Peach Pies

Wabi-Sabi Summer Peach Pie

~ Teresa Blackburn ~ 10 Comments

This pie is not perfect. I am not a fan of perfect, but a lover of the wonderful imperfections that make up all of the things I consider beautiful. I learned many years ago this is what is known as wabi-sabi. I have always been this way and really do not have much patience with folks who like “everything just perfect”.  Years ago I did not know it was a real thing, a traditional Japanese aesthetic. Wabi loosely means rustic simplicity, a beauty that is neither permanent nor complete.  Sabi is to take pleasure in the imperfect.  This is my Wabi Sabi Peach Pie, my favorite kind!

This pie is made using store-bought pie crusts with a scattering of freshly grated nutmeg on the bottom, fresh peaches, a splash of Lillet Blanc Dessert Wine and Hibiscus Vinegar, granulated cane sugar tossed with a bit of cornstarch, fresh lemon zest and juice. That’s all.

Refrigerator pie crusts have gotten a bad rap. They are quick and easy and can be gussied up with herbs and spices. They always stay crispy, even the bottom crust and the flakiness is just great.  I keep them on hand in my freezer as a pantry staple, especially in the summer for quick pies and cobblers.

Fresh nutmeg grated over the bottom crust.

 Spring-form pans are my favorite “pie pans”.  You can remove the sides of the pan for easy slicing.  I cut the top crust into strips with a fluted pastry cutter and then placed the strips over the filling in a loose concentric circle pattern. A dusting of sugar and this pie was ready for the oven.

I love all the crispy, crusty edges, no sogginess and perfectly imperfect.

Warm pie, cold ice cream. The “wabi” and the “sabi”.

Wabi Sabi Peach Pie

Ingredients:

  • 6-8 fresh ripe peaches, peeled & sliced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • zest of one lemon
  • 1/4 cup Lillet Blanc Dessert Wine (or any white dessert wine)
  • 1/4 cup Hisbiscus Vinegar (or you can use pomegranate or cherry or apple)
  • 1 cup granulated cane sugar + extra for topping
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • pinch of kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg (or 1/4 ground)
  • 1 box (2 crusts) store-bought pie crusts (or enough homemade pie crust for top and bottom crust)

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  2. Remove one pie crust from packaging and place on lightly floured surface. Give it a few rolls with a rolling pin. Place in the bottom of a spring-form pan fitting it into the bottom and partially up the sides. Don’t worry if crust edges are not even.
  3. Scatter nutmeg over the bottom crust.
  4. Remove second crust from packaging and give it a few rolls with the rolling pin as well. Using a crimped pastry cutter cut into strips.
  5. In a bowl toss together the peaches, lemon juice and zest, Lillet and hibiscus vinegar.
  6. In another bowl toss together the sugar, cornstarch and salt. Add this to the peaches and toss well.
  7. Fill bottom crust with the peach filling.
  8. Arrange strips of crust over the top of the filling in a loose concentric circle. Strips can overlap to cover the pie. Sprinkle extra sugar over crust.
  9. Place filled springform pan on a sheet pan and place in the oven to bake for 40-50 minutes or until pie crust is golden brown and filling is bubbly and thickened.
  10. Remove pie from oven and place on a cooling rack. After about 20 minutes. remove the springform sides and continue cooling. Pie is wonderful sliced while warm and served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

http://www.teresablackburnfoodstyling.com

 

 

My-Oh-My A Little Peach Pie

~ Teresa Blackburn ~ 20 Comments

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There are some fruits in particular that have an inner glow. Light does not shine on them, but come from within. Summer peaches are one such fruit. They are ageless, timeless and have an art-historical romance that is inherent.

 I made my weekly pilgrimage to the Downtown Nashville Farmer’s Market to buy a paper sack of peaches from “The Peach Truck”. This is a weekly affair as long as they are on offer. I enjoy creating simple, delicious recipes using these peaches that do not cover up the natural flavors.

This is how it easy it is to make my “My-Oh-My A Little Peach Pie”. The ingredients are Peaches, sugar, frozen puff pastry and fresh lavender flowers.

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Frozen puff pastry is readily available in most supermarkets. Look for brands that use real butter such as Dufour. I keep a box of this in my freezer at all times. Just follow the package directions and you  can’t go wrong.

Do you peel ripe peaches? I do not unless the peel is very tough. In this case the lightly fuzzy peel was very soft and edible.

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Muscovado sugar with its hint of molasses & white sugar flavored with fresh lemon zest….fresh lavender flowers….and ripe peaches.

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I used the puff pastry scraps to top off this free-form pie.

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Not overly sweet with just a hint of molasses-dark brown sugar & lavender made this peach pie come alive.

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Here, have a bite….

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“From blossoms comes, this brown paper bag of peaches we bought from the boy at the bend in the road where we turned toward signs painted Peaches. From “Blossoms” By Li-Young Lee

My-Oh-My A Little Peach Pie

  • Servings: 6
  • Print

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Ingredients:

  • 4-5 ripe, but firm peaches, rinsed, patted dry & sliced
  • 1 pkg frozen puff pastry dough, thawed according to pkg directions
  • 1/3 cup white sugar flavored with 1 tsp lemon zest, divided
  • 3 Tbsps Muscovado sugar (or dark brown sugar)
  • 1 Tbsp fresh lavender flowers (or 1 tsp dried)

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  2. Unfold thawed puff pastry dough onto a lightly floured sheet of parchment paper placed on kitchen counter.  Cut dough into a 10 inch square using a sharp knife. (Roll out somewhat using a rolling-pin if necessary.) Save scraps for topping pie.
  3. Lift edges of parchment paper and place dough on a baking sheet & sprinkle surface with 2 Tbsp of the white lemon sugar.
  4. Arrange peach slices on top of dough leaving a 1 1/2 to 2 inch border uncovered. Sprinkle peaches with Muscovado sugar and half the lavender flowers.
  5. Arrange scrap strips of puff pastry dough over top of peaches  and fold bottom edges of dough up and over the edges of the filling. Sprinkle the dough with the remaining white lemons sugar and lavender flowers.
  6. Bake for about 30-35 minutes or until puff pastry dough is golden brown and crispy. Remove pie from oven and cool on a rack for a bit before serving. Wonderful warm with a scoop of ice cream or as is which is my favorite way to enjoy this seasonal dessert.

For Lemon Sugar to use in this or other desserts: add fresh lemon zest to white sugar and stir….use in your desserts to brighten up the flavors.

Recipe by: Teresa Blackburn June 2015