~September~

This is a great time of year...the month of September!  Not only are the juicy fresh Grapes from CA available in our supermarkets, but the luscious large local Peaches can be easily located/purchased at Farmers' Markets and at road side stands.  It took three days for the four hard Peaches to ripen after I purchased them.  I placed them in a brown paper lunch bag, closed the top and placed the bag on my counter. 

This is one week when Peaches will not be used to make a dessert.  A fruit salad containing this fresh juicy fruit is just the best!  Add in a few slices of just right ripened Banana and a few Grapes and a tasty sweet fruit salad awaits!

In the cold winter months I'll think back to the fresh fruit salads that contained no canned (in their juice) fruit.  I'll also remember the beautiful Zinnias that grew in our gardens this summer.  Soon, it'll be time to save/ dry and then store the Zinnia seeds to plant next spring!

Enjoy!

                

Peachy Craisin Crisp

The trip to Calabrese Farms in Southwick, MA on Friday afternoon resulted in purchasing local, fresh, juicy, fragrant Peaches!  If you enjoy making Freezer Jam, as I do, it is time to get moving when the fruit is ripe!  Yesterday a batch of Peach Freezer Jam was prepared.  In a couple of hours it will be stored in our large freezer downstairs.  The afternoon began with preparing Freezer Jam and ended with one very tasty dessert - Peachy Craisin Crisp.  Yummy!  

It has become a tradition for me to bake this scrumptious dessert after making the jam.  I'm sure it's due to the fact that not only are the juicy 6 - 7 Peaches in my fridge, but my kitchen counters and stove contain all of the necessary utensils.  My rose colored Pyrex container can be located quickly.  It's 8" x 8" size is perfect to use.  The combination of Peaches and of dried Cranberries is scrumptious in this dessert with an oat topping. 

***After washing the Peaches in cold water, the skins of the fruit need to be removed.  To remove the skin easily, carefully place each Peach in simmering water for about 35 seconds.  Using a slotted spoon, remove each Peach and place on a plate to cool.  When the fruit can be comfortably handled, peel and cut fruit into slices.  :)
 
Peachy Craisin Crisp

Oven Temperature:  375° F    
Baking Time:  About 45 Minutes

Ingredients:
6 - 7 sliced Peaches
2/3 Cup Brown Sugar
1/2 Cup Flour
1/2 Cup Old Fashioned Oats
3/4 tsp. Cinnamon
3/4 tsp. Nutmeg
1/3 Cup softened Butter or Margarine
1/4 Cup Craisins (dried cranberries)

Method:

1. Preheat oven.
2. Spray PAM in glass baking dish.
3. Place sliced Peaches in baking dish.  Sprinkle on Craisins and mix.
4. In small bowl combine remaining ingredients thoroughly.  Sprinkle over Peaches.
5. Bake 45 minutes or until Peaches are tender.  
6. Serve warm or cold topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
7. After cool, cover and refrigerate any leftovers. 

This is a great dessert filled with slices of fresh fruit!  An added plus is that there is no pie crust to roll out on a warm summer day if this delicious fresh dessert is prepared.  Sweet!  Do you bake using fresh peaches?  

Yummy!
Enjoy! 

   

     

Blue Skies and Grilled Swordfish!

Today, we are enjoying a very comfortable day here in Western Massachusetts! The Peachy Craisin Crisp is baking in my oven and tonight our outdoor grill will be used! Ahhh, this week the seafood department in my local grocery store has a special on fresh “wild” Swordfish. So … tonight for dinner we will enjoy eating Grilled Swordfish, a microwaved “baked” potato and a fresh garden salad. Guess what we are having for dessert?

The preparation for Grilled Swordfish is very easy, the grilling time for the fish is not long, and the results are so yummy!

Grilled Swordfish

1 lb. Swordfish Fillet (serves 2)

1. On a large dish pour about 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil.
2. Sprinkle a little Paprika on top.
3. After rinsing Swordfish Fillet in running cold water, place on the Olive Oil/Paprika.
4. Turn the fish over to coat the other side.
5. Place fish on heated Grill.
6. Grill about 5 – 7 minutes on each side, until fish flakes easily with a fork. Grilling Time depends on size & thickness of fillet.

Seafood tastes great! Preparing it at home is the best! Using the outdoor grill just tops it off!

Do you enjoy eating fish? What is your favorite? Do you grill it?

Enjoy!
Yummy!

Peachy Craisin Crisp

The local peaches are so juicy and so delicious! I am fortunate that a veggie/fruit stand in my area sells this delicious fruit and it can be purchased in large quantities. The Peach trees are located not far away. Now, my fruit bins in the fridge are full of peaches. Yummy! Biting into a ripened juicy cold peach is the best! After making two batches of delicious Peach Freezer Jam there are still more peaches to enjoy. I made a tasty dessert - Peachy Craisin Crisp. The recipe was easily found, because I used my Apple Crisp recipe - substituting fresh peaches for apples.

*** To easily peel off the Peach skin before cutting into slices – Carefully, place each cleaned, ripened peach in simmering water for about 35 seconds. Remove the peaches from the hot water with a slotted spoon and cool on a plate. When the fruit can be comfortably handled, it can be peeled and cut into slices.

Peachy Craisin Crisp

Oven temperature: 375°

Baking Time: About 45 minutes

Ingredients:
6 – 8 peeled sliced Peaches
¾ cup Brown Sugar
½ cup Flour
½ cup (Old Fashioned) Oats
¾ tsp. Cinnamon
¾ tsp. Nutmeg
1/3 cup softened Butter or Margarine
¼ cup Craisins

Method:
1. Preheat oven.
2. Spray PAM in 8”x 8”glass Baking Pan.
3. Place sliced Peaches in Pan. Sprinkle in Craisins and mix.
4. Mix remaining ingredients thoroughly in small bowl. Sprinkle over Peaches.
5. Bake 45 minutes or until Peaches are tender.
6. Serve warm or chilled with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
7. After cool, cover and refrigerate any leftovers.

Do you bake desserts using peaches? The fresh fruit is delicious!

Enjoy!!
Yummy!!