Peach Melba Slice Food

PEACH MELBA

Steps:

• Put the water, sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla pod into a wide saucepan and heat gently to dissolve the sugar. Bring the pan to the boil and let it bubble away for about 5 minutes, then turn the heat down to a fast simmer.
• Cut the peaches in half, and if the stones come out easily then remove them, if not then you can get them out later. Poach the peach halves in the sugar syrup for about 2 to 3 minutes on each side depending on the ripeness of the fruit. Test the cut side with the sharp point of a knife to see if they are soft, and then remove them to a plate with a slotted spoon.
• When all the peaches are poached, peel off their skins and let them cool (then you can remove any remaining stones). If you are making them a day in advance then let the poaching syrup cool and then pour into a dish with the peaches. Otherwise just bag up the syrup and freeze it for the next time you poach peaches.
• To make the raspberry sauce, liquidize the raspberries, confectioners' sugar, and lemon juice in a blender or a food processor. Sieve to remove the pits and pour the puree into a jug.
• To assemble the Peach Melba, allow 2 peach halves per person and sit them on each plate alongside a scoop or 2 of ice cream. Spoon the raspberry sauce over each.

PEACH MELBA PIE WITH BUTTERMILK CARAMEL

Steps:

• For the crust: Pulse the flour, sugar and kosher salt in a food processor to combine. Scatter in the butter pieces and pulse until the butter is the size of small peas. Sprinkle with the vinegar and 5 tablespoons of the water. Pulse until the dough just begins to come together. (If the dough is still floury and crumbly, add the last tablespoon of water and pulse again.) Dump the dough on the counter and press into a disc with your hands. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• For the filling: Melt the butter in a 10-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Once the butter is melted, add the preserves and stir until smooth, then simmer until syrupy, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat and stir in the sugar, brandy, lemon juice, ginger and nutmeg. Add the peaches and raspberries, then sprinkle with the cornstarch and toss to coat the fruit in the cornstarch.
• Roll the dough on a floured counter to a circle about an inch or so wider than the top of the skillet. Trim the dough to clean up the edges, then lay the dough over the top of the skillet, tucking the edges inside. Cut 3 small slits in the top of the dough to let steam escape. Brush the dough with the beaten egg and sprinkle with sugar.
• Place the skillet on the lined baking sheet to catch any drips. Bake until the filling is bubbling and the crust is crisp and deep golden brown, 45 to 50 minutes. Let cool at least 30 minutes before serving.
• For the sauce: Put the caramel sauce in a small saucepan and heat over medium-low heat until it starts to simmer, then whisk in the buttermilk and flaky salt. Return to a simmer and simmer until smooth, about 1 minute. Let cool before serving.
• To serve, scoop the pie into serving dishes and drizzle with the sauce. Sprinkle with additional flaky salt, if desired.

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.

PEACH MELBA SQUARES

Steps:

• Butter and line a traybake or small roasting tin, about 20 x 30cm. Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Gently melt the butter in a large saucepan, cool for 5 mins, add the sugar, vanilla and eggs, then beat until smooth with a wooden spoon. Stir in the flour, almonds and ¼ tsp salt.
• Tip the mix into the tin, then lay the peach slices evenly on top - that way each square of cake will have a bite of fruit. Scatter the raspberries and almonds over, then bake for 1 hr-1 hr 10 mins, covering with foil after 40 mins. Test with a skewer: the middle should have just a tiny hint of squidginess, which will firm up once the cake cools. Cool in the tin for 20 mins, then lift out onto a cooling rack. Once cold, dredge with icing sugar, then cut into squares.

PEACH MELBA SPLIT

Steps:

• Toss the raspberries and raspberry jam in a medium bowl and let stand 20 minutes at room temperature.
• Slice or quarter the peaches, depending on their size, divide among 4 dessert bowls and sprinkle the sugar over the tops. Let sit until they get a little juicy, about 15 minutes, turning them over once or twice.
• To serve, put one scoop of frozen yogurt on top of the peaches. Spoon some raspberries over each scoop. Top each with 1 tablespoon of crushed cookies. Serve immediately.

PEACH MELBA SLICE

Steps:

• Mixed crushed biscuits with coconut and spread over the base of a shallow casserole dish; reserve 1/2 cup crumb mixture and set aside.
• Drain peach slices and arrange peaches in rows over the surface of the crumb mixture.
• Pour peach syrup into a saucepan, add wine, raspberry jam and orange rind and heat slowly until boiling.
• Blend orange juice with arrowroot, add to boiling liquid and stir until thickened; spoon carefully over peaches.
• Melt butter, add reserved crumb mixture and cinnamon and sprinkle over the top of the peaches and sauce.
• Bake in a moderate oven for 12-15 minutes.
• Serve with ice-cream or whipped cream.

PEACH MELBA PIE

Steps:

• Combine both flours, the butter and a pinch of salt in the bowl of a food processor and blitz to a fine crumb. Add cold water 1 tbsp at a time (4-5 tbsp), pulsing until the mix starts to cling together. Tip out and knead with your hands (add more water if required) to make a pliable pastry dough. Split in half and flatten each portion. Wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hr.
• Remove a disc of pastry from the fridge, unwrap and, on a generously floured surface, roll it out to a large, circle, wider than the pie dish. Transfer to a floured baking sheet and chill for about 10 mins. Repeat with the remaining disc.
• Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Stone and quarter the peaches. Cut each in two, and toss in a bowl with the lemon juice, cornflour, vanilla extract, sugar, honey and raspberries. Add the butter in small pieces.
• Using a floured rolling pin, drape one of the pastry sheets across a 24cm pie dish. Let it sink in and, holding the edges, lift and tuck into the corners. Prick the pastry all over and fill with the peach mixture.
• Drape the second pastry sheet over the filling. Press together the top and bottom crusts, crimping with your fingers to seal, and trim off any excess. Cut three 8cm slits across the top crust, brush with the beaten egg and sprinkle over the demerara sugar. Bake for 55 mins to 1 hr until the crust is deeply golden and the filling is bubbling out. Cool for about 10 mins before serving with cream or vanilla ice cream.

PEACH MELBA CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Line the base and sides of a 20cm loose-bottomed or springform tin with baking parchment - use smudges of butter to help the paper stay in place around the sides. Put the biscuits in a plastic food bag and crush to crumbs using a rolling pin, then mix thoroughly with the melted butter. Tip into the prepared tin and press down firmly to create an even base. Chill while you prepare the filling.
• Put the soft cheese, icing sugar and vanilla in a bowl, then beat with an electric mixer until smooth. Tip in the cream and continue beating until mixture is combined. Scatter over 100g of the raspberries and half of the peach chunks. Using a spatula, fold in with just a few folds - as you assemble the cheesecake they'll ripple through more.
• Spoon the cream mixture onto the biscuit base, working from the edges inwards. Smooth the top of the cheesecake down with the back of a dessertspoon or spatula. Leave to set in the fridge overnight.
• In a food processor, blitz 250g of the remaining raspberries, sieve, stir back in 1 tsp of the seeds, if you like, and sweeten to taste with icing sugar. Add enough water or canned peach juice to make it saucy and chill until serving.
• Bring the cheesecake to room temperature about 30 mins before serving. If using a loose-bottomed tin, unmould by placing on top of a can, then gradually pull down the sides of the tin. Slip the cheesecake onto a serving plate, removing the lining paper and base. Scatter the remaining raspberries and peach chunks over the cheesecake, dribble over some of the sauce and serve the rest alongside.

PEACH MELBA POTS

Steps:

• Put the mascarpone, yogurt, sugar, ground cloves and vanilla extract in a large bowl. Using a balloon whisk, beat until smooth. Pour in the cream and whisk again until the mixture just holds its shape - you want it to be soft and pillowy, so be careful not to take it too far.
• Put a little jam in the bottom of 6 small glasses or pots, top with some of the cream mixture, then 4 peach slices and more jam. Follow this with another layer of the cream, a drizzle of jam and finally the raspberries. Can be chilled for up to 5 hrs. Scatter over the hazelnuts and serve with biscotti or amaretti biscuits on the side.

CHEF JOHN'S PEACH MELBA

Steps:

• Combine raspberries, 1/3 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, water, and balsamic vinegar in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer and cook until sugar dissolves and berries collapse, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat and strain into a bowl. Cool to room temperature, cover and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled.
• Combine 2 cups sugar, 2 cups water, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, and split vanilla bean in a large saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
• Place peach halves with cut sides up in the syrup and simmer until tender, 5 to 8 minutes per side, basting with the syrup occasionally. Remove from heat and allow to cool in the syrup. Transfer to a bowl, cover, and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, about 4 hours.
• Remove peach skins and serve each peach half on top of a scoop of ice cream in a bowl. Spoon the raspberry sauce over the top. Garnish with toasted, slivered almonds.

PEACH MELBA TRIFLE

Steps:

• Put the amarettis into a glass bowl and pour over the orange juice. Slice the peaches or nectarines and save a few good slices. Add the rest to the bowl and mix lightly. Drizzle over a little raspberry coulis, followed by the custard.
• Whip the cream until it just holds its shape then spoon over the trifle. Top with the reserved peach slices and drizzle with a little more raspberry coulis. Chill for up to 2 hours, until ready to serve.