Praline Peach Parfaits Food

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.

AMARETTO PEACH PARFAITS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating on high until stiff glossy peaks form and sugar is dissolved. , Drop by heaping tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake at 250° for 32-38 minutes or until firm to the touch. Turn oven off; leave meringues in oven for 1 hour. Remove from the oven and cool on baking sheets., In a large bowl, combine the peaches, sugar and 1 tablespoon Amaretto. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. In another bowl, beat cream cheese and confectioners' sugar until smooth. Beat in cream and remaining Amaretto until thickened., Crumble two-thirds of the cookies; place 2 tablespoons crushed cookies in each of 6 dessert dishes. Layer with half the peaches, Amaretto cream and remaining crushed cookies; repeat layers. Garnish with coconut and/or almonds if desired. Store leftover cookies in an airtight container.

GEORGIA PEACH AND PRALINE PIE

Steps:

• Sprinkle 1 teaspoon flour over pie crust; set aside.
• Add 3 tablespoons flour, sugar, salt, nutmeg, corn syrup and eggs to a mixing bowl; beat at medium speed with an electric mixer for 1 minute.
• Fold in peaches and 1/4 cup melted butter.
• Pour mixture into piecrust.
• Mix together the remaining flour and brown sugar in another bowl.
• Cut in 2 tablespoons butter using a pastry blender, until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs; add chopped pecans and stir.
• Sprinkle crumb mixture evenly over peach filling.
• Bake at 375° for 45-50 minutes or until center of pie is set (cover crust edges with foil after 35 minutes to prevent over browning).

PEACH PRALINE PIE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the peaches, 1/4 cup sugar, tapioca and lemon juice; let stand for 15 minutes. , In a small bowl, combine the flour, nuts and remaining sugar; cut in butter until crumbly. Sprinkle a third of the crumbs into pie shell. Add peach mixture; sprinkle with remaining crumbs. , Bake at 450° for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 350°; bake for 30 minutes or until the peaches are tender and topping is golden brown. Serve with whipped cream or ice cream if desired.

PRALINE PARFAITS

Steps:

• Add first 3 ingredients to a saucepan; bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
• Remove saucepan from the heat; stir in pecans.
• Cool completely.
• Spoon half of the ice cream into 4 parfait dishes.
• Top each with 2 tablespoons sauce.
• Repeat layers; top with whipped cream and serve immediately.

FROZEN BANANA & PRALINE PARFAIT

Steps:

• To make the praline, put the sugar into a heavy-based pan with 3 tbsp water. Place over a low heat until the sugar has dissolved and is clear. Don't stir, or it will crystallise. Increase the heat and bubble to a dark caramel (see video technique), about 5 mins. Remove from the heat, stir through the nuts, then tip onto a lightly greased non-stick baking tray. Spread to level and leave to cool. Be careful as the tray will get very hot.
• When the praline is cold and brittle, break it into pieces. Then, using the end of a rolling pin, smash it up until fairly well crushed. If this is proving hard work, tip into a food processor and pulse until it's the texture of coarse breadcrumbs.
• Line a 1.2-litre loaf tin with a strip of baking parchment (this size tin gives a neat shape, but you can set the parfait in any shaped tin, or individual pudding basins or ramekins). In a bowl, mash the bananas with half the lemon juice until you have a rough purée, then set aside.
• Put the cream into a bowl and whip until it holds its shape but is still a little soft. In another very clean bowl and using a very clean electric whisk, beat the egg whites with a squeeze more lemon juice until stiff. Slowly add the sugar until you have a stiff, shiny meringue.
• Gently fold the whipped cream and meringue together, then add the banana and most of the praline, leaving about 4 tbsp to serve. Spoon into the loaf tin, smooth the top and freeze until firm, preferably overnight.
• To serve, remove the parfait from the freezer 10 mins before serving and leave in the fridge to soften slightly. Meanwhile, slice the bananas on a slant, allowing 3 slices for each serving. Lay the slices on a baking tray set on a wooden board and scatter heavily with the sugar. Use a blowtorch to caramelise the banana, then set aside. Be very careful as the tray will be extremely hot. If you don't have a blowtorch, place the slices into a hot, dry frying pan and sear the sugar-coated sides until caramelised. Lift and flip them over to a tray.
• To plate up, sprinkle a neat line of praline just off-centre on each plate. Arrange the slices of caramelised banana at opposing angles. Unmould the parfait, then use a warmed knife to neaten the sides and cut into finger-thick slices. Lay the slice on the opposite side of the plate to the banana and serve straight away.