"peaches" news and stories

Georgia peach. Photo: totalAldo, Flickr

• In an attempt to balance her family's budget, one Ohioan came up with a $5 Dinner Web site and turned frugality into money-making.
• Tickets have gone on sale for Cleveland's Fabulous Food Show.
• Little Italy's new eatery Etna is a gem with simple Italian fare.
• Red Truck's Pinot Noir is ideal for summer with fruit that's "smooth, fairly full and subtly tannic on the finish."
• Southern Tier's Phin & Matt's Extraordinary Ale might not completely live up to its moniker, but is still a "very good ale."
• Recipe: Shortcake with Peaches and Cream

Gena's peachy bread pudding. Photo: Erica George Dines Photography

Part of a continuing summer series by grilling expert Gena Knox.

Growing up in Georgia, my summer jobs always revolved around produce. From the time I was eight years old, I worked selling boiled peanuts, silver queen corn and peaches on the side of the road.

Once I turned 16 and could drive, I began working at a local packing shed, Lane Packing, selling peaches and peach ice cream in their retail department. At the time, it was not air-conditioned, and you can only imagine how sweltering it was in July. I gave tours to Northerners, who were fascinated by the process of packing peaches, and was always entertained when I had to explain exactly what boiled peanuts were.

Needless to say, peaches were ample in our household and we never ran out of ways to cook with them. Fresh peaches not only pair well with grilled meats and seafood, they are also delicious simply grilled on their own.

Three of the state's top-producing peach farms are within a 15-mile radius of my hometown. Lane Packing Company, Taylor Orchards and Pearson Farm all produce top quality peaches, and you are missing out on the taste of summer if you don't order a box to enjoy yourself.

Get my Bourbon Peach Bread Pudding Recipe after the jump.

There's been a lot of talk about summer cooking on the interwebs recently. It's the end of the season and the available produce is ridiculously abundant. However, who wants to spend too much time in a hot kitchen when the outdoor mercury is also near to bursting out of the top of the thermostat?

If you're one of the many people who prefer easier cooking in the summer, here's a round up of recipes for you.

1. Try some crispy tilapia with pico de gallo sauce.
2. These kefta and zucchini kebabs will make you want to light the grill.
3. Here's a super easy steakhouse style dinner that's on the table pretty quickly.
4. Maybe not as seasonal, this Bucatini ai fagioli still looks simple and delicious.
5. Eggplant mini pizzas are seasonal, easy and tasty.
6. A Pinot Noir and cherry soup could make a perfect summer starter.
7. How can you get a better summer dessert than grilled peaches?
8. A simple, seasonal ratatouille is an ultimate summer meal.

This past July fourth, I celebrated Independence Day with family by concocting a drink inspired by an Italian Bellini. In a large champagne flute, I poured peach nectar and champagne. The combination created a heavenly delicate flavor and a wonderfully creamy textured drink. I used a wooden skewer to mix the peach nectar that beautifully settled towards the bottom of the glass.

Not only did the combination taste great, but aesthetically, it looked marvelous. The champagne sat on top of the peach nectar and assumed a light pink color. On the bottom of the flute, the nectar appeared bright red. I nearly hesitated to mix the two layers fearing that I'd lose the beauty of this cocktail masterpiece. Although I put the peach nectar in the flute first, you can do it in the reverse order. The pink colored layers would just be reversed. Next time you're entertaining, I highly suggest you make this drink.

As much as I love champagne, I think it was the gorgeous peach nectar that made this drink sublime. This artisanal nectar is produced by Emmanuelle Baillard in the village of Merceuil, in the region of Burgundy in France. Each bottle consists of 54 percent peach pulp. The rest is water and sugar. I highly recommend Baillard's various nectars.

What are some interesting cocktails you've tried recently?

Grilled fruit is a healthy alternative dessert, and easy in the summer when the grill is already going. Almost any fruit can be grilled as long as it holds its shape through the process. smaller fruits can be skewered along with chunks of larger fruits. A side of sauce or cream for dipping is a good addition to your caramelized treats, as well as a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Trying this out couldn't be easier. Get some ripe pears and peaches but not too ripe. Quarter, core, and peel each one into four wedges. Grill until caramelized and smoky, and serve with a small mound of whipped cream on the side. I grilled the ones pictured here earlier in the day and then hid them in the fridge for later. No one complained about not having cookies or cake that night!