Peach Almond Crumble & Goat Cheese Ice Cream

I love how the juices bubble up through the crumble! Makes such a statement!

There is something captivating about a perfectly ripe peach.  Their natural sweetness and vibrant color bring summer to life.  This time of year I like to take full advantage of them, so when I was asked to participate in the How2heroes lunchtime cooking series at the Cambridge Center Farmers' Market I knew it was going to be peachy!
I wanted to demo a dessert that would really highlight the peaches so I decided to go with my peach and almond crumble.  Crumbles are fabulous for a few reasons. They really showcase the fruit you're using, they are always a real crowd pleaser, and they are super easy to throw together.  That last one is especially helpful when you're doing this outdoors in about 95 degree weather!

Explaining that you can bake the crumble in individual ramekins or a 9"x13" pan

The demo went really well, and the crumble turned out wonderful!  The secret ingredient in this crumble is almond extract.  I added about a teaspoon to the peaches which gave the dessert an extra kick.  I also added sliced almonds to the crumble topping which toasted up while the crumble baked lending an extra layer of flavor and texture to the finished product.  This was the first time I was filmed live in front of a crowd, and it was a lot of fun!  Everyone enjoyed the crumble and it was really nice getting to chat with everyone!



While I was doing my demo I mentioned that I would add some sass to the crumble by serving it with a scoop of goat cheese ice cream.  Later that evening I couldn't get the goat cheese ice cream out of my head so I immediately got to work on my new ice cream!  All I have to say is this is my new favorite ice cream!  I used light brown sugar in it which melds perfectly with the goat cheese.  You get this kind of earthy flavor first and then you get the slight tanginess from the goat cheese.  I also made a cherry and Amaretto sauce to drizzle on top.  The end result of this whole dessert is fabulous!  First you have the warm peach crumble bursting with summer flavor.  Next you have the cool and tangy goat cheese ice cream.  Last you have the cherry and Amaretto sauce which ties back beautifully to the almond flavor in the crumble.  The crumble and the goat cheese ice cream are both great on their own, but served together with the sauce is simply divine!

All dressed up with goat cheese ice cream, cherry & Amaretto sauce, and toasted almonds

Fruit Filling

• 2 lbs. peaches sliced
• 1/4-1/2 cup sugar
• 1t. almond extract
• 1/4 cup flour

1. Toss peaches with 1/4 cup of sugar and almond extract and set aside.

Crumble

• 1 cup flour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup light brown sugar
• 1t. salt
• 1 stick unsalted butter cubed and cold
• 1/2 cup quick cooking oats
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds

1. Mix together flour, sugars, and salt.
2. Cut in butter with a pastry cutter, or pulse in a food processor till the butter resembles coarse cornmeal.
3. Stir in oats and almonds.

Assembly

1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Taste peaches to see if you need to add more sugar.
3. Add flour to fruit & toss to coat.
4. Fill 4 individual ramekins or a 9"x13" baking dish with fruit.  Pack crumble on top.
5. Bake ramekins for 30-35 minutes, or 9"x13" for 55-60 minutes till the crumble is golden and the filling is bubbling up through the crumble.

Goat Cheese Ice Cream

• 1 & 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup half & half
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 4 yolks
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 4 oz. goat cheese
• 3T. light corn syrup

1. Bring heavy cream, half & half, and sugar to a simmer.
2. Whisk yolks and brown sugar together in bowl and slowly add in hot cream mixture whisking constantly.
3. Once you whisk in about half the cream mixture, transfer everything back to the pot.
4. Cook over low heat stirring constantly till thickened, about 2-4 minutes.
5. Remove from the heat and strain.  Stir in goat cheese and light corn syrup.
6. Refrigerate and process according to manufacturer's directions.

Cherry & Amaretto Sauce

• 6oz. halved cherries
• 1T. sugar
• Amaretto

1. Toss cherries and sugar in a saute pan over medium heat till juices release and start to get thick and bubbly.
2. Add in a good splash of Amaretto and let the cherries get happy for about a minute.
3. Remove and serve warm over ice cream.