Grilled Peaches with Mascarpone, Pistachios & Balsamic Glaze
Peaches off the grill are a true summer delight—we particularly love this salty, sticky-sweet topping.
Ingredients
4 large ripe (but not overly soft) peaches, halved and pits removed
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
4 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons melted butter
2 ounces mascarpone or cream cheese
¼ cup powdered sugar
¼ teaspoon vanilla
2-3 teaspoons grapeseed oil (or other neutral tasting oil)
Handful of pistachios, lightly crushed
Method:
1. In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar, sugar and melted butter. Set aside. In another small bowl, combine mascarpone (or cream) cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla and beat with a hand mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Set aside.
2. Preheat grill over medium low heat. Gently brush each peach half with oil and place it flesh side down on the grill. Cook for 2-3 minutes. Use tongs to carefully rotate peaches a quarter turn and cook for another 1-2 minutes until the peaches are slightly softened and have grill marks. Remove and cool slightly.
3. When ready to serve, drizzle balsamic mixture over peaches and spoon a small scoop of cheese mixture into the hollow of each peach. Sprinkle with crushed pistachios.
Variations: Once you master the art of grilling peaches, the sky’s the limit! They are also wonderful topped with vanilla ice cream or Greek yogurt and a drizzle of honey.
Grilled Peach Salad with Marcona Almonds
With peppery arugula and a red wine vinaigrette, this salad would also be incredible tossed with smoked chicken.
Ingredients:
3-4 peaches, pitted and quartered
¼ cup plus 1 tablespoon olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
¼ cup red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon honey
½ cup Marcona almonds
3 cups loosely-packed arugula
1 cup crumbled Westward blue cheese
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Preheat the grill to medium heat.
2. Add the peaches to a large bowl, drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil and toss to coat. Grill for about 2-3 minutes, flesh side down, until peaches are slightly softened and have grill marks.
3. Meanwhile, make the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the garlic, vinegar, mustard, honey and remaining ¼ cup olive oil. Season with salt and pepper, as desired.
4. Gently toss the warm peaches in the dressing. Serve over a bed of arugula and sprinkle almonds and blue cheese over the top.
Summer Grilling Recipes
This week’s array of local summer treasures invites you to bust out the barbecue and get to grilling! Highlighted by bright, colorful produce such as yellow zucchini, cucumbers, peaches, French melon, Walla Walla sweet onions and a plethora of sun-ripened tomatoes, plus pillowy focaccia bread, fragrant herbs and edible flowers, this box is fit for lingering on the patio. Plus, there’s even a mini bouquet of fresh seasonal flowers to help set your table, too. Enjoy!
Here are a few recipe ideas for the week:
Grilled Summer Vegetable Focaccia Sandwich
This satisfying sammie is extremely adaptable: Tuck in some grilled chicken, add a little spicy salami or throw in even more veggies.
Lemon-Herb Mayonnaise
In addition to a sandwich spread, this zingy mayo is also fantastic on grilled corn (trust us!).
Grilled Heirloom Tomato Vinaigrette
In addition to salad greens, this bright and robust dressing is wonderful tossed with pasta salad, or drizzled over steamed or grilled artichokes.
Heirloom Tomato & Grilled Focaccia Bread Salad
The beauty of this summery salad is in its simplicity: Be sure to use good-quality olive oil and season generously!
Marinated Cucumber Salad
Super simple and healthy, this salad is perfect for casual summer feasting.
Grilled Peaches with Mascarpone, Pistachios & Balsamic Glaze
Peaches off the grill are a true summer delight—we particularly love this salty, sticky-sweet topping.
Taco Night Recipes
Spice things up with this week’s taco-themed box, which comes complete with locally-made, hand-pressed tortillas, smoky chorizo sausage from Skagit River Ranch and a bounty of summer produce to serve alongside, from crisp cabbage and jalapeño pepper to heirloom cherry tomatoes, spicy salad greens and Costata Romanesco zucchini. Also included: Freshly-baked multigrain bread, a crisp French Rosé wine and ripe, juicy Okanogan yellow peaches. Enjoy!
Here are a few recipe ideas for the week:
Cabbage-Lime Slaw
This simple, flavorful slaw is wonderful piled on top of tacos!
Heirloom Cherry Tomato Salsa with Fresh Herbs
A pico de gallo-style salsa bright in flavor and combined with spring onions and mint.
Marinated Cucumber Salad
Super simple and healthy, this salad is perfect for casual summer feasting.
Zucchini Ribbons with Lemon & Basil
This incredibly fresh side from Alice Waters’ Art of Simple Food II is seasoned with just the right amount of fragrant basil and zesty lemon.
Grilled Radicchio with Olive Oil & Sea Salt
These radicchio wedges are wonderful served alongside a grilled entrée.
Grilled Peaches with Almond Whipped Cream
Drizzled with honey and topped with toasted almonds, these peaches are simply stunning for dessert.
