THE PLEASURE OF PEACHESWritten by Arleen M. Kaptur
A peach is a all-in-one marvel. The scent is light and sweet, skin is fuzzy and smooth, and taste - oh, juice with each bite just drizzles down and natural flavor penetrates each slice. It is a favorite just plain, warm and succulent - but have a napkin nearby to catch essence of peach that drips down your chin. The color is hue of a sunlit morning and sound of your teeth cutting through flesh just gets your taste buds ready for an authentic taste of summer. If you want something a bit more fanciful than a plain peach - try some of these: FRESH PEACH TORTE - In a mixer, combine 6 egg whites, 1/4 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. cream of tartar. Beat until eggs have doubled in volume. Add 1-1/2 cups sugar, very slowly, being sure that sugar is dissolved. Beat in 1-1/2 tsp. vanilla. Spoon this mixture into a buttered 8” springform pan. Make a depression in center, about 5” wide and 1” deep. Place in a preheated 400 degree oven. Place cake in oven, close door and shut off heat. Let this meringue stay in oven for 12 hrs. or preferably overnight. Do not open oven door. The following morning, remove from oven and run a spatula around edges. Release spring and very gently remove sides. Loosen meringue from bottom and place on a serving plate. Peel and slice 2 lbs. of fresh peaches, sprinkle them with 2 tbs. of fresh lemon juice. Add 1/4 cup sugar and gently toss. Soften 1 envelope unflavored gelatin in 2 tbs. water. Place in a pan of hot water; stir until completely dissolved. Stir gelatin mixture into peaches, and chill in refrigerator until mixture has thickened. Whip 3/4 cup heavy cream until very thick, adding 1 tbs. sugar slowly while whipping. Stir in 1/4 tsp. vanilla into whipped cream.
| | A GOOD OLD-FASHIONED ICE CREAM SOCIALWritten by Arleen M. Kaptur
You may have attended an ice cream social at your local church or even in your town meeting hall. Your grandmother may have told you about ones she went to as a small girl or your parents took you to some when you were young. Now, let your own children, as well as neighbors, friends, and relatives enjoy this form of entertaining. It is relatively simple to host an ice cream social. Just make sure to serve plenty of smooth, creamy scoops of luscious flavors of ice cream and a table filled with delectable toppings and sprinkles. The best time is on a week-end when there is plenty of opportunity to chat and visit as well as indulge in sinfully rich combinations of made-to-order sundaes. There is always a lot of laughter, fun, and, of course, great eating. You can even add some excitement to your event - tell your guests to dress in cool colors of summer and to be ready for calorie-rich, taste-temping delights. You can add several different types of pie, cut into serving slices, and give your guests opportunity to add a scoop or more of ice cram and “the works” on their selected choice of pie. You then have a Pie and Ice Cream Social. Vanilla and chocolate ice cream are very basic and should always be served. These are super as bases for exotic, fanciful flights of imagination when it comes to creating supreme ice cream delight. Other flavors can be fruity, minty, nutty or a combination of all three. Set your containers of ice cream in buckets or bowls of ice to keep them frosty cold. And toppings - oh, array is endless. There are prepared toppings that range from hot fudge, strawberry, butterscotch, to pineapple and full gamut of fruit world. Or you can make your own However you choose, only limit is what your table can hold.
|
