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Easy Peach Pie

In Pies & Sweet Tarts On June 30, 2023 0 Comments

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Prep time: 30 minutes
Bake time: 35 to 45 minutes

Makes: One 9-inch pie

Is there anything more delicious and refreshing than a homemade pie? This peach pie recipe is easy because it requires ready-made pie pastry. You won’t fret over rolling out any pastry. Served with ice cream or gelato, this peach pie will impress ’em all!

Ingredients:
One package ready-made Trader Joe’s Pie Crusts (package contains 2 raw pastry sheets), thawed, per manufacturer’s directions
-OR-
Your favorite brand ready-made, raw pie pastry, thawed, per manufacturer’s directions
1 cup granulated, unbleached sugar
1/3 cup all-purpose, unbleached white flour
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
6 cups sliced peaches (first, peel the peaches; then slice them)
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

For Peach Filling:
1. Preheat oven to 425°F.

2. Place one pie crust or pastry in a 9-inch pie plate (glass or metal); edges may overlap a little.

3. Using a fork, poke holes in pastry (this will prevent it from puffing up during baking); set aside.

4. In a 2-cup bowl, stir together the sugar, flour and cinnamon; set aside.

5. Meanwhile, place the peeled and sliced peaches in a 4 to 6-quart bowl.

6. Gently stir in the flour-sugar mixture with a spoon until the peaches have absorbed it all.

7. Add the lemon juice and vanilla extract to the peach filling.

8. Using a large serving spoon, transfer the peach filling to the pastry-lined pie pan; set aside.

Assembling the Pie:

1. In the meantime, take the second pie pastry out of its wrapping and place it on a lightly-floured smooth surface.

2. Using a cutting wheel or straight-edged, sharp knife, cut a 3/4-inch wide strip of pastry.

3. Place the pastry strip over peach filling in pie plate.

4. Cut 3/4-inch wide strips from remaining pastry; place 3 more strips, spaced 1-inch apart, on pie filling. Make sure the strips are parallel to each other.

5. In a diagonal fashion, place 4 more strips over the first layer of pastry strips.

6. Using your fingers, crimp or paste together the edges of the pastry in a fluted manner. This process seals the pie.

7. Gently cover pastry edges of pie with aluminum foil strips measuring 2-inches wide. This will prevent blackening of the pastry edges.

8. Transfer pie to a rack positioned in center of oven.

9. If using a glass pie plate, bake the pie for 30 minutes.

10. If using a metal plate, bake the pie for 35 minutes.

11. To test doneness of pie, insert a sharp, pointed knife through center of pie. If fruit feels soft, the pie is done. If not, bake for an additional 5 to 8 minutes and test again.

12. When pie is done, set it on a rack or trivet on kitchen counter to cool.

13. Serve peach pie warm or cold with vanilla ice cream or gelato!
Text & Photograph ©2023 Nancy DeLucia Real

Stewed Chicken with Peaches & Zucchini

In Poultry, Soups and Stews On August 25, 2017 0 Comments

This succulent chicken dish is made with our present bounty of peaches and zucchini. Once the chicken is stewed with these ingredients, it is sweet and perfect with rice and/or green salad. These sides balance the luscious flavors of the stew. Enjoy!

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 45 to 55 minutes
Serves: 4 to 6

Ingredients:
¼ cup olive oil
One 2-1/2 to 3-pound chicken, skinned and cut into pieces (with bones)
-OR-
3 to 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut in half –AND-
4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1 medium-large brown or white onion, finely chopped (a contemporary addition)
1 cup white wine
1-1/2 to 2 cups cold water
¼ teaspoon ground cumin
¼ to ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 to 2 tablespoons honey
4 large, fresh peaches, peeled, pitted & cut into 1-1/2 inch slices
–OR-
One 16-ounce bag frozen, sliced peaches
1 large zucchini, cut into 1-inch rings (discard ends)
6 to 8 fresh mint sprigs (minced and scattered over chicken or used as garnish)

Directions:
1. In an 8-quart saucepot, heat the oil.

2. When oil is hot, add the chicken pieces and brown them on all sides on medium-high heat.

3. When chicken has browned, stir in the onions; cook onions 2 minutes or until they are translucent.

4. Add the wine and cook chicken, on medium-high heat (uncovered) for 7 to 8 minutes or until wine has thickened. Stir occasionally.

5. After wine has thickened and slightly reduced, add 1-1/2 cups water, the cumin, black pepper and 1 tablespoon honey.

6. Cook chicken 14 to 15 minutes on medium-high heat until liquid has thickened.

7. After 14 to 15 minutes, stir in remaining ½ cup water, peaches & .

8. Cook chicken on medium-high heat, covered, for 10 minutes; stir occasionally.

9. After 10 minutes, add the zucchini rings and cook 2 minutes or until zucchini is crunchy-tender.

10. Taste the stew. Adjust seasonings and honey, to taste.

11. Transfer chicken to serving platter, garnish with mint sprigs; serve immediately.
Text & Photographs ©2017 Nancy DeLucia Real

Peachy Plum Upside-Down Cake

In Cakes & Cupcakes On August 24, 2013 7 Comments

Summer is the season for peaches and plums. As I taste samples at various fruit stalls of the Santa Monica Farmers Market, I lose control and buy at least 15 to 20 pounds of both fruits. What’ll I do with all that fruit? After making some preserves, I’m thinking of making this peachy plum upside down cake for my next pool party.

Prep time: 20 minutes
Bake time: 35 to 40 minutes
Makes: One 9-inch cake

Ingredients (for preparing & placing fruit at bottom of pan):

2 tablespoons melted butter or vegetable oil (for greasing)
One 9-inch springform pan
One 9-inch parchment paper circle (cut the parchment to fit inside bottom of pan)
Juice of 1 lime
2 medium peaches
2 large plums
1 to 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/3 cup granulated sugar (preferably unbleached)
1 extra peach (for garnishing cake)
1 or 2 extra plums (for garnishing cake)

Ingredients (for cake batter to pour over fruit in pan):

2 cups unbleached white flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
3/4 cup granulated sugar (preferably unbleached)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/3 cup milk (whole, 2% milk fat, 1% milkfat or nonfat)

Slice & Prepare the Peaches & Plums:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.

2. Grease and flour the sides of springform pan.

3. Place parchment paper circle to fit in bottom of pan; set aside.

4. Squeeze lime juice into a 2 or 3-quart bowl and set aside.

5. Meanwhile, peel the peaches, cut them in half and remove pit. Thinly slice the peaches and place them in bowl with lime juice, giving them a light stir (be careful not to break the slices). Set aside.

6. Thinly slice the plums (do not peel them) and add them to the peaches in bowl. Give them a light stir and set aside.

7. Brush the parchment paper in pan with vegetable oil and then sprinkle it with 1/3 cup sugar; set pan aside.

Prepare the Cake Batter:

1. In a 1-quart bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder and salt; set aside.

2. In a stand mixer fitted with a bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar and vanilla extract (alternately, this step can be done with an electric hand mixer and regular bowl). Stir in the milk and mix well until batter is uniform.

3. Pour the batter over prepared fruit in pan.

4. Set the pan on a rack positioned in center of oven.

5. Bake the cake for 25 minutes.

6. After 25 minutes, test doneness of cake by inserting a sharp, pointed knife in its center. If knife comes out clean, the cake is done.

7. Since each oven heats differently, it may be necessary to bake the cake in additional increments of 5 minutes, testing doneness with knife each time.

8. When cake is done, transfer it (do not remove cake from pan) to a counter to cool.

9. Cool the cake in pan for 30 minutes.

10. After 30 minutes, invert cake onto a serving platter.

11. Remove sides of pan and peel off the parchment paper from cake.

Serve cake, garnished with mint leaf sprigs and additional slices of peaches and plums.

Optional: Garnish each cake slice with our 5-Minute Sweetened Whipped Cream recipe, previously published on this website (in Desserts, Creams & Sauces).

Text and Photograph ©2013 Nancy DeLucia Real