At the end of August, summer has one last treat instal before Autumn and that is English peaches! This year has been exceptional – the long hot summer allowed the peaches to ripen and their flavour mature. Here is one of my favourite recipes – baked peaches! Simple, quick and utterly delicious.
We used peaches from the garden and butter from our local farm shop.
INGREDIENTS (DEPENDING ON PORTION SIZE, SERVES 3-6):
- 3 ripe large peaches
- 60ml Armagnac
- 1/2 vanilla pod
- 1tbsp caster sugar
- 20g butter (melted)
METHOD:
- preheat the oven to 190°C/Gas 5/374°F and on the hob, heat up a griddle-pan
- slice each peach in half (try to keep it as neat as possible) and remove the stone
- lightly brush the cut side with warm melted butter
- carefully place the peach halves cut side down on the griddle. Cook for 3-4 minutes, until slightly chard
- place the grilled peaches in a shallow oven-proof dish, cut side up
- slice the vanilla pod down the centre and with a knife carefully remove the vanilla seeds and mix into the sugar
- sprinkle the vanilla sugar over the peaches and pour over half of the Armagnac
- bake in the oven for approximately 15 minutes or until the peaches are soft
- pour over the remaining Armagnac
- serve either warm or cold with creme fraiche or vanilla ice cream
