Peaches Galore

There are peaches galore right now. I think it is coming to an end but a few weeks ago they were everywhere. My parent's picked some up in the Niagara region and I wanted to use them in different ways than usual. The usual would be as they are, in some yogurt, or in my oatmeal. After reading some recent posts in some food blogs, I settled on Whole-Wheat Peach Scones and Peach Wine Coolers. That is one advantage to reading a ton of food blogs, often you find recipes to veggies and fruits that are in season. This is especially true if you read blogs from people who live in your region. I particularly like: OhSheGlows, Posts by Doug Di Pasquale and Joy McCarthy on Thatsfit, and Seasonal Ontario Food.

Whole-Wheat Peach Scones from www.danispies.com

These scones are not the sweetest out there, which is why I like them. A nice healthy scone when you have a craving for baked goods. These scones taste best warmed up with a little bit of butter.

2 cups whole-wheat flour
2.5 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup + 1 tbsp of raw sugar (turbinado sugar)
1 1/3 cup milk (I used soy)
1 heaping cup of chopped peaches
1 tbsp melted butter

Makes 6 large scones

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Mix the flour, baking powder, salt, and 1/4 cup of sugar together. Add milk while stirring until it just comes together. This batter is very sticky. Add peaches and mix until just incorporated. I found the dough far to sticky to form into a mound and cut into wedges like the original recipe described, so I just made individual mounds on the greased baking sheet. Brush the scones with melted butter and sprinkle with 1 tbsp of turbinado sugar (this step is optional). Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until lightly browned.

These scones are very versatile. The original recipe was with blueberries. I could see adding just about anything to these scones to make a delicious new variety.

Peach Wine Cooler from www.annie-eats.com

2-3 fresh peaches, peeled and chopped
1 ounce of peach schnapps
small pinch of kosher salt
750 mL bottle of dry white wine
ice for serving
sliced peaches for garnish

Makes 3-4 servings

In a food processor, combine peaches, peach schnapps, salt, and 1 cup of white wine. Puree for about 1 minutes, until frothy. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. To serve, pour over ice in wine glass and top up with white wine.

These coolers where very refreshing on a hot summer evening.

I would like to leave you with some photos I took yesterday. While gardenning, a Monnarch butterfly came around and landed on the marigolds in the garden. I immediate ran upstairs to get my camera. Thankfully, it was still around.

I also snapped some pictures of all the veggies from the garden that I picked today. We are overflowing!!!

Basil, chives, oregano and thai basil from the herb garden.

A cute stunted chili pepper and a normal chili pepper, first of the year.

Freshly picked baby lettuce in a cool water bath.

All picked in one day. Look at all that red!

Well, I am off to enjoy a nice afternoon with my friend Will. I am going to take him to Montfort's in Westdale in Hamilton. They have the best falafels! Then we are off to the Rogers Cup to see ROGER FEDERER play IN PERSON!! I am very excited.