Straight from the orchard!

   The peach season is in its peak and what's better way to take advantage of it than pick your own peaches straight from the tree? Last weekend we went with our friends to Carter Mountain Orchard in Charlottesville, Va (highly recommended) where you can not only pick your own fruit, but also go for a hike, admire beautiful views, have peach ice cream and the most important, taste and buy some delicious wine from their vineyard! Despite the scorching weather, we had lots of fun, burned some calories hiking (that we immediately replenished with peaches and ice cream) and we went home with trunks (and stomachs) full of peaches... and wine! So the next three posts will feature peaches as a main ingredient. Are you excited? Lets start with one of the most popular peach desserts - a peach/almond crisp. Here is the recipe that makes 6 individual crisps:

Fruit filling:
*  5 medium peaches (peeled and cut into 1/2 inch cubes)
*  1/3 cup white sugar
*  2 tbsp corn starch
*  2 tbsp almond extract

Crisp:
*  1 cup all-purpose flour
*  1/2 cup oats
*  1/3 cup white sugar
*  1/3 cup brown sugar
*  1/2 tsp cinnamon
*  1 dash nutmeg
*  1/4 tsp salt
*  1 1/2 stick of cold butter (cut into pieces)
*  3/4 cup slivered almonnds

*  vanilla ice cream 

1. In a bowl combine peaches with sugar, corn starch and almond extract. Mix everything together and put into 6 medium size ramekins.
2. In a food processor, combine flour, white and brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and butter. Pulse until everything resembles a coarse meal. Transfer into a separate bowl, add oats and almonds and using a spoon mix everything together (to maintain a texture of nuts).
3. Cover generously the peaches in each ramekin and bake at 350F for 45 minutes. It looks like a lot of toppings on the peaches, but don't worry, it will all melt down and bake off decreasing significantly in size!
4. Serve it slightly warm, with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream on the top.

   Such a great and summery dessert! I actually make it very often using all sorts of different fruit (try it also with cherries) always trying to use a seasonal ingredients for extra deliciousness. The nuts and oats make it very rich so it's the perfect dessert to share with someone... or just enjoy it by yourself!

Good luck.
Magda.