Poached Nectarines Recipes

Steps:

• With a paring knife, lightly score an "X" into bottom of nectarines (this will help with peeling later). Place in a medium pot, along with granulated sugar, vanilla, liqueur, if using, and enough water to cover. Bring to a boil over medium-high. Cover and reduce heat. Simmer until nectarines are easily pierced with a knife, 10 to 14 minutes, depending on size. With a slotted spoon, transfer nectarines to a medium bowl. When cool enough to handle, peel and return to syrup.
• In a medium bowl, using an electric mixer, beat cream and confectioners' sugar on high until stiff peaks form, about 3 minutes. Serve nectarines with some poaching liquid and a dollop of whipped cream.

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, combine wine, sugar, cinnamon sticks, lemon peel, and 5 cups water. Place over medium heat, and stir until sugar is dissolved. Gently place nectarines in the liquid. Add more water if needed to cover nectarines. Place a square of cheesecloth over the fruit, and top with a small plate to keep fruit submerged.
• Increase heat to high, and bring liquid to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, and cook until nectarines are tender but not soft, about 5 minutes. Remove nectarines from liquid, and allow to cool
• Return liquid to a boil, and cook until reduced to a syrup that will coat the back of spoon, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat, and cool.
• Cut nectarines in half, and remove pit. Place two halves on serving plate. Drizzle with syrup. Top each half with a dollop of crème fraîche and a sprig of mint.

Steps:

• In a medium stockpot, combine the tea bags, sugar, and vanilla with 4 cups of water. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to a simmer, and stir until the sugar is dissolved.
• Add the nectarines and cook for 2 minutes, or until the skins are slightly loosened. Using a slotted spoon, remove the nectarines to a bowl.
• Using a vegetable peeler or sharp paring knife, peel each nectarine, allowing the juices to collect in the bowl. Return the nectarines and collected juices to the poaching liquid and cook for 10 minutes more.
• Transfer the fruit to a plate. Using a slotted spoon, remove the tea bags and vanilla bean and discard. Raise the heat to high and cook the poaching liquid until it is reduced to a thick syrup, about 15 minutes.
• Place the nectarines in individual serving dishes and drizzle the glace over each.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Sit the nectarine halves snugly in a baking dish, cut-side up. Put the amaretti biscuits into a large bowl and use the end of a rolling pin to bash into crumbs. Add the softened butter, ground almonds, caster sugar and egg, and stir together.
• Push spoonfuls of the mixture into the cavities of the nectarines, piling more on top until the mixture is evenly divided among them. Scatter with almonds, then carefully pour the Marsala into the dish through a gap between the fruit so the topping doesn't get soggy. Bake for 40-50 mins until golden and crisp, and the fruit is soft. Eat warm with the juices spooned over, and a dollop of Greek yogurt or crème fraîche alongside.