As summer reaches its peak, it’s the perfect time to savor the vibrant flavors of peaches and blackberries. These juicy fruits not only make for refreshing snacks but also star in a variety of delicious dishes. Whether you’re craving a light dessert or a savory main course, here are three peach recipes and two blackberry recipes that will delight your taste buds:
1. Grilled Peach Salad with Goat Cheese and Honey Balsamic Dressing
Ingredients:
– 2 ripe peaches, halved and pitted
– 4 cups mixed salad greens
– 1/4 cup crumbled goat cheese
– 1/4 cup chopped pecans, toasted
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
– 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
– 1 teaspoon honey
– Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
2. Brush peach halves with olive oil and grill for 3-4 minutes per side, until grill marks appear and peaches are slightly softened.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
4. Arrange salad greens on a serving platter. Top with grilled peach halves, crumbled goat cheese, and toasted pecans.
5. Drizzle with the honey balsamic dressing.
6. Serve immediately and enjoy this elegant and flavorful salad!
2. Peach Salsa
Ingredients:
– 2 ripe peaches, peeled and diced
– 1/2 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
– 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
– 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
– 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely chopped
– Juice of 1 lime
– Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. In a medium bowl, combine diced peaches, black beans, red onion, cilantro, and jalapeño pepper.
2. Squeeze lime juice over the mixture and toss gently to combine.
3. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
5. Serve peach salsa with tortilla chips or as a topping for grilled chicken or fish. It’s a vibrant and tangy addition to any summer meal!
3. Balsamic Peach Chicken
Ingredients:
– 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
– Salt and pepper, to taste
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
– 2 tablespoons butter
– 2 ripe peaches, peeled, pitted, and sliced
– 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
– 2 tablespoons honey
– 1/2 cup chicken broth
– 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme)
– Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions:
1. Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium-high heat.
3. Add chicken breasts to the skillet and cook for about 5-6 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
4. In the same skillet, add sliced peaches and cook for about 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until peaches start to caramelize slightly.
5. Stir in balsamic vinegar and honey, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
6. Add chicken broth and thyme to the skillet, stirring to combine.
7. Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, spooning some of the peach balsamic sauce over the chicken.
8. Simmer for another 2-3 minutes, or until the sauce has slightly thickened and the chicken is heated through.
9. Remove from heat and garnish with chopped fresh parsley.
10. Serve the Balsamic Peach Chicken hot, spooning the remaining sauce and caramelized peaches over the chicken.
11. Enjoy this unique and flavorful dish with rice, quinoa, or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce!
4. Blackberry Lemonade
Ingredients:
– 1 cup fresh blackberries
– 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 4-5 lemons)
– 1/2 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
– 4 cups cold water
– Ice cubes
– Fresh mint leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
1. In a blender, puree the blackberries until smooth.
2. Strain the blackberry puree through a fine mesh sieve into a pitcher to remove seeds.
3. Add freshly squeezed lemon juice and granulated sugar to the pitcher. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
4. Add cold water and stir to combine.
5. Chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
6. Serve over ice cubes, garnished with fresh mint leaves if desired. It’s a refreshing and fruity twist on classic lemonade, perfect for hot summer days!
5. Blackberry Galette
Ingredients:
– 1 sheet of pie crust
– 2 cups fresh blackberries
– 1/4 cup granulated sugar
– 1 tablespoon cornstarch
– Zest of 1 lemon
– 1 tablespoon lemon juice
– 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
– 1 tablespoon coarse sugar (optional, for sprinkling)
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, gently toss together blackberries, granulated sugar, cornstarch, lemon zest, and lemon juice until well combined.
3. Roll out the pie crust on the prepared baking sheet.
4. Spoon the blackberry mixture onto the center of the pie crust, leaving about 2 inches around the edges.
5. Fold the edges of the pie crust over the filling, pleating as necessary.
6. Brush the edges of the crust with beaten egg and sprinkle with coarse sugar, if desired.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
8. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving.
9. Serve warm or at room temperature. This rustic blackberry galette is a simple yet impressive dessert that highlights the natural sweetness of blackberries.
Bonus Recipe: Peach and Blackberry Crisp
Ingredients:
For the Filling:
– 4 cups sliced peaches (about 4-5 peaches)
– 2 cups fresh blackberries
– 1/4 cup granulated sugar
– 1 tablespoon cornstarch
– 1 tablespoon lemon juice
– 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Topping:
– 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
– 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
– 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
– 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
– 1/4 teaspoon salt
– 1/2 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small pieces
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×9 inch baking dish.
2. In a large bowl, combine sliced peaches, blackberries, granulated sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Toss gently until fruit is coated evenly. Transfer the fruit mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.
3. In another bowl, combine rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Mix well.
4. Add chilled butter pieces to the oat mixture. Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to work the butter into the dry ingredients until it resembles coarse crumbs.
5. Sprinkle the oat topping evenly over the fruit mixture in the baking dish.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the fruit filling is bubbling around the edges.
7. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving.
8. Serve warm, optionally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
These peach and blackberry recipes are sure to add a burst of flavor and color to your summer gatherings. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or simply enjoying a quiet afternoon, these dishes are perfect for celebrating the season’s bounty. Try them out and let these fruity delights brighten your day!