I’m a dog person. Always have been, always will be. I’ve never known a dog person who’s also a cat person, and vice-versa. You are either one or the other. End of story. I’ve always wondered if the same applies to fruit. In particular, peaches and nectarines. Are you either a peach person or a nectarine person? Does the same intense camaraderie and worship exist for each side? I’m a nectarine person. When summer rolls around, nectarines make it into the kitchen often, but their fraternal siblings stay away. Well, because I keep them away. My main issue lies with the silly fur coat they like to wear. I’m not a fan of furry coats on fruit – except for kiwi, since we take theirs off.
But this year – this year I’m feeling adventurous. While strolling through the market, minding my own business, I see gorgeous, gigantic peaches, and though still skeptical, decide to pick one up, and immediately knew it was something special. Firm and only faintly mealy with the sweetest smell of summer. The time had come to give them a second chance. I was excited. And for good reason.
My first bite was crunchy, sweet and bursting with aroma. All the years I had shunned this poor fruit. I couldn’t eat it fast enough. Then fate stepped in. As I was flipping through the new issue of Gourmet, distracted by the chomping of my renewed love, a recipe stopped me in my tracks. The chomping stopped, I quickly skimmed it, already knowing it was meant for me. And for my peaches. With only 4 ingredients and less than 5 minutes of cooking time, this was my type of dessert. The warm peach, barely caramelized at the edges, next to the fluffy, gooey-ness of the meringue is heavenly. The meringue reminds of the inside of a perfectly roasted s’more. Except better. A summer dessert that tastes guiltier than it actually is while showcasing the splendor of the peach. I love surprising myself – I’m a peach person after all (at least this year).
Peaches and Meringue
Tweaked from Gourmet, August 2009
Watch the meringue very, very, very carefully (I can’t emphasize this enough) once it goes in the oven. A few seconds too long and it will become a black, burnt mess. The original recipe called for crushed sesame candy or amaretti, but I usually don’t have either lying around the house, so the graham crackers worked perfectly. Also, please note the egg white in this recipe is not fully cooked.
Music Pairing: Peach, Prince
Ingredients
- 2 large ripe peaches, halved and pitted
- 3 tbsp plus 1 teaspoon sugar, divided
- 1 large egg white, at room temperature
- 2 tbsp finely chopped graham crackers
Method
Preheat broiler. Put peaches, cut side up, on a baking sheet and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon sugar on each half. Broil 4 to 5 inches from heat until tops begin to brown, 2 to 4 minutes.
Beat egg white with a pinch of salt in a deep bowl using an electric mixer at medium-high speed until foamy. Gradually add remaining 3 tablespoon sugar, beating until white holds stiff, glossy peaks. Fold in graham crackers.
Place a dollop of meringue on each peach half and broil 10-15 seconds. Turn off broiler and leave peaches in oven just until tips of meringue are browned, 20-30 seconds (watch carefully).
So we are dog and peach…or maybe cat and nectarine? or maybe what ever is right here at the moment? We always love your posts. You write so well…and never fail to put a smile on our face…best from Montecito, California. S
oh, that makes me so happy….i love being able to put a smile on your face! :)
wow really beautiful captivating photos! That peach looks so juicy and sweet
I am a dog person…and a peach person. Nectarines, it seems (at least here in Texas) are forever hard as rocks and lack that intoxicating, sweet smell and flavor. Maybe because the ones I can find are all cold storage. Yuck.
This sounds WONDERFUL! I need to get some peaches and I’m in business!
wow…love your blog and all the pictures. All your pictures are so well taken with all beautiful colors. My family and I are the peach lover and I will definitely try this recipe of yours to give them for dessert for this weekend. Thanks for sharing and keep up the good work!!!
Thanks for sharing this recipe! I was looking at the large peach sitting on my counter and was wondering what I would do with it apart from eating as is. The recipe seems easy enough. Can’t wait to make it for my tea time! :)
Love this post — especially as a fellow nectarine/dog lover! :)
For what it’s worth, I used to be pro-peaches, until I read that (when not organically grown) they can actually have the highest pesticide count of any other fruit. Eeks. Apparently that fun fur hangs on to the good and bad it comes into contact with. Who would’ve thought?
Like you, however, I’m a huge fan of finding them at our local market! When you find the perfect peachy, mmmm…heavenly. :) Or wait…peachy!
we must have read the same article – and i remember something about strawberries also being prone to high pesticide count. yikes!
Great post! As another dog lover, I am often torn between nectarines and peaches as well, so I’m glad to see I’m not alone. Peaches remind me of childhood so they are very tempting every summer. Recipe looks fantastic!
I saw this recipe in Gourmet and thought it looked delicious. It’s so great to know that you tried it and found it tasty. More reason for me to make it now!
Stunning photos, as usual! This dessert in Gourmet was the inspiration for the strawberry and meringue dessert that I made and posted recently. The meringue really adds something special, doesn’t it?
it sure does! who knew a little whipped egg white could produce such a treat?
This sounds amazing. And the pictures are absolutely beautiful…
That peach meringue looks so temptingly good! Wow. I’m a dog person learning to appreciate cats. I never grew up with them, as my dad is a canine man, and then I discovered that I am allergic to said felines, ah well, we were not destined to be together,
i’ve learned to appreciate cats too….moreso when they’re kittens. ;)
Gorgeous pictures! Count us in as one of the exceptions … have dog, have cats. My son is petitioning for another dog but I am certain that will drive me straight to the funny farm.
Peach desserts must be the latest fever to catch! I recently did a roasted peach with almond flavored cream cheese whipped cream and a sesame cookie-check it out if you have time at laptopsandstovetops.blogspot.com.
I tried making a meringue in high school and it was such a failure that I’ve shied away from it since. Your desserts are quite picture perfect :D
Your photos are incredible! I too recently became a fan of the furry fruit – the peaches out in California transformed me. And yes, dogs or cats, there’s no inbetween. I am 100% a dog person, and have recently turned my husband into one as well.
Gorgeous photos. This looks delicious!
Beautiful! Your photography is gorgeous and the peach with meringue makes my mouth water!
I’m a cat person…and a peach person…and I love this post! :)
I love dogs and cats, peaches and nectarines. Don’t make me choose! :-)
That looks heavenly as well as juicy. Something to round up the meal.
Well done. This looks really yummy…Tien
I am a dog person. and I love both peaches and nectarines! Great recipe and wonderful shots!
okay…this is a must try!
simplicity at its best eh?:P
I have two cats but I do love dogs. Unfortunately I do not want to take care of a dog, so I’m guessing that makes me a cat person:) Now when it comes to peaches and nectarines I have certain rules I follow. I only like white nectarines and prefer white peaches over yellow peaches but will eat both. Not that that is said can I tell you how wonderful your dessert sounds and looks! I’m a fan of simple desserts. Especially when they showcase such a lovely thing such as peaches:)
Wonderful recipe and pictures as always. I guess with two dogs AND two cats that I really love and that get along among each other, I’m an animal-person ;-)
What a yummie & delicious looking dessert!
I am definitely a dog person, but sometimes it is hard to choose between peaches and nectarines. This dessert as absolutely fabulous and I am going to try it!
vat a great dish!! so simple and perfectly done!! a must try :)
cheers!!
Are you in holiday kms? I hope you are doing well and wait for a new post. regards…
You’ve got beautiful photographs here. Great job!
Utterly delicious! Both the fabulous peaches recipe and the beautiful photographs. Stunning!
I found some great, softening peaches on Wednesday. Yesterday, I tried this recipe again (with graham crackers I also found) and it came out perfectly. Juicy, sweet and perfectly melded with the meringue. Thanks again for this, kms.
what a gorgeous blog! I am so glad you commented, the photos are fabulous. Congrats on your wedding, Sean is quite talented!
This looks so beautiful. I love it when a recipe is simple and doesn’t call for too many ingredients, but manages to create something awesome like this. Great pictures too.
Hi! My husband and I LOVE your photography, such a lovely blog. We also like dogs AND cats, nectarines AND peaches so there now you know someone lol :)
These look heavenly! I have a Peach & Cream Makeover challenge going on right now – would you like to submit this for the event – http://fivestarfoodie.blogspot.com/2009/09/peaches-and-cream-5-star-makover.html
[…] Peaches and meringue from Kiss my spatula […]