Peach Season Has Arrived!

Georgia Peaches: Two Classic Desserts

https://www.newsbreak.com/doc-lawrence-1599273/4701237632232-georgia-pea...

Peaches are in season in Georgia, where The Peach State is more than a motto. Two desserts: Peaches Melba and Georgia Peach Cobbler, are classics that magnify this fruit’s flavors, prompting requests for second helpings. A native of Montezuma, Georgia, Miss Lucy Jenkins was a great country cook, and Jim Sanders, Atlanta restauranteur renouned as the “Father of French Wines” in Georgia, served these great peach desserts to me.

They merit sharing for future generations.

In the Deep South, Peaches are a beloved summer staple. They thrive in Georgia’s warm, humid climate and well-draining soil. Mid-June to August yields the sweetest harvest of perfectly ripened, sun-kissed fruit, making them the ultimate local treat to cool down and celebrate the summer.

Lucy Jenkins Georgia Peach Cobbler

4 cups fresh peaches, peeled and sliced

1/2 cup unsalted butter

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup sugar (plus an extra 1/2 cup for the peaches)

1 tsp baking powder

Dash of sea salt

3/4 cup whole milk

1 tsp ground cinnamon

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 F degrees. Place the cup of butter in a 9”x13” baking dish and let it melt in the oven while it preheats.

In a bowl, toss peach slices with the cup of sugar and cinnamon. Let them sit until they get nice and juicy.

Whisk the flour with the cup of sugar, baking powder, and salt together in a separate bowl. Slowly stir in the milk until the mixture is just combined.

Pour the batter evenly over the melted butter in the baking dish. Spoon the peaches and all their juices gently over the top of the batter. Do not stir it.

Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the top is golden-brown and bubbling. Serve warm, preferably with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Pauillac Peaches Melba

A refreshing, elegant French classic popularized by Jim Sanders (widely known as the Father of French wines in Georgia) in his renowned Atlanta restaurant, Top of Peachtree, featuring sweet peaches served over vanilla ice cream with a bright raspberry sauce.

Ingredients:

4 fresh, ripe Georgia peaches

1 cup fresh raspberries

1/3 cup powdered sugar

1 tsp lemon juice

1 quart high-quality vanilla ice cream

1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted

Bring a pot of water to a boil. Plunge the peaches into the boiling water for about 30 seconds, then transfer them to an ice water bath. The skins should slip right off. Slice them in half and remove the pits. In a blender, combine the fresh raspberries, powdered sugar, and lemon juice. Blend until smooth, then strain through a fine mesh sieve to remove any seeds.

Place two scoops of vanilla ice cream into individual dessert bowls. Lay two peach halves on top of the ice cream.

Drizzle the vibrant raspberry sauce generously over the peaches and ice cream. Sprinkle with toasted almonds and serve immediately.