peach with a sharp paring knife and blanch in a 3-quart saucepan of boiling water 10 seconds. Transfer peaches with a slotted spoon to a bowl of ice and cold water and let stand until cool enough to handle. Peel peaches, then halve lengthwise and pit. Cut peaches into 1-inch pieces, then toss with lemon juice and 2 tablespoons brandy in a bowl.
• Cook sugar in a dry 9- to 10-inch heavy skillet over moderately low heat, stirring slowly with a fork (to help sugar melt evenly), until melted and pale golden. Cook caramel, without stirring, swirling skillet, until deep golden. Carefully add peach mixture (caramel will harden and steam vigorously) and cook, stirring frequently, until caramel is dissolved and peaches are tender, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally, then stir in remaining tablespoon brandy.
• Spoon 2 tablespoons peach mixture into each glass, then top with a small scoop of ice cream. Repeat with another layer of peaches and ice cream and spoon remaining peaches on top. Serve immediately.

BRANDIED POACHED PEACHES

Steps:

• Bring sugar, orange juice, water, zest, and vanilla bean to a boil in a 4-quart heavy saucepan, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Add peaches, stem ends up. Cover pan and reduce heat, then poach peaches at a bare simmer 8 minutes. Turn peaches over and continue to poach, covered, until tender, 7 to 8 minutes more.
• Transfer peaches with a slotted spoon to a bowl or shallow dish to cool, reserving poaching liquid in saucepan. Lift out vanilla bean pod and scrape seeds into poaching liquid, then boil liquid until reduced to about 1 cup, 10 to 15 minutes. Pour syrup through a sieve into a small bowl or glass measure and cool. Stir in brandy (to taste).
• Peel peaches and serve whole with syrup.

BRANDY BAKED PEACHES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Prepare a baking dish with cooking spray.
• Arrange peaches cut-side up in the prepared baking dish.
• Put butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat, add almonds, and heat together until butter melts, about 2 minutes. Stir honey, brown sugar, and cinnamon into the melted butter; bring to a simmer and add brandy and salt. Stir to dissolve the salt, remove saucepan from heat, and add vanilla extract; pour the mixture over the peaches.
• Bake peaches in preheated oven until the peaches are cooked through, about 30 minutes.