Discover the timeless elegance of our Classic Peach Melba Delight. This exquisite dessert, created by the renowned French chef Auguste Escoffier, combines the luscious sweetness of ripe peaches with the tartness of raspberry sauce, all served over a bed of creamy vanilla ice cream. Perfect for special occasions or a luxurious treat, Peach Melba is a symphony of flavors and textures that will enchant your taste buds.
Preparation and Cooking Times
- Preparation Time: 15 minutes
- Cooking Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings and Serving Size
- Servings: 4
- Serving Size: 1 peach half with sauce and ice cream
Nutritional Information (per serving)
- Calories: 220
- Protein: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fat: 6g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 35g
- Sodium: 40mg
Ingredients
- For the Peaches:
- 4 ripe peaches, halved and pitted
- 100g (3.5 oz) granulated sugar
- 500ml (2 cups) water
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- For the Raspberry Sauce:
- 200g (7 oz) fresh or frozen raspberries
- 50g (1.8 oz) granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- For Serving:
- 500ml (2 cups) vanilla ice cream
- Fresh mint leaves for garnish (optional)
Method of Preparation
Poach the Peaches:
- In a medium saucepan, combine the water, sugar, and vanilla extract. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
- Reduce the heat to low and add the peach halves. Simmer gently for 5-7 minutes, or until the peaches are tender but still hold their shape.
- Remove the peaches from the syrup with a slotted spoon and allow them to cool. Once cooled, peel the skin off the peaches.
Prepare the Raspberry Sauce:
- In a small saucepan, combine the raspberries, sugar, and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the raspberries break down and the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes.
- Strain the sauce through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the seeds, pressing down with a spoon to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the seeds and set the sauce aside to cool.
Assemble the Dessert:
- Place a scoop of vanilla ice cream in each serving bowl.
- Top each scoop with a peach half.
- Drizzle the raspberry sauce over the peaches and ice cream.
- Garnish with fresh mint leaves if desired.
Tips for Culinary Success
- Choose ripe but firm peaches to ensure they hold their shape during poaching.
- The poaching syrup can be saved and used to flavor iced tea or cocktails.
- For a different twist, try using white peaches or nectarines.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Q: Can I make this dessert ahead of time? A: Yes, you can poach the peaches and prepare the raspberry sauce a day in advance. Store them in the refrigerator and assemble just before serving.
- Q: Can I use store-bought raspberry sauce? A: Yes, store-bought raspberry sauce can be used for convenience, though homemade sauce offers a fresher taste.
- Q: How can I make this dessert dairy-free? A: Substitute the vanilla ice cream with a dairy-free alternative, such as coconut or almond milk-based ice cream.
Indulge in the refined simplicity of our Classic Peach Melba Delight. This elegant dessert is perfect for entertaining or treating yourself to a special moment of culinary bliss. Savor the harmonious blend of sweet peaches, tart raspberries, and creamy vanilla ice cream, and let each bite transport you to a world of gourmet delight.