WITH ICE CREAM & AGED BALSAMIC
This lovely sweet-and-savory dessert is perfect for dinner guests when peaches are in season. I love the slightly sweet finish of good-quality balsamic vinegar, but balsamic that has been aged over a decade takes it to the next level. I don’t use this rich, syrupy vinegar in vinaigrettes. Rather, I like to save it for drizzling on fresh fruit and cheese.
| PREP: 10 minutes | COOK: under 10 minutes | COOL: none |
4 tablespoons (½ stick) salted butter, melted, plus softened butter for the baking dish
4 peaches, peeled, halved, and pitted
¼ cup honey
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
1 pint vanilla ice cream
2 tablespoons aged balsamic vinegar
1. Position a rack in the middle of the oven and turn the broiler to high. Butter a 9 x 13-inch baking dish.
2. Arrange the peach halves cut side down in the dish. Broil until browned in spots, about 3 minutes, watching carefully to keep them from burning. Flip the peaches over. Drizzle with the melted butter and the honey and sprinkle with the pepper. Broil until browned and bubbling, 4 to 5 more minutes.
3. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with the thyme.
4. Scoop ice cream into dessert bowls. Divide the peaches and the pan juices over the ice cream. Drizzle with balsamic and serve at once.
Makes 4 servings
