Thursday, 21 July 2016

Peachy Puffs- A Summer Favorite!!

Grab your aviators and wayfarers, summer has arrived –Baby!

So the temperature today was an astounding sunny 24 deg Celsius. Being the weather-obsessed nation we are, elevator conversations have been dictated by running commentary of humidity forecasts and seemingly the whole world is sweating it over MET updates(lol pun intended)!! Chivalry pervades as notes on ‘How to avoid hot flushes’ were exchanged and URLS to ‘Finding the last min bargain deal for the lifesaving-all-important –ceiling fans’ were disclosed.

Not bogged down by sleepless nights, I smothered gigantic proportions of SPF 50,put on my fine summer cottons and I have been dreaming up an epic summer dream!!

Strawberries and cream, Zingy Mango Sorbet, Minty Iced Teas and the ever so refreshing Frappuccino- When it comes to summer, I certainly have a 'Food Bucket List' and Peachy Puffs tops it for sure! With toasted almonds on top and crunchy puff pastry that just snaps as you tuck into it, along with some chilled crème fraiche , It is music to my summer loving (gluttonous) ears.

Here goes, A no-fuss dessert recipe that’s fabulously easy and It beautifully captures the spirit of summer, the zingy fruit and rich pastry is just the sort of indulgence to celebrate the rapidly passing sultry weather!

Serves: 4

Ingredients

320g Ready Rolled Pastry

6 Peaches

½ tsp of Almond Extract

½ tsp Vanilla Extract /Vanilla Pod

120 gms butter (I used unsalted)

100gms Golden Caster Sugar

140 gms Ground Almond

1 Egg

Some flaked Almonds

Plain flour for dusting

Baking Parchment

Preheat your oven at 200 deg cel. Dust your working surface/chopping board with some plain flour and gently place the rolled pastry on to the surface.

You can cut a nice circle if you are using a pie dish or alternatively you make squares out of the puff pastry.

A swish of egg yolk on the puff would render an amazing golden hue once the puff pastry is baked.

Line your baking tray with somne parchment and carefully place the pastry sheet into the dish.You can use the end of the rolling pin for support to prevent the sheet from tearing. Once the sheet is safely placed, score gently on the surface of the pastry sheet. Place it in the oven and the temperature can stay at 200 deg cel, this will allow the dough to rise .Leave it for about 12 mins until the pastry is golden in colour and has risen.

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Whilst the pastry is in the oven, you can prepare the peaches and cut them into long slices.

In a mixing bowl, blend the almond flour, sugar and melted better. You can also add the vanilla extract and the almond extract enhances the almond flavour. If you are apprehensive about the dish being ‘too almondy’ you can give the almond extract a miss.

Once the puff pastry is risen you can carefully take the pastry out from the oven, be super careful at this point and remember to use gloves.

Gently layer the almond butter on the top and then the prepared peaches! You can sprinkle the chopped almonds and add some golden sugar to caramelize the peaches.

Reduce the temperature setting to 180 deg and carefully place the peach lined puff back into oven and allow it to cook for another 30 mins. You can serve once cooled.