A Peach of a Meal

To me, nothing signifies the arrival of summer like the appearance of fresh, local peaches. My friend Jenn was visiting South Carolina last week and picked up a whole bunch of peaches at the Columbia farmers’ market. When she graciously offered to give us a dozen or so, I began to think about ways to use them before they spoiled. Like every rational person I decided that I should cook an Iron Chef-style meal with peaches as the key ingredient.

So, Jenn, Robin, Harry, Joe, Jon, and I sat down to dinner last night and somehow miraculously escaped developing type two diabetes over the course of the meal. After testing recipes, I was pleasantly surprised how versatile peaches can be. From a spicy glaze for your favorite protein to a crisp, refreshing summer beverage, this culinary experiment proves that layering flavors is a great way to draw out less obvious notes of common ingredients.


Beverage:
Bellini

First Course:
Chilled Peach Soup (from the Blue Fox Guild)

Main Course:
Spicy Peach Glazed Baked Tofu
Savory Stuffed Peaches
Sweet Potato Peach Casserole

Dessert:
Vegan Peach Ice Cream