Take super fresh, in season peaches and toss them with some sugar, bake with some topping and serve. It really is that easy, and it requires just a few minutes of active work to create an amazing dessert that highlights the best of this end of summer fruit.
Serves: 8 to 12 portions
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Ingredients
For the peaches:
- 8 ripe peaches, halved, stoned and cut into wedges
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 40g / 1/4 cup dark brown sugar
- zest and juice of 1 orange
- 2.5 cm fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated
- 125ml / 1/2 cup water
For the cobbler topping:
- 100g / 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 50g / 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2g / 1 tsp baking powder
- 2g / 1 tsp nutmeg
- 50g caster sugar
- 100g / 1/2 cup Mirage Margarine, chilled
- good-quality vanilla ice cream, to serve
Directions
1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a bowl or a deep earthenware baking dish, approximately 30 cm by 8 cm, toss your peaches gently with the vanilla extract, brown sugar, grated ginger, orange zest and juice.
3. Put the dish into the oven and immediately turn the temperature down to 375°F (190°C).
4. Cook for about 10 to 15 minutes, until the peaches have softened slightly, you may need more time if the fruit is still quite firm.
5. In a bowl combine the flour, nutmeg and sugar together.
6. Toss the margarine into the bowl and begin gently mixing with a wooden spoon, breaking apart the margarine into fine crumbs.
7. Now add 2 tablespoons of cold water and stir just until everything comes together, set this aside covered, until the fruit is ready.
8. Remove your dish of peaches from the oven and pour in half a cup of water. Gently mix the water into the fruit.
9. Using a large spoon or your fingers, distribute the batter on top of the peaches.
10. Return the dish to the oven for around 20 minutes, until the batter has turned a deep golden brown.
11. Remove from the oven and allow it to rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving as it is extremely hot.
12. Serve warm in bowls, topped off with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Chef Notes
- When looking for peaches, look for firm ones without any bruises. They should be bright reddish-orange on one half and a light yellow-orange on the other. You will also most likely smell the sweet scent of a perfect peach before you see it.
