INGREDIENT SPOTLIGHT

Did you know?

In the past few years, Saturn peaches (also called doughnut or saucer peaches due to their flattened shape) have become popular at farmers’ markets across Canada. They can be used in any of our recipes and taste just as great as the more traditional peach varieties.

SATURN PEACHES

INGREDIENT SPOTLIGHT

PEACHES

There’s something about peaches that just seems to embody summer, and we look forward to their return year after year. These sweet and savoury recipes make the most of our favourite stone fruit, because they’ll be gone before you know it!

BY ALANNA LIPSON & THE TEST KITCHEN

Uber-fresh summer pasta Saucy suppers to try Viva Italia appetizers Cherry tartlets

GRILLED PEACH AND TOMATO SALAD

Hands-on time: 20 minutes Total time: 30 minutes Makes: 6 servings

With peak-of-the-season tomatoes and peaches, snap peas and fresh herbs, this salad tastes like summer in a bowl.

Dressing:

2 tbsp white balsamic vinegar ½ cup thinly sliced red onion 3 tbsp olive oil 2 tsp grainy mustard 1 tsp liquid honey ¼ tsp salt ¼ tsp pepper

Salad:

2 peaches, pitted and quartered 1 tsp olive oil 500 g mixed heirloom tomatoes, roughly chopped 1 cup sliced sugar snap peas ¼ cup coarsely chopped fresh mint 2 tbsp coarsely chopped fresh tarragon ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese Hands-on time: 30 minutes Total time: 2 hours Makes: 8 servings

Almonds and peaches are both part of the rose family, which explains why they pair so beautifully together.

Fruit Topping:

3 to 4 peaches, pitted and cut in wedges ¼ cup granulated sugar 2 tbsp lemon juice

Crust:

2 cups finely ground amaretti cookies ¼ cup packed chopped dried apricots ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted

Cheesecake Filling:

½ cup whipping cream (35%) 1 pkg (227 g) cream cheese, softened ½ cup icing sugar, sifted 1 tsp grated lemon zest 1 tsp vanilla

Assembly:

½ cup fresh blackberries, halved

Fruit Topping: In bowl, toss together peaches, sugar and

Dressing: In small microwaveable bowl, microwave vinegar on high until hot, about 30 seconds. Stir in red onion. Let stand for 15 minutes. Strain vinegar mixture into large bowl, reserving red onion. Whisk in oil, mustard, honey, salt and pepper until blended. Salad: Brush peaches with oil. Place on greased grill over medium-high heat; close lid and grill, turning once, until peaches are softened and grill-marked, about 6 minutes.

In large bowl, combine peaches, tomatoes, snap peas, mint and tarragon. Drizzle with dressing, tossing to coat. Arrange on platter; top with reserved red onion and feta.

PER SERVING: about 140 cal, 3 g pro, 9 g total fat (2 g sat. fat), 13 g carb (3 g dietary fibre, 10 g sugar), 6 mg chol, 194 mg sodium, 368 mg potassium. % RDI: 5% calcium, 8% iron, 10% vit A, 40% vit C, 12% folate. lemon juice. Let stand at room temperature, stirring occasionally, until peaches are softened and sugar is dissolved, about 30 minutes.

Crust: Meanwhile, in food processor, pulse together amaretti cookies and apricots until in fine crumbs. Drizzle in butter; pulse until mixture is moistened. Press into bottom and up side of 9-inch tart pan with removable bottom. Bake on rimmed baking sheet in 350°F oven until fragrant and crust is set, about 10 minutes. Let cool.

Cheesecake Filling: In large bowl, whip cream until stiff peaks form; scrape into small bowl. In same large bowl, beat together cream cheese, icing sugar, lemon zest and vanilla until smooth and fluffy. Fold whipped cream into cream cheese mixture until combined.

Assembly: Spoon Cheesecake Filling over cooled crust, smoothing top. Refrigerate until set, about 1 hour. Drain Fruit Topping, reserving syrup for another use. Mound Fruit Topping over top of tart and top with blackberries.

PER SERVING: about 438 cal, 4 g pro, 28 g total fat (18 g sat. fat), 47 g carb (3 g dietary fibre, 44 g sugar), 74 mg chol, 183 mg sodium, 298 mg potassium. % RDI: 5% calcium, 5% iron, 28% vit A, 10% vit C, 5% folate.

Hands-on time: 30 minutes Total time: 2¼ hours Makes: 4 to 6 servings

Peaches might seem like an unusual pizza topping, but in this recipe, their sweetness is the perfect foil for salty, crispy prosciutto, creamy mozzarella and sharp arugula. We promise, once you try this, you’ll be converted!

Dough:

3 cups all-purpose flour 1 tbsp lemon zest (optional) ¾ tsp salt ½ tsp quick-rising (instant) dry yeast 1 cup warm water 3 tbsp olive oil

Topping:

250 g fresh mozzarella cheese, drained and torn in bite-size pieces 150 g prosciutto 2 peaches, pitted and thinly sliced 1½ cups baby arugula ¼ tsp pepper 1 tbsp balsamic glaze (approx)

Dough: In large bowl, whisk together 2¼ cups of the flour, the lemon zest (if using), salt and yeast. Using wooden spoon, stir in warm water and 1 tbsp of the oil until ragged dough forms. Turn out onto lightly floured work surface; knead dough, dusting with some of the remaining flour, until dough is smooth, elastic and no longer sticky, about 8 minutes. Transfer to greased bowl; turn to grease all over. Cover bowl with plastic wrap. (Makeahead: Refrigerate for up to 24 hours.) Let rise in warm draft-free place until doubled in size, about 1½ hours.

On lightly floured work surface, roll out or press dough into 12- x 17-inch rectangle. Fold in half, bringing short ends together; transfer to large rimless baking sheet; unfold. Brush with remaining oil; prick dough all over with fork. Bake on top rack of 500°F oven until crust is light golden, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from oven.

Topping: Top crust with mozzarella, prosciutto and peaches. Return to oven; bake until bottom of crust is golden and crisp and cheese is melted, 10 to 15 minutes. Top with arugula and pepper; drizzle with balsamic glaze.

PER EACH OF 6 SERVINGS: about 466 cal, 22 g pro, 20 g total fat (8 g sat. fat), 47 g carb (3 g dietary fibre, 5 g sugar), 59 mg chol, 874 mg sodium, 325 mg potassium. % RDI: 23% calcium, 24% iron, 7% vit A, 5% vit C, 43% folate. If the peaches are too soft to cut down the middle and twist open, use a serrated knife to cut around the stone. If you don’t have time to make fresh pizza dough, use store-bought!

GET SIX UNIQUE WAYS TO

PREPARE SUMMER PEACHES AT canadianliving.com/peaches.