Peach Crisp

Hill Country Peach Crisp

Dave DeWitt Leave a Comment

Peaches are the leading deciduous fruit crop grown in Texas and it is estimated that there are more than one million trees planted statewide. Average annual production exceeds one million bushels.  Some of the best peaches I’ve ever eaten are grown in the Hill Country outside of Austin and San Antonio.  They are so important there that a Hill Country Fruit Council has been established to guide tourists to the best orchards.  Here’s how to use them in a wonderful dessert. From the article “Perfectly Pungent Peaches” by Dave DeWitt here.

Ingredients

10 cups sliced fresh peaches

2 teaspoons lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

1 cup brown sugar

3/4 cup whole wheat flour

3 cups quick oats

1 1/2 cups chopped pecans

3/4 cup grated coconut

1 cup melted butter

1 teaspoon almond extract

1 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon cayenne

Instructions

In a bowl, toss the peaches with the lemon juice and almond extract and then place them in a 9 by 13 inch baking dish.

In another bowl, combine the sugar, flour, oats, pecans, and coconut and then stir in the butter and almond extract.  Spread this mixture over the peaches and sprinkle it with nutmeg and cayenne.

Bake in a 350 degree oven for 45 to 60 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.

Heat Scale: Medium

Savory Blueberry Compote

Savory Blueberry Compote

Dave DeWitt Leave a Comment

Use either frozen or fresh blueberries for this compote. You also can adjust the heat by adding fewer chipotles to begin with and then adding more until you reach the desired heat. Chipotles in adobo sauce can be found in the Hispanic section of your supermarket. Serve over pork tenderloin or meat of your choice. This recipe was developed by SuperSite Food Editor Emily DeWitt-Cisneros.From the article Blazing Blueberries.

Ingredients

2 cups blueberries
1/4 cup orange juice
5 chipotles in adobo sauce, chopped
1 tablespoon sugar

Instructions

In a medium-sized saucepan, add blueberries and orange juice and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Simmer until the blueberries are soft, about 5-10 minutes. With a potato masher or fork break up the blueberries. With a strainer drain off the excess liquid. Return the blueberries to saucepan, add the chipotles and sugar. Heat through. Serve over your meat of choice.

Grilled Scallops with a Rocotillo Mango Relish

Grilled Scallops with a Rocotillo Mango Relish

Dave DeWitt Recipes Leave a Comment

Chris Schlesinger, of the East Coast Grill in Cambridge, Massachusetts, sent us this recipe, which was published in an early issue of Chile Pepper magazine. The sharp spiciness of the chile combines easily with mellow sweetness of the mango to create a strong by not overpowering accompaniment for the creamy taste of the scallops. From the article Mango Madness!

Ingredients

1 cup rocotillo chiles, seeds and stems removed, minced, or substitute 1 habanero plus 5 yellow wax chiles
1 small purple onion, diced
1 green bell pepper, stemmed, seeded and diced
1 red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded and diced
2 ripe mangos, peeled and diced
Juice of 3 oranges
1/2 cup pineapple juice
Juice of 4 limes
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
2 pounds sea scallops
Water
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

To make the relish, in a bowl combine all the ingredients, except the scallops, water, salt, and pepper and mix well.

Blanch the scallops in boiling water in a saucepan for 2 1/2 minutes. Drain, pat dry, and sprinkle with the salt and pepper.

Thread the scallops on skewers and grill over a medium hot fire until they are golden brown on the outside and opaque throughout, about 2 to 3 minutes per side.

Make a bed of the relish on each plate and place the scallops on top and serve.

Blueberry-Cobbler-with-Spicy-Biscuits.jp

Blueberry Cobbler with Spicy Biscuits

Dave DeWitt Leave a Comment

The sweetness of the blueberries in this recipe is enhanced by the heat from the biscuits. You may use other fruit fillings, but fresh blueberries work the best. This recipe was developed by SuperSite Food Editor Emily DeWitt-Cisneros. From the article Blazing Blueberries.

Ingredients

2 cups blueberries, fresh or frozen
1 teaspoon Mexican vanilla extract
1/4 cup orange juice
1/3 cup white sugar
1/2 teaspoon flour
2 teaspoons butter, melted
1 1/4 cups all purpose baking mix (Bisquick)
1/3 cup milk
1 tablespoon hot New Mexican chile powder

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Lightly grease an 8-inch-square baking dish. In the baking dish mix blueberries, vanilla, and orange juice. Sprinkle the top with sugar and flour, then stir in the butter. Bake for 15 minutes. While the blueberries are baking, in a medium size bowl combine the baking mix, milk and chile powder and mix until soft dough forms, adding more milk if needed.

Turn onto a flat surface sprinkled with baking mix. Fold and pat 5 times. Roll dough to 1/2-inch-thick. with a biscuit cutter cut out 5 biscuits. Remove the blueberries from the oven.

Raise temperature of the oven to 450 degrees F. Place the 5 biscuits on top of the blueberries and return to oven for 8-10 minutes or until biscuits are golden brown. Serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream.  

Grilled Peach Halves Stuffed with Cheese and Chipotle Raspberry Puree

Grilled Peach Halves Stuffed with Cheese and Chipotle Raspberry Puree

Dave DeWitt Recipes Leave a Comment

Do not peel the peaches. The chipotle chile adds a nice hint of heat and smoke to this spectacular way to end a great meal off the grill. An interesting variation is to substitute Stilton cheese for the goat cheese. From the article “Perfectly Pungent Peaches” by Dave DeWitt here.

Ingredients

The Peaches:

2 tablespoons brown sugar

2 tablespoons lime juice

3 tablespoons raspberry vinegar

2 firm ripe peaches, cut in half vertically, pits removed

Finely chopped walnuts for garnish

 

Cheese Filling:

2 tablespoons cream cheese, at room temperature

2 tablespoons goat cheese, at room temperature

 

Raspberry Puree:

1 1/2 cups frozen raspberries

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1 tablespoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon ground chipotle chile

Instructions

Combine the brown sugar, lime juice, and vinegar in a small saucepan and simmer for 10 minutes to thicken slightly. Remove from the heat, allow to cool, add the peaches, and marinate for an additional 20 minutes. .

In a small bowl, mix the cheeses together and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to blend the flavors.

To make the puree, slightly thaw the raspberries. Place all the ingredients in a blender or food processor and puree until smooth.

Remove the peaches from the marinade and place them in a grill basket with handles.  Grill them flesh side down over a medium-hot fire. Grill for 2 to 3 minutes until the grill marks show.  Turn and grill until the peaches are soft.

To serve, spoon some of the raspberry puree on a dessert plate, place the peach cut side up on the sauce. Put a dollop of cheese in the center of the peach and top with additional puree, and garnish with the walnuts.

Heat scale: Mild