Manouri Cheesecake With Wine Poached Peaches And Phyllo Cigars Food

WINE POACHED PEACHES WITH ICE CREAM

Steps:

• Combine the wine, sugar, cinnamon stick, cloves, peppercorns, and lemon rind in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, stir to dissolve the sugar, and reduce heat to a bubble.
• Bring the poaching liquid to a boil and cook on high heat until reduced to a syrupy texture. Add the peaches and poach the fruit, spooning the syrup over them occasionally, until you can pierce the peach easily with a knife, about 5 minutes.
• Put the peach halves in 2 dessert bowls. Top with ice cream, whipped cream, and drizzle with the poaching syrup. Grate a little nutmeg over the top.

PEACHES IN RED WINE

Steps:

• Peel the peaches--to do it easily, boil them for about 10 seconds, then peel off the skin.
• Slice them.
• Put the peeled, sliced peaches in a bowl, add about half a bottle of red wine to cover.
• The type of wine isn't so important, but it has to be decent and drinkable.
• I used a 3 dollar bottle of Cotes du Rhone yesterday.
• Pour in the sugar and stir.
• Must sit for 6 hours in the fridge, minimum.
• Serve in pretty glasses or dishes.
• If you feel you need something else to go with it, try some kind of crunchy cookie or macaroon.

FIGS IN MAVRODAPHNE WINE WITH MANOURI CHEESE

Steps:

• Place the figs in a wide saucepan and cover with hot water.
• Soak them for 1 hour.
• Pour in the Mavrodaphne wine and the spices.
• Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for about 30 minutes, until the figs are very plump and tender.
• Remove the fruit with a slotted spoon, and strain the poaching liquid, discarding the spices and any seeds that may have leaked out from the figs.
• Return the poaching liquid to the pot, add honey, and boil until reduced and thick and the consistency of syrup, about 5-7 minutes.
• Slice the manouri cheese into 1/2-inch rounds, carefully so as to keep the pieces intact.
• Place the cheese slices in one overlapping row on a large platter.
• Place the poached figs evenly over them and pour over the syrup.
• Serve immediately, garnish with mint and a discreet pinch of ground cinnamon, if desired.