Peches Melba

Ingredients

• •6 whole medium firm-ripe peaches
• •1⅓ cups sugar
• •2 cups water
• •1 piece vanilla bean
• •12 oz frozen raspberries
• •½ cup sugar
• •⅓ cup water
• •2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• •2 pint vanilla ice cream

Cooking Instructions

1. 1.

   Cut a shallow X in bottom of each peach with a sharp paring knife and immerse fruit in a 4-quart heavy pot (preferably wide) of boiling water 30 seconds, then transfer with a slotted spoon to a bowl of ice and cold water to stop cooking. Transfer peaches to a cutting board and peel, starting with cut end, then cut in half, discarding pits.

   5 min

2. 2.

   Combine sugar and water in cleaned pot. Halve vanilla bean lengthwise with a paring knife and scrape seeds into pot, then add pod and bring mixture to a boil, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Add peaches, pitted sides down, to sugar syrup, then reduce heat and poach, covered, at a bare simmer 6 minutes. Turn peaches over and continue to poach, covered, until tender, 5 to 6 minutes more.

   15 min

3. 3.

   Cool peaches in poaching liquid in pot, uncovered, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

   90 min

4. 4.

   Force raspberries through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl, pressing hard on solids.

   10 min

5. 5.

   Combine sugar and water in a small heavy saucepan. Cover pan (so condensation will wash any sugar crystals down side of pan) and bring to a boil, then remove lid and boil 2 minutes.

   5 min

6. 6.

   Serve peaches over ice cream and drizzled with sauce.

   5 min