I did not want peach season to end without me participating, but getting my hands on good fruit is not always easy. Then this week while scoping out sites I ran into a Peach Crumble recipe.
Originally this recipe came from Cooks Illustrated. While I love the end result of Cooks Illustrated recipes, what I don’t like is how they over-handle the food to get to the end result. Their recipes are always deconstructed and then reconstructed. It is not that it is not good; I just don’t have the patience for all that. It just sounds like too much work.
Last week I made Mom’s long lost Sour Cream Crumble Coffee Cake. Thank you Ina. When I started topping the coffee cake I realized this was way too much crumble for me so I froze half of it. I was careful to label it because even with my small freezer things get lost. After something is frozen if left unmarked you will be asking yourself what the heck is that darn thing – so get out the blue tape and the sharpie.
With the crumble already made and in the freezer I had only to work with the fruit. Suddenly it all became more attractive to me. My work was half done.
I am becoming more suspicious of the quality of our fruit. When I was little we had peach trees at our house and my Grandmother’s house. You can’t beat that for freshness and for flavor, but I no longer am that fortunate.
Nowadays peaches, or any fruit for that matter do not have the flavor that I grew up with. I suspect they have been in cold storage long enough for them to have lost their flavor if they ever had any.
So I have been trying to hit the organic markets and make friends with the green grocer. First I ask if he loves his Mother, if he says yes, then I ask him to pick out 2 pounds of the ones he would take to his Mother. I have only had one green grocer say he did not get along with his Mother, so I asked if he likes his wife and he said yes, so I said may I have some that you would take to your wife. So far so good.
My new friend Eric picks out the best avocados and watermelons. Well actually he warned me off of the watermelon until Wednesday when he was getting in the good stuff, so I went back on Wednesday and bought a small delicious watermelon. So next I approached him to pick out the best peaches he had. He gladly cut one open for me to smell and taste and then warned me that the season is almost over.
I would advise you to make friends with the person that handles your fruits and vegetables if you are having a problem finding the good stuff. I would encourage you to buy organic, in season and the best you can afford. I would encourage you to make extra crumble and keep it frozen for just such emergencies as when company is coming, or you just want to be good to the family, and you have fresh fruit. I think this would work with whatever is in season. My one regret was I was not as organized as I strive to be or there would have been a big-o-scoop of vanilla ice cream on top of my peach crumble.
I took embarrassing liberty with this dish by using Ina’s streusel crumble, but Cooks Illustrated’s technique. I downsized to 2 pounds of fruit, and I did not use all the sugar because the fruit is in season and at its peak, but I want to thank all of those involved that make this a remarkable recipe. Thank you Ina for making too much crumble although one of the comments was there is no such thing. Thank you Cooks Illustrated for a great technique. Thank you Eric – the peaches were excellent. Sheesh! it took a lot of people to get this made.
- For the Filling
- 2 lbs. Peaches, peeled, halved, pitted and sliced
- ⅓ Cup Sugar
- 1¼ tsp Cornstarch
- 3 - 5 tsp Lemon Juice
- Pinch Salt
- Pinch Cinnamon
- *Sugar – this will depend on the ripeness/quality of fruit – add half; then more if needed.
- 1 tablespoon of cold butter cubed and distributed on the filling.
- For the Crumble
- I used one half of the Coffee Cake Streusel.
- I left out the nutmeg and added almonds.
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
- ¼ pound (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 1⅓ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup of almonds
- Mise en place ~ Gather Ingredients
- Prepare baking dish or dishes – Give a generous smear of butter.
- Preheat oven to 350°F
- Line a jellyroll pans with parchment or use a silicone mat.
- For the Filling
- Squeeze some fresh lemon into your mixing bowl.
- Peel and slice peaches; toss gently so each slice is coated with lemon to avoid darkening.
- Sprinkle half the sugar over peaches in a large bowl; let macerate for 10 minutes. Taste for sweetness; if needed add in the remaining sugar.
- Stir and macerate for another 20 minutes.
- Drain the peach juice; reserve ¼ cup of the juice.
- Whisk reserved peach juice with cornstarch, cinnamon, and salt; add to peaches.
- Place in individual ramekins or in one 8 x 8 pan.
- For the Crumble or Streusel
- Combine dry ingredients.
- Drizzle Vanilla into mixture.
- Stir in melted butter; place into refrigerator while waiting for the peaches.
- Spread crumble on the parchment-lined jellyroll pan; break into crumble.
- Bake on the middle rack for 15 minutes.
- Add in almonds; bake another 5 minutes; watch so almonds don’t burn.
- Dot filling with butter cubes.
- Add baked crumble topping to the peaches; break any larger chunks.
- Place the ramekin or baking dish on the jellyroll pan; bake for about 20 minutes.
- If you are baking one large dish, it may take up to 25 minutes.
- Start checking at 20 minutes. If it is bubbling it’s done. Mine took about 25 minutes.
- Allow to cool for 30 minutes; serve warm - Preferably with some ice cream.
I am taking this to
Susan’s at Metamorphosis Monday
Sarah’s at Make The Scene Monday
Jane’s at Melt In Your Mouth
Chandra’s at Show Me Your Plaid Monday’s!
Kayla at Sweet Sharing Monday
Ali’s at Recipe Sharing Monday
Debbie’s at Confessions of a Plate Addict
Megin’s at Brag About It
Krista’s at Heavenly Achievements
Linda’s at Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Marty’s at Inspire Me Tuesday
Lauren’s at Off The Hook Link Party
Wanda Ann’s at Tuesday Trivia
Beth’s at Patisserie Tuesday
Maria’s at Tuesdays At Our Home
Kathe ‘s at Your Gonna Love It Tuesday
Alice’s at Empty Your Archive
Anyonita’s at Tasty Tuesdays
Kim’s at Wow Us Wednesday
Sherry’s at Open House Party
Ashley’s at What’s In The Kitchen
Yvonne’s at TUTORIALS TIPS AND TIDBITS
Dana’s at Two Girls and A Party
Sherry’s at Home Sweet Home
Lindsay’s at Show And Share
The Style Sister’s Centerpiece Wednesdays
Jann’s at Share Your Cup
Leslie’s at Create It Thursday
Miz Helen’s at Miz Helen’s Country Cottage
Liz at The Brambleberry Cottage
Nici at All Things Thursday
Debra’s at Be Inspired Friday
Cindy’s at Show and Tell Friday
Michael’s at Foodie Friday
Courtney’s at Feathered Nest Friday
Becca’s at Friday’s Five Features
Ruthie’s at Show and Tell
Leigh Anne’s at Finding the Pretty and Delicious
Linda’s at What To Do Weekend
Paula’s at Saturday Dishes
Natasha’s at G’Day Saturday
Shauna’s at The Weekend re-Treat
Ms. Scaper’s at The Tablescaper
Aimee’s at Twigg Studios
Vanessa’s at NiftyThrifty
Carole’s at Carole’s Chatter
Chrystal’s at Ladies Only
Jamie’s at Social Sunday
I’ll take a large portion, warm please with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream. It looks fantastic and I love your method of procuring great fruit. You make me laugh!
Chris, I hope you will try this, I was surprised the technique worked so well.
Great recipe, again. As usual, I am pinning. This would go good with apples. We have an apple orchard not to far from us. One of those “you pick”. Should be good with this, xoGinger
Thanks for visiting Ginger. I think this would be great with apples although it is a little early here I am anxious for fresh apples. If you are picking your own apples you are certainly getting the best.
What a hearty and comforting dessert! Looks lovely and I’m sure tastes scrumptious. Thanks for all the details and interesting tips, as always!
Poppy
Thanks for visiting Poppy. The technique really brought out the flavor. I hope you will make it.
Yum! I just made a strawberry crumble but it’s already gone. I know we’ve got some peaches sitting around though! Thanks for sharing! Stop by my Friday’s Five Features and link up this post (and others)! http://diy-vintage-chic.blogspot.com/2013/09/fridays-five-features-no-7.html
Hurry before the season is gone and we will have to wait another year. I am so happy with this technique. Thanks for the invitation, I’ll be right over.
I’m hurrying! Have a party this weekend to prepare for and this will be perfect. Thanks for stopping by! Don’t forget to stop back by this Friday!
Yummy!!!
How delicious it looks!
Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
Thanks for visiting. I hope you will try this crumble. It turned out even better than I thought.
Hi I am hoping over from Heavenly Achievements Week! Your peach crumble looks absolutely delicious!
YUM! I have a few peaches left that I need to use up. Would love to try making this. We are lucky that we have a fresh produce stand just down the road from us. I bought a box last week and have been eating them like crazy! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Madonna, This looks fabulous ~ I’ve been in the same boat with leftover ‘crumble’ from a few Ina’s recipes, and I have frozen ~ this looks like a wonderful way to utilize it.
I completely agree with you about ‘Cook’s Illustrated’ ~ most of the time I just jump to the end recipe, all the rest in between just seems to try my patience.
Love your technique with the produce people at the market! I’ll have to try that.
Oh Mari, thank you for visiting. I worried about saying that about Ina and CI. I did not want to sound arrogant since I know they are so talented. It is about me being impatient and I really want simplicity. As for the produce technique it works at the meat department too. Once in a while you will find a disgruntle person, but for the most part When you ask for the best they seem to want to give you the best.
I bought a basket of peaches last Thursday. I have one left! Looks delicious. Dropping by from Met Monday.
Allison
Atticmag
Please use a ramekin. Make the crumble and freeze what you don’t use for another day.
Looks great … thanks for the shopping tips 😉 LOL
Francine
This sounds sooooooooooooo good. Thanks for the recipe and thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty
Thanks bunches for joining in over at Patisserie Tuesdays! OHGosh, peach anything and you have my attention… peaches are my absolute favorite fruit!
Hugs and enjoy the rest of your week!
Beth P
http://elisabetpollock.blogspot.com
Too funny. Thanks for the recipe. I think I might even pare this recipe down a bit. 🙂 You’re the best. Linda
Oh, and featuring you also. Pinned.
Thanks! Your recipe is great! It will be featured on this weeks Heavenly Achievements!
I just pinned your delicious recipe from Full Plate Thursday, thanks for sharing!
Miz Helen
Oh Yum!! I love Crumbles!!!
I hope you will try it Chandra. I am in love with the technique.