Peach Melba is a classic dessert that celebrates summer flavors with ripe peaches, tangy raspberry sauce, and creamy vanilla ice cream. This elegant dessert, created by legendary chef Auguste Escoffier in honor of Australian soprano Nellie Melba, is as visually appealing as it is delicious. Whether served at a fancy dinner party or on a lazy afternoon, Peach Melba will evoke feelings of warmth and nostalgia with each spoonful. Let’s look into the recipe and add a touch of timeless elegance to your table.
Ingredients:
For the Raspberry Sauce:
- 2 cups fresh raspberries (or frozen, thawed)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
For the Poached Peaches:
- 4 ripe peaches
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise (or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract)
For Serving:
- Vanilla ice cream
- Fresh raspberries, for garnish
- Mint leaves, for garnish
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Raspberry Sauce:
- In a small saucepan, combine the fresh raspberries, granulated sugar, and lemon juice. Stir to combine.
- Cook the raspberry mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the raspberries break down and release their juices, about 5-7 minutes.
- Optional: If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix the cornstarch with a tablespoon of water to create a slurry. Stir the slurry into the raspberry mixture and continue to cook until the sauce thickens slightly, about 1-2 minutes.
- Remove the raspberry sauce from the heat and let it cool. Strain the sauce through a fine mesh sieve to remove the seeds, if desired. Set aside to cool completely.
2. Prepare the Poached Peaches:
- Fill a large saucepan with water and bring it to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Meanwhile, score a small X on the bottom of each peach with a sharp knife. This will help with peeling later.
- Once the water is boiling, carefully add the peaches to the saucepan and blanch them for about 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until the skin starts to peel away.
- Using a slotted spoon, transfer the peaches to a bowl of ice w ater to stop the cooking process.
- Once the peaches are cool enough to handle, gently peel off the skin using your fingers or a paring knife. The skin should come off easily.
- In the same saucepan used for blanching, combine the water, granulated sugar, and split vanilla bean (or vanilla extract). Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
- Add the peeled peaches to the saucepan and bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat. Let the peaches poach gently until they are tender but still hold their shape, about 10-15 minutes.
- Once poached, remove the peaches from the saucepan using a slotted spoon and let them cool slightly. Reserve the poaching liquid for serving, if desired.
3. Assemble the Peach Melba:
- Place a scoop of vanilla ice cream in the center of each serving dish.
- Arrange a poached peach on top of the ice cream.
- Drizzle the cooled raspberry sauce over the peaches and ice cream.
- Garnish with fresh raspberries and mint leaves for a pop of color and freshness.
4. Serve and Enjoy:
- Serve Peach Melba immediately, while the ice cream is still cold and the peaches are warm.
- Optionally, you can serve extra raspberry sauce and poaching liquid on the side for guests to add more sauce to their liking.
Tips:
- Choose ripe but firm peaches for poaching to ensure they hold their shape during cooking.
- Feel free to adjust the sweetness of the raspberry sauce to your taste by adding more or less sugar.
- If fresh raspberries are not available, you can use frozen raspberries instead. Just be sure to thaw them before making the sauce.
Peach Melba is a classic dessert that embodies summer with its vibrant flavors and elegant presentation. With perfectly poached ripe peaches, tangy raspberry sauce, and creamy vanilla ice cream, each spoonful is a delicious taste of sunshine. Whether served as a refreshing treat on a hot day or as a sophisticated finish to a special meal, Peach Melba is sure to leave an impression. So gather your ingredients, embrace the seasonal flavors, and enjoy the simple pleasures of Peach Melba.