Monday, December 8, 2014

Boozy Peaches (aka Peaches in Sticky Wine)

Peaches in Sticky Wine

According to Shakespeare, "brevity is the soul of wit".  That being said, I fear this post may be rather long on the brevity (is that really possible), and short on the wit.

The long and short of it is that this has been a week that really got away from me, and if I don't get this post out in the space of a very short lunch break today, it isn't going to happen.

So getting straight to the point, this week at I Heart Cooking Clubs, where we continue our journey with the gorgeous Diana Henry, we are creating Gifts From the Heart.  With Christmas just around the corner, it's a great opportunity to explore some of those edible gifts that we cooks like to give to family and friends over the holiday season.

I knew I would find something in my copy of "Salt Sugar Smoke" - in fact I found many things which will make wonderful festive gifts, but I decided that nothing could be as simple to make, nor impressive to receive as a jar of these Boozy Peaches.

Diana's original recipe uses apricots soaked in muscat, but I used what I had - a bag of dried peaches and a bottle of dessert wine.  Really the variables are limitless.  It's just dried fruit packed into a sterilised jar, covered with booze, and then left in a cool, dark place for the fruit to plump up in the alcohol.  According to Diana, these will keep for a very long time, though I defy you to actually do that, and are just perfect for an instant and luxurious dessert.  I'm thinking that chilling these before using them would be a nice touch, and a couple of these with a generous dollop of thick Greek yoghurt would be heavenly.

Not sure yet who is going to be the lucky recipient of this jar as a Christmas prezzie, but I'm willing to take offers.

Boozy Peaches (Peaches in Sticky Wine) Recipe
Ever so slightly adapted from recipe by Diana Henry
from Salt Sugar Smoke

Take a large sterilised jar

Fill jar to approximately 2/3 full with dried peaches
(apricots, plums or pears would all be good alternatives)

 Add one bottle of a sticky dessert wine

Ensure that you have left enough room in the jar for the fruit to plump up.  After a few days add more wine if all the fruit is no longer covered.

Store in a cool, dark place until you are ready to use.

If you would like to get to know Diana Henry a little better, and to see what everyone else has cooked up this week, then do go and visit my friends at I Heart Cooking Clubs and check out the links (who knows, you might even want to join the journey and cook along with us) ...

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18 comments:

  1. These sound even better than the original recipe!

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    1. Thanks, Alicia. I'm thinking I might try some prunes in Marsala as well.

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  2. Short and sweet still makes for a great entry for this IHCC theme! Diana Henry does like her boozy recipes. She always has such good ideas for how to use her recipes too! You may be super busy, but you picked a good one! Merry Christmas!

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    1. Thanks, Susan. You're right - there's loads of good "boozy" recipes in this book alone, and yes I love all the good serving suggestions she offers as well.

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  3. When I saw that it was peaches I immediately thought about making some of these for my DH. He loves peaches, add a sweet wine and Oh yes, he will enjoy. Thanks.

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    1. I think anyone who loves peaches would enjoy these, Melynda. These could be a great little "stocking filler" for hubby :-)

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  4. Oh...this sounds delicious, perfect for the holidays!

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    1. Thanks, Cheri - and those holidays are looming ever nearer, aren't they?!

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  5. That would make such a lovely gift! I can think of all sorts of uses for those delicious peaches.

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    1. Thanks, Zosia - yes, a multitude of possibilities, I think :-)

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  6. This looks wonderful, Sue!
    I would never have thought to used dried fruit! This would indeed make a lovely gift!
    Great choice!

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    1. Thanks, Joyce. I think the dried fruit is a great choice - I love the way the flavour of the fruit is always intensified. I can't wait to try with a few other fruits - apricots, prunes, cherries, raisins.

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  7. Ooo now these are lovely. I would have a hard time not just eating all of them myself!

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  8. I don't know why I don't have jars of spiked fruit sitting around to eat all of the time. ;-) These are perfect. I love the peach and sweet red wine combination. Great pick.

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  9. This looks like a lovely Christmas gift!

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  10. Love Diana Henry's books she is a marvel in bringing all those flavours out. Happy Christmas.

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