Slow-Cooker Cinnamon Stone Fruit Compote

low and slow...

To finish up my rainbow series on slow-cooker recipes I've made an easy dessert. With frosty evenings on the horizon this recipe is perfect to warm you up. I suggest serving this dessert with pound or angle food cake, but you can also serve this over vanilla ice cream. If you are like me, I can eat ice cream in the dead of winter. So, it's a viable option for this dessert.

My fruit compote is great for a group get together. I've combined three different stone-fruits (fruits that have a pit in the middle) with dried figs, orange juice, apricot nectar, and cinnamon sticks. These fruits mull together in the slow cooker with the fruit juices, soaking up most of the liquid and re-hydrating the dried fruits. All the while the fruits are infused with a wonderful cinnamon spice. Make this for your next dinner party. Here's how...

Ingredients - Serves 8
16 oz. Bag Frozen Unsweetened Pealed Peaches
1/2 C Dried Tart Cherries
1/2 C Dried Apricots
1/2 C Dried Figs, stems removed
1/2 C Orange Juice
1/2 C Apricot Nectar
3 Cinnamon Sticks
To Serve: Fresh Mint & Pound Cake, Angel Food Cake, or Vanilla Ice Cream

Directions
Prepare your slow-cooker.

Make the compote: Combine all of the ingredients in the slow-cooker. Cover and cook on low heat for 5-6 hours or on high for 2 1/2-3 hours.

Serve: Remove the cinnamon sticks, discard. Slice the cake or scoop ice cream into bowls. Top with the compote and a sprig of mint. Enjoy!

Long Island Peach Iced Tea

cheers to my 100th post...

Summer is coming to a close. The kids are going back to school, the weather is changing, and the days are getting shorter. It's amazing just how quickly summer flies by; and just time in general. Sitting on the front porch is a pass-time few can enjoy these days. It's a luxury really. But, if you can find the time, this is the perfect cocktail.

My Long Island Peach Iced Tea should be enjoyed in these final weeks of summer. A fruit forward, chilled drink, perfect for relaxing and sipping, this cocktail is like summer in a glass. The peach flavored vodka, schnapps, and nectar take this classic cocktail to the next level. Make this drink to relax, reflect, and slow down for the final bit of summer. Here's how...

Ingredients - Makes 2 Drinks
1 oz. Peach Flavored Vodka (suggest Pinnacle)
1 oz. Gin
1 oz. White Rum
1 oz. Sliver Tequila
1/2 oz. Peach Schnapps
2 T Peach Nectar
1/2 C Cola, to taste
Garnish: 1 Peach, cut into wedges

Directions
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Pour in the vodka, gin, rum, tequila, schnapps, and nectar. Cover and shake vigorously to mix well and chill. Divide the mixture between two glasses (ice too) and top off with the cola and more ice, as needed. Garnish with a peach slice. Serve and slowly sip. Cheers!

Grilled Fish Tacos w/ Fresh Peach Salsa

this recipe is just peachy-keen...

I visited my family in Huntington, WV this past weekend. I planned the trip in so that I could swim in my Papaul's pool one more time - he says this is the last time he'll be opening it but, we will see. Unfortunately, the weather didn't cooperate (it was cloudy and a little cold) but, that didn't stop me. I still got in. It was fun to reminisce about the things we did (as kids) in that pool. So, many memories! One thing we always did on those summer days was cookout. So, in keeping with tradition, my husband and I made a big meal with the help of our family.

The star of the meal was my fresh peach salsa. Peaches, tomatoes, peppers, onion, and more are chopped up, mixed together, and served. I served this salsa with both grilled fish and pork and some other taco fixings. While I don't eat pork, I was told the rub I made (same as the fish with the addition of onion powder) was delicious. So, try this with what you like, even a chip will do. Here's how to make it...

Ingredients - Serves 8-10
Peach Salsa
4 Peaches, peeled, pitted, & diced
4 Roma Tomatoes, diced
1 Red Bell Pepper, diced
1/2 Red Onion, fine diced
1 Jalapeno, seeded & fine diced
1 Chipotle in Adobo, chopped + 1 T sauce
1 Lime, juiced
1-2 tsp. Granulated Sugar

Grilled Fish & Fixings

1 T Smoked Paprika
1 T Chile Powder
1/2 T Ground Cumin
1/4 tsp. Cayenne Pepper
1 tsp. Kosher Salt
1/2 tsp. Black Pepper
6 Tilapia Fillets
Olive Oil
Corn/Flour Tortillas
Optional Fixings: Lime Wedges, Sour Cream, & Cilantro

Directions
Begin by making the salsa: Combine the peaches, tomatoes, red pepper, onion, jalapeno, chipotle, adobo sauce, lime juice, and sugar in a large bowl. Toss everything together and taste. As needed, adjust the sugar. Cover and refrigerate at least 3 hours.

Prepare the fish: In a small bowl combine the spices, salt, and pepper. Place the fish on a tray and drizzle with a little olive oil. Sprinkle the spice rub on both sides and rub to coat the fish well. Set aside for 10 minutes.

Grill the fish: Meanwhile, heat the grill to med-high. Then add the fish and cook until opaque all the way through, 4-5 minutes per side. Remove to a plate, cool a bit, then cut into pieces. Grill the tortillas, if desired.

Assemble the tacos: On a tortilla place a few pieces of fish, 2-3 T peach salsa, sour cream, and cilantro, if desired. Serve with a lime wedge and your favorite Mexican sides. Enjoy!

Grilled Peach, Quinoa, & Arugula Salad

movin' to the country, gonna eat a lot of peaches...

This is probably one of the dumbest songs, but so catchy. I think of it any time I think about peaches, which will be a lot over the next week as I create recipes to post here. This recipe is a great summer side. It can easily be made ahead of time and travels well. Steven and I went on a picnic yesterday at Ault Park and we brought this salad along. It was a great addition to our meal.

The base of this salad is quinoa (keen-wah). If you've never cooked with quinoa don't worry, it cooks just like rice. This whole grain is much healthier though and it's full of protein and is gluten-free. The star of the salad, however, is the grilled peaches. They provide sweetness to an otherwise nutty salad. Make this side, pack a picnic, and visit one of your local parks. Here's how...

Ingredients - Serves 6-8
1 C Quinoa
2 Semi-firm Peaches, washed & dried
3 T Olive Oil, divided
1 Orange, juiced
4 C Arugula
3 T Parsley, chopped
3 T Mint, chopped
1/3 C Sliced Almonds
3-4 oz. Goat Cheese, crumbled
Kosher Salt & Black Pepper

Directions
Preheat a grill or grill pan to med-high heat.

Begin by making the quinoa: In a fine-mesh strainer, rinse the quinoa. This removes a coating from the grains that can be bitter. Bring 1 3/4 C water to a boil in a saucepan. Add the quinoa, cover, and reduce the heat to low. Simmer until the water is absorbed, 10-15 minutes. Remove from the heat, keep covered, and rest for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and transfer to a bowl to cool.

Grill the peaches: Meanwhile, half and pit each peach. Scoop out the red flesh from around the pit. Rub 1/2 T olive oil on the cut side. Sprinkle with a little salt and pepper. Grill until marked and beginning to soften, about 5 minutes. Remove from the grill to cool. Dice into 1 inch pieces and set aside.

Make the dressing: In a small bowl combine the orange juice, 1/2 tsp. salt, and pepper. Slowly stream in the remaining olive oil (2 1/2 T), whisking to emulsify the dressing. Set aside.


Build the salad: In a large bowl combine the quinoa, peaches, arugula, parsley, mint, and almonds. Pour on the dressing and toss to combine. Taste for seasoning and adjust as needed. Plate (or serve from the bowl) and top with the crumbled goat cheese. Serve at room temperature. Enjoy!