Fresh Peaches With Lemon Balm Bay Syrup Recipes

Steps:

• Prepare an ice-water bath. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Cook peaches, 3 at a time, for 1 minute. Transfer to ice-water bath. Peel, halve, and pit peaches. Cut each half into 6 wedges.
• Bring peaches, sugar, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt to a simmer in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until sugar dissolves, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a bowl. Let cool completely, cover, and refrigerate overnight.
• Prepare an ice-water bath. Transfer peach mixture to a medium saucepan, and bring to a boil. Skim foam from surface. Cook, stirring occasionally, until peaches are tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Return peach mixture to the bowl, and let cool in ice-water bath. Use immediately, or refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.

Steps:

• Prepare two days in advance: dissolve the sugar in a pan with 300ml/1⁄2 pint water over a low heat. Put the lemon balm and bay leaves in a bowl. Pour in the hot syrup and lime juice, cover and leave in a cool place for at least 2 days.
• Several hours ahead, have ready a bowl of iced water. Plunge the peaches one at a time into a saucepan of boiling water. Remove from the pan immediately and put in iced water.
• Peel the peaches, then cut them in half and remove the stones. Put the halves in a bowl and strain the syrup over. Cover and chill for about 2 hours, basting from time to time.
• To serve, spoon a peach and some syrup into each dessert glass and serve with clotted cream and Balmoral biscuits on the side.