Peach Melba Tartlets Recipes

Steps:

• Brush the insides of 8 fluted tartlet cases (preferably loose-bottomed, about 6-7cm in diameter) lightly with a little oil, then line the bases with discs of non-stick baking paper. Dust the worktop lightly with sifted icing sugar and roll the marzipan out to the thickness of a £1 coin. Cut out eight circles using an 9.5cm cutter (use a small saucer as a template if you don't have a large enough cutter), re-rolling the marzipan trimmings if necessary.
• Fit the marzipan circles into each tartlet case, pressing lightly into the sides. If you have time, leave them to dry out overnight, uncovered, in the fridge.
• Using a blowtorch, brown each case evenly until it turns a caramel colour. Wait a few moments to cool until the marzipan starts to harden before turning out. These can be made up to 4-5 days ahead and stored in an airtight container.
• Heat the sugar and 500ml water slowly in a saucepan until the sugar starts to dissolve, stirring once or twice. Meanwhile, peel 3 or 4 strips of zest from the lemon using a swivel peeler, and drop into the sugar and water. When the sugar has dissolved, bring the mixture to the boil, then boil for about 5 minutes so you have a medium-strength syrup. Pick out a good handful of small basil leaves and reserve for decoration. Put the rest of the basil leaves and stalks into the hot syrup.
• Make a small criss-cross on the top of each peach (this helps the skins burst when cooking, so they are easier to peel). Slip the peaches into the syrup so they fit quite snugly together in a single layer. Cover with foil, then poach on a low heat for 15-20 minutes, depending on the ripeness, checking if done with the tip of a sharp knife. Remove the peaches to a bowl with a slotted spoon and leave to cool.
• When cool enough to handle, peel the skin off each peach. Cut in half and twist to separate the halves then remove the stones. Strain the syrup back over the peaches and allow them to cool to room temperature so they take on the flavour. You can do this overnight if you want to get ahead, but return to room temperature.
• Thaw the ice cream for 15-20 minutes then beat it until slightly slushy. Scoop the softened ice cream into a large piping bag fitted with a medium star-nozzle and, working very quickly, pipe a nest of ice cream into the tartlet cases (or drop spoonfuls into each case to cover). Return the cases to the freezer and freeze until the ice cream is firm - allow at least an hour. Or they can now be frozen for up to 2 days.
• Whizz the raspberries in a blender. Start on low and gradually increase, adding 4 tbsp syrup to thin a little. Add alcohol. Pour through a fine sieve into a bowl, rubbing with the back of a spoon. Add lemon juice and icing sugar to taste if needed.
• Just before serving, remove 8 of the best peach halves from the syrup. Put the frozen filled tartlet cases onto 8 small plates and leave for about 5 minutes to soften. Sit a peach half on top of each tartlet. Arrange the reserved raspberries and basil around each tart. Spoon a little Melba sauce over each peach, but don't flood them. Finish with a light sifting of icing sugar and serve immediately, handing round extra sauce in a small jug.

Steps:

• Put the water, sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla pod into a wide saucepan and heat gently to dissolve the sugar. Bring the pan to the boil and let it bubble away for about 5 minutes, then turn the heat down to a fast simmer.
• Cut the peaches in half, and if the stones come out easily then remove them, if not then you can get them out later. Poach the peach halves in the sugar syrup for about 2 to 3 minutes on each side depending on the ripeness of the fruit. Test the cut side with the sharp point of a knife to see if they are soft, and then remove them to a plate with a slotted spoon.
• When all the peaches are poached, peel off their skins and let them cool (then you can remove any remaining stones). If you are making them a day in advance then let the poaching syrup cool and then pour into a dish with the peaches. Otherwise just bag up the syrup and freeze it for the next time you poach peaches.
• To make the raspberry sauce, liquidize the raspberries, confectioners' sugar, and lemon juice in a blender or a food processor. Sieve to remove the pits and pour the puree into a jug.
• To assemble the Peach Melba, allow 2 peach halves per person and sit them on each plate alongside a scoop or 2 of ice cream. Spoon the raspberry sauce over each.

Steps:

• Make the crust: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Spread the almonds on a baking sheet and bake until slightly golden, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and let cool completely.
• Combine the flour, 1/3 cup of the toasted almonds, the granulated sugar and salt in a food processor and pulse until finely ground. Add the butter and pulse until the mixture looks like coarse meal. Add 2 tablespoons ice water and pulse until the dough just comes together. Turn out the dough onto a piece of plastic wrap and form into a disk; wrap tightly and refrigerate until slightly firm, about 15 minutes. Unwrap the dough and press evenly into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. Freeze until firm, about 10 minutes.
• Place the tart pan on a baking sheet. Line the crust with foil and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake until the edge of the crust is slightly golden, about 20 minutes. Remove the foil and weights and continue baking until the crust is golden brown all over, 15 to 20 more minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool completely.
• Make the glaze: Combine the diced peach, granulated sugar, lemon zest and juice, and 1 cup water in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook until the peach is soft and the glaze is thickened, about 10 minutes. Remove the lemon zest; let the glaze cool.
• Make the filling: Mix the ricotta, cream cheese, confectioners' sugar and nutmeg in a bowl with a mixer until smooth; spread evenly in the crust. Arrange the sliced peaches on top of the filling in concentric circles. Brush with all but about 1 tablespoon of the glaze. Gently toss the raspberries with the remaining glaze, then scatter on top of the tart along with the remaining toasted almonds. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate up to 4 hours.

Steps:

• Peel and slice the peaches.
• Whisk together 1/4 cup of the sugar, the ascorbic acid, and 1 tablespoon of Signature Secrets or flour (or 1 1/2 teaspoons Instant ClearJel), then mix with the peaches and set aside. Roll the pie crust dough into a 14- to 15-inch circle to fit an 11- to 12-inch tart pan or baking dish. Place it into the pan.
• Stir together the cream, the remaining sugar and thickener, the egg, nutmeg and vanilla; spread over the bottom of the crust. Place the peaches onto the cream filling, arranging them in concentric circles. Spoon any juice from the bowl over the peaches. Fold the edges of the crust in toward the center.
• Bake the tart in a preheated 425°F oven for 20 minutes. Reduce the oven heat to 375°F; tent the edges of the tart with foil, and bake for an additional 30 to 35 minutes. Cool at least 20 minutes before serving. If pie won't be served right away, refrigerate it, and then bring to room temperature before serving. Just before serving, sprinkle with fresh berries and sugar. This is best served the same day.

Steps:

• Place ice cream in refrigerator to soften slightly.
• In a small nonstick pan, melt jam over low heat, stirring, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in water & cool for 5 minutes.
• Set aside 24 raspberries for garnish; add remaining 1 cup to jam mixture & stir gently.
• Spoon cooled raspberry sauce in tart crusts, about 1 tablespoon each.
• Stir together peaches, almond extract & toasted almonds. Remove ice cream from refrigerator, stir it smooth & fold in peach mixture.
• Working quickly, spoon 1/3 cup ice cream atop raspberries in each shell.
• Place pies on a baking sheet & freeze 4-6 hours.
• Before serving, garnish each tart with 2 reserved raspberried.
• **** To toast almonds, heat oven to 350º. Soread nuts on a baking sheet & bake 8-10 minutes. Cool completely.

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, bring water and sugar to a boil. Stir in lemon juice and vanilla. Reduce heat to low. Place peach halves cut side up in pan; cook for 5-8 minutes or until tender. Remove from the heat. Cool peaches in syrup for 30 minutes. , Remove peaches with a slotted spoon and place cut side down in a shallow dish. Cover and refrigerate for 2-4 hours or until chilled., In a small microwave-safe bowl, heat raspberry jam for 20 seconds; stir until smooth. Place peach halves cut side up in dessert dishes. Top with ice cream; drizzle with jam.