Nectarine And Strawberry Pops Food

NECTARINE AND STRAWBERRY POPS

Steps:

• In a blender, puree strawberries, nectarines, and sugar until smooth. Pressing with a spoon or rubber spatula, pass mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a glass measuring cup (discard solids).
• Pour mixture into eight 3-ounce pop molds. Insert sticks, then freeze until firm, at least 4 hours and up to 1 week.

NECTARINE & STRAWBERRY POTS

Steps:

• Line 4 x 150ml ramekin dishes with cling film. Beat the mascarpone until soft and creamy, then mix in the vanilla extract, orange zest and icing sugar to taste. Fold in 50g/2oz of the almonds.
• In the prepared ramekins, carefully layer up the cheese mixture with the nectarines and strawberries. Level the tops and chill for at least 1hr.
• To make the sauce, put the chocolate, cream and butter in a small pan and stir over a low heat until melted. Don't leave the pan as the chocolate will turn grainy if it gets too hot. Once melted, stir in 2 tbsp of hot (not boiling) water.
• To serve, run round the ramekins with a sharp knife then unmould onto plates. Top with remaining almonds and drizzle with warm chocolate sauce.

NECTARINE-RASPBERRY SLAB PIE

Steps:

• For the dough: Combine the flour, granulated sugar and salt in a food processor and pulse until mixed. Add about one third of the chilled butter and process until thoroughly combined (the mixture will be slightly yellow). Add the remaining chilled butter and pulse until the mixture resembles a very coarse meal with pea-size bits of butter. Add the vinegar in a single pulse. Gradually add the ice water through the feed tube, pulsing just until evenly combined. Squeeze a handful of the dough together, it should just hold its shape and be a little crumbly. If still very powdery, pulse again, adding up to 2 tablespoons ice water.
• Turn the dough out onto a work surface and press it together by hand. Divide the dough in half; wrap each piece in a large piece of plastic wrap, pressing each firmly into a 1/2-inch-thick rectangle. Refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour or up to 2 days.
• Adjust an oven rack to the bottom position of the oven and put a pizza stone or large baking sheet on it. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• For the filling: Toss together the nectarines, brown sugar, lemon juice, cornstarch, vanilla and salt in a large bowl until the cornstarch dissolves. Add the raspberries and gently toss to combine.
• To assemble the pie: Let the dough stand at room temperature for a few minutes until slightly softened to make rolling easier. Place one piece of dough between two large pieces of floured parchment. Roll into a rough 14-by-12 inch rectangle (if the dough gets too soft, pop it in the fridge to firm up, then continue rolling). Repeat rolling with the second piece of dough.
• Pile the nectarine-raspberry filling into the center of one piece of dough and spread evenly, leaving at least a 1-inch border. Dot the filling with the butter.
• With a 1-inch star-shaped cookie cutter, cut out 4 to 5 stars from the second piece of dough (reserve the cut-outs for decorating). To transport the dough to the pie, roll it up onto the rolling pin and then unroll it over the filling, lining up the edges with the bottom piece of dough as best you can. Pinch the edges together, then fold and crimp to create a tight seal. Brush the top and edges of the crust with the egg; decorate the top crust with the star cut-outs and brush them with egg too. Generously sprinkle the pie with granulated sugar. Using the bottom piece of parchment paper, slide the pie onto another rimmed baking sheet (trim the parchment if there's any overhang).
• Put the baking sheet with the pie directly on the preheated pizza stone or baking sheet (this helps make the bottom crust crisp and flaky). Bake the pie until the crust is deep golden brown and the filling is bubbly, 45 to 50 minutes. (If the crust browns too quickly during baking, cover the pie loosely with foil. Some of the filling may bubble from the vents onto the parchment paper; don't fret-just embrace the rustic charm.)
• Let cool. Slice into wedges and serve warm or at room temperature.