Grilled Peach Shortcake

Fredericksburg, Texas is know for its amazing peaches.    Here in Austin, there are peach stands on almost every corner and they are so delicious.After grabbing a bagful, I made this summer dessert that we can't get enough of!

Grilled Peach Shortcake

Shortcake Ingredients:

• 2 C flour
• 1/2 C sugar
• 1 T baking powder
• 1 t sea salt
• 1/3 C butter, chilled and cubed
• 1/2 C milk
• 1 vanilla bean

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment or silpat.   In a food processor, combine the dry ingredients.   Add the cold butter and blend until the mixture resembles corn meal.   Add the milk and the seeds from 1/2 of the vanilla bean.   Drop by rounded scoop onto silpat and bake for about 15 minutes.   As an option, you can brush the tops with a bit of cream for a glossy affect.

Peach Ingredients:

• 8-10 peaches
• baking spray
• heavy whipping cream
• 1/4 C confectioners sugar
• vanilla bean

Preheat your grill to medium and make sure the grates are really clean and free of the previously grilled food.   Cut the peaches in half and remove the pit.   Spray the cut side with a light coating of baking spray and transfer onto the grill for about 5 minutes.   In the mean time, whip the heavy cream with the confectioners sugar and remaining vanilla bean seeds, until stiff peaks are formed.

Remove the peaches from the grill.   The skins may fall or sluff off easily, then cut into slices and put into a large bowl.   You can add a bit of sugar to the sliced peaches to bring out the juices if you want.   To assemble, cut a shortcake open, add your grilled peach slices and juice, top with the whipped cream and up the top of the shortcake on.   Makes about 10 - 12 shortcakes!

Sweet Popovers with Peaches

I love traditional pop-overs and my friend and guest Chef Gary Miller added to my love with his bread pudding rendition.   Here is a sweeter version that becomes the perfect vehicle for fresh peaches dusted with powder sugar.   Makes for a great weekend breakfast!

Sweet Popovers with Fresh Peaches

Ingredients:

• 3 large eggs at room temperature
• 1 T brown sugar
• 1 t orange zest
• 1 1/4 C whole milk
• 4 T butter, melted
• 1 1/4 C all purpose flour
• 1/2 t baking powder
• 1/2 t salt

Directions:   Preheat your oven to 425 degrees. In a large bowl whisk the eggs with the sugar and orange zest. Add the milk and 3 T of melted butter. In a smaller bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt.   Mix the dry ingredients with the wet until only small lumps remain.

Brush the inside of a 12 cup muffin or popover tin with the remaining melted butter and place into the preheated oven for about 5 minutes until the butter browns slightly but does not burn. Carefully ladle the batter into each cup, filling about 1/2 full. Bake the popovers for 30 minutes or until they have risen and browned. I pull mine open and top with fresh sliced peaches and dust with powder sugar. Strawberries, raspberries or any other kind of fruit would work just as well.