Lemon Verbena Poached Peaches
Local peaches poached in a light syrup of white wine, fragrant lemon verbena, and honey, chilled and served with whipped creme fraiche and almonds. A light, refreshing, and simple summery dessert that you’ll want to make on repeat.
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With their scent of warm sunshine and heavenly, velvety nectar, a bite into a perfectly ripe peach and feeling the sweet juices dribbling down your chin IS the essence of summer. You can most often find me perched over the sink whenever eating a peach because I really don’t want to eat them any other way than perfectly dribbly ripe…unless they are poached.
While each year there is a slight variance in dates due to weather changes, we are still in peak peach season here in Pennsylvania. I picked these beauties up from Three Springs Fruit Farm at Headhouse Market. Located between Gettysburg and Carlisle in Northern Adams County, Three Springs Fruit Farm has been family owned and operated for over 100 years, and if you ever have the chance to taste their produce, I highly recommend!
Now I know what you might be thinking — fruit for dessert? But trust me on this one. Lightly sweet, refreshing, and no-fuss, it is just peachy.
I thoroughly enjoy eating any type of peach, but for poaching I look for freestone peaches. Clingstone are typically smaller, very juicy, and sweet, but have pits that cling to the flesh. Freestone have a flesh that is not attached and much more easily removed from the pit without bruising the peach. Ok freestone peaches for poaching. Now which peach variety do you choose? White-flesh peach varieties taste sweeter than yellow peaches -- white peaches contain more sugar, yellow peaches contain more acid, and flavor is all about the sugar-to-acid ratio. Both are great for eating and take well to poaching, but I prefer yellow for poaching since the peaches poach in a lightly sweet syrup. More acid and less sweetness to bring balance.
Not only are peaches a delicious way to savor summer, they are also super nutritious. High in fiber, minerals, and Vitamins A and C, these antioxidants help support healthy skin and vision and boost the immune system, and may also promote brain health, lower blood pressure, and lower cancer risk. Peaches also contain pre-biotics that are good for the gut, digestion, and anti-inflammation. And at a whooping 88% water content, this juicy fruit is a hydration superstar for your body.
Ah lemon verbena. Have you ever smelled it? With a subtle licorice and sweet citrusy, almost Fruit Pebbles aroma, I will 110% say it is the most intoxicating herb. It just evokes that alluring, gotta-have-it je ne sais quoi when used in a dish. I searched high and low this summer to be able to grow some in my patio garden, and, thankfully, Wolff’s Apple House in Media, PA had some babies I could take home to nurture. I’ve used it in many applications in the professional kitchen, and I was so excited to bring it to my home-cooked foods. What else can you make with lemon verbena? So much! It’s delicious used to flavor water or ice cubes, teas, fruit salad, ice cream and custards, jams, syrups, fish or poultry marinades, vinaigrettes, vinegars, and cocktails.
Need more reasons to incorporate lemon verbena into your diet? The magical herb is full of health-boosting properties, including anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety, and antioxidant effects that help keep the body healthy and boost the immune system. It may also aid digestive disorders, including indigestion, gas, colic, diarrhea, and constipation, as well as may also help with muscle spasms and damage, joint pain, insomnia, skin conditions, congestion, colds, and fevers.
Follow the recipe below to the T or use only as a guideline for the method of poaching. Feel free to switch up with a variety of flavors or fruits suited to your taste and ingredient availability. Either way, it’ll be delicious, and I hope you relish in the final bits of summer. Bonus tip: Poach a few extra peaches to enjoy with your favorite dairy or non-dairy yogurt, cottage cheese, or ice cream and granola for breakfast or a healthy snack. Use the extra syrup to sweeten cocktails or tea.
EQUIPMENT:
While both peaches and lemon verbena have fantastic health properties, they are no replacement for a healthy lifestyle. Incorporating them as part of a balanced diet can be beneficial. If in doubt, always consult a dietary and medical professional.
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