...peach love

My mother often says that if she had to choose one food to eat for the rest of her life it would be a potato because it is so versatile. We had the same discussion at cooking club and I remember some of the responses were "salad" and "pizza" for the same reason.

I would choose peaches. I don't need versatility. I could eat peaches everyday for the rest of my life and be happy. (In fact, my husband gave me a big box like the one pictured above as a wedding gift and I couldn't have been happier! And...not one went bad.) Peaches are my all-time favorite food. Not just my favorite fruit. I like them better than ANY food. I would rather have a bowl of peaches and milk than the most decadent chocolate cake. It's true.

I bought that big box of peaches pictured above today and am so excited to start devouring. I am starting by making my grandma's peach pie, but can't wait for tomorrow morning when I will eat them my favorite way: sliced with a little brown sugar and milk. YUM! No...I will not be canning any of those lovelies. I couldn't bear it. I need to eat them fresh.

If I can't eat them fresh, these are two of my other favorite ways to eat peaches:

Grandma's Peach Pie
1 baked 9-inch pie shell
5-6 large peaches
1 c sugar
2 tbsp cornstarch
1/2 c water
1 tsp vanilla
2 tbsp butter

Slice the 3-4 large peaches into baked pie shell. In a blender, slightly blend the 2 other peaches, sugar, cornstarch and water. Pour mixture into a saucepan. Cook over medium heat until it begins to boil, whisking constantly. Let boil until think and clear (abt 1 minute.) Remove from heat and add vanilla and butter. Pour over peaches in pie shell and chill for several hours until set. Serve with whipping cream or ice cream.

Peach Muffins
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups vegetable oil
3 eggs, lightly beaten
2 cups white sugar
2 cups peeled, pitted, and chopped peaches

Preheat oven to 400°F. Line muffin cups with cupcake liners. (Or grease. Whichever you prefer.) Mix the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. In another bowl, mix the oil, eggs, and sugar. Mix the dry and liquid mixtures together just until moist. (Please don't over mix quickbreads. It makes them chewy. You'll be sad.) Fold in the peaches. Spoon into muffin cups. Bake 25 minutes.

Oh...and speaking of peaches. Have you seen the pie my sister-in-law made? It looks like serious heaven. Maybe if enough of us ask, we can get her to post the recipe...