» Vanilla Poached peaches @ Not Quite Nigella

Vanilla Poached peaches

July 26, 2008 by Not Quite Nigella

I love giving food gifts. It might have something to do with the fact that I love receiving them. And homemade but nicely packaged always seems to do it for me. I love the tender blush of white peaches and if they’re slightly on the not sweet enough side, this method of poaching with vanilla sends them into the truly rapturous category.

I used 4 Onyx and 4 Ivoire peaches, the Onyx being paler with more creamy colour whilst the Ivoire exemplified “blushing peach”. Once stripped they looked and tasted similar, which is akin to what Michael Jackson kept signing about in “Black & White”-underneath we’re all the same. Except he is most definitely an Onyx white peach!

Vanilla Poached peaches

8 firm, perfect white peaches
vanilla extract, bean or paste
1 cup sugar
1 cup water

1. Blanch whole peaches in boiling water for 1 minute until skin starts to shrink away from flesh. Remove with slotted spoon carefully

2. When cool enough to handle, peel skin off and cut in half. If you have “cling” peaches where the seed sticks to the flesh, do not remove the seed until later as it will come out easier.

3. Over medium heat, dissolve sugar in water and boil for 5 minutes until syrupy with 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or paste. Once syrupy, add peaches in and cook for 5 minutes. Cool in syrup to infuse vanilla. Remove seed.

4. Place in clean, sterilised* jar. Serve over thick yogurt or with a good quality vanilla ice cream.

* I sterilise jars the easy way, by sticking them in a hot oven for 5-10 minutes.

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1. Carolyn | July 26, 2008 at 3:13 pm | #

mmmm…mouthwatering! Those peaches look so juicy and sweet!!! And with vanilla - I can just imagine the heavenly taste!
2. Sharon(Toronto) | July 27, 2008 at 6:36 am | #

NQN…I love gifting people baked goods and now they’ve come to expect it!Sadly,I never get food from them.

I love your travel pics and if you ever need a travel buddy I’ll clear my schedule…haha!
3. grace | July 27, 2008 at 6:38 am | #

they do indeed sound rapturous. in fact, i don’t think i’ve ever received (or given) a food gift so appealing. bravo!
4. Angela | July 27, 2008 at 8:59 am | #

They look gorgeous! Funnily enough, I poached some peaches the other day with vanilla and wine. They were amazing, so I can very easily imagine how yours would taste
5. Not Quite Nigella | July 27, 2008 at 9:03 pm | #

Hi Carolyn-They were really juicy but not that sweet, so I thought that they needed some sweetening

Hi Sharon-Your lucky friends! Perhaps some strategically placed hints are in order? Hehe you know my trips involve food, food and more food

Hi grace-I gave some to my husband who doth protested that he wasn’t the recipient of the big jar

Hi Angela-Vanilla and wine, interesting! Sounds gorgeous
6. pea and pear | July 29, 2008 at 3:47 pm | #

Oh, that peach being peeled is the prettiest thing I have ever seen. The colour is just gorgeous, YUM!!!!
7. Not Quite Nigella | July 30, 2008 at 8:06 am | #

Hi pea & pear-Thanks! It feels surprisingly good peeling a peach when the skin eases off so easily I became obsessed with capturing their colour, it was so pretty!
8. Maria | August 18, 2008 at 10:21 pm | #

I’ve never received a gift like this before.. it’s one that I’d love. I struggle to eat fruit..but I buy tinned peaches now and again.

Your creation is beautiful
9. Not Quite Nigella | August 19, 2008 at 12:11 am | #

Hi Maria-I struggle to eat fruit too when it isn’t sweet and the fruit in London wasn’t very sweet I found so this was the best thing to do with it Thankyou!