I knew I wanted to combine peaches and basil for a tasty summer dessert, but none of the recipes I came across seemed quite right. I wanted something simple, something that would really focus on these delicious, seasonal ingredients – peaches from the farmers market and basil from my garden. So I created my own easy recipe. Basil leaves pureed with orange juice and honey then poured over peaches (I actually used a mix of peaches and nectarines). You only need a handful of ingredients and a couple of minutes of work to create this delicious concoction – great eaten plain but absolutely fantastic served over strained yogurt (straining yogurt makes it extra thick and creamy, just perfect for desserts). A wonderful little celebration of summer!
Peaches in Basil Syrup
Yield: 6 – 8 servings
Ingredients:
- 1 cup basil leaves
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 2 Tbsp honey
- 3 – 4 peaches (or nectarines), roughly chopped
- strained yogurt (optional)*
*Spoon a container of yogurt into a cheesecloth-lined strainer placed over a bowl, and let drain in the refrigerator overnight. You can also use Greek yogurt.
Method:
- In a blender or using an immersion blender
, combine 1 cup basil leaves, 1/4 cup orange juice, and 2 Tbsp honey, and puree until smooth.
- Pour the basil mixture over 3 – 4 peaches (or nectarines), roughly chopped, and let marinate for at least 15 minutes and up to overnight.
- Serve over strained yogurt, if using. The peaches can also be served over ice cream or eaten plain. Drizzle with a little extra honey, if desired.
