What's Fresh?

By Alexis Sheere

Welcome to Yakima, where in this season of...er...well, summer-ish fall... Honestly, September is a bit of an in-between month. The worst of the heat is over, and the kids are back in school, but the leaves have yet to turn, and the classic fall harvests, such as apples and pumpkin, are not yet fully in swing.

So what is fresh? What’s coming off the trees right now in Yakima? Well, there are pears, plums, prunes – peppers, although they don’t grow on trees – and probably the most popular:

Peaches!

Just last week I had the pleasure of trying a homegrown peach from a cute little tree. The succulent fruit was as big as both my fists put together, and sun-warmed; fresh off the tree. Is there any better way to eat peaches then that?

Oh, yes there is!

There are lots of ways to enjoy these golden beauties, but I’m going to share with two you. This first recipe is a “company” dish; it looks lovely, but is quite easy to assemble. The result will be light, fresh, and delicious. Now without further ado, I give you:

Classy Peach Trifle

Needed

• 3 cups vanilla yogurt
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 carton (8 ounces) thawed whipped topping
• 1 prepared angel food cake (8 to 10 ounces), cut into 1-inch cubes
• 6 peaches

Instructions
Prepare the peaches; if you want them pealed, do so first. Then pit and slice the peaches, and toss them in lemon juice.

Mix the yogurt; add the lemon zest and vanilla to the yogurt and stir to combine.

Begin construction; (if you don’t have a trifle bowl, use a 2-quart glass serving bowl instead, for maximum appreciation of the dish.) In the trifle bowl layer in order: about 1/3 of the cake cubes — 1 cup of yogurt — peaches, about 1 ½ cups – and whipped topping, about 1/3 of the container. Repeat twice, and garnish with the remaining peaches.

Serves 10.

That dish may be simple, but this one is even easier. It goes great after an evening of grilling, but I can assure you, it’s worth it to fire up the grill just for these. Just make sure you have the ice cream standing by!

Lazy Man’s Peaches

Needed

• 1 peach per person
• Cinnamon
• Brown Sugar

Instructions
Fire up the grill: it should be about 350ºF, or as they say, “medium” heat.

Prepare the peaches: cut them in half and pit them. Brush both sides with oil or spray with a neutral cooking spray, either one will work to keep them from sticking.

Put ‘em on there: put the peaches flesh side down on the grill, making sure they aren’t touching. Cook until grill marks form – about 4 minutes — then flip those suckers over.

Now that the flesh side is up, sprinkle on some brown sugar and cinnamon. The cinnamon is a must, as this is what really make the dish. Continuing grilling until tender, about another 5 minutes.

Serve with vanilla ice cream and enjoy.

MMMMMMmmmmmmMMM

Every time.