Balsamic Blueberries & Peaches with Black Pepper

Balsamic Blueberries & Peaches with Black Pepper
Adapted from Gourmet, Lillian Chou

I have one word to describe this recipe. Wow! I had blueberries and peaches in my refrigerator that needed to be used. Lacking my own inspiration, I turned to the internet for ideas and I landed on this recipe. What caught my attention was the black pepper. Now I know what you're thinking but trust me on this one, you will love it. This warm fruit syrup on cold vanilla bean ice cream is magic.

Makes: 4

Ingredients:
3 tablespoons sugar, or to taste
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 cups blueberries
4 large peaches, sliced
1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (start with 1/4 and add more to suit your taste)

Directions:
1. Boil sugar, balsamic vinegar and 1 cup of blueberries in a medium saucepan. Stir for 1 minute and remove from heat.

2. Combine remaining blueberries with the peach slices in a large bowl. Toss fruit with hot blueberry balsamic syrup and black pepper.

3. Add more sugar to taste (I didn't need anymore sugar).

4. Let the fruit stand for 10 minutes. Serve warm with vanilla bean ice cream (see recipe below)

David Lebovitz's Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

Makes: About 1 quart

Ingredients:
1 cup milk
A pinch of salt
3/4 cups sugar
1 vanilla bean
5 egg yolks
2 cup heavy cream
A few drops of vanilla extract

Directions:
1. Heat the milk, salt, and sugar in a saucepan. Split the vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape the seeds into the milk with the tip of a paring knife. Add the bean pod to the milk.

2. Stir together the egg yolks in a bowl and gradually add some of the warmed milk, stirring constantly as you pour. Pour the warmed yolks back into the saucepan.

3. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly and scraping the bottom with a heat-resistant spatula until the custard thickens enough to coat the spatula. Strain the custard into the heavy cream. Rinse the vanilla bean and put it back into the custard and cream to continue steeping. Chill thoroughly, then remove the vanilla bean and freeze in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturers instructions.

15 comments:

eatingclubvancouver_js said...

I love this -- and great instincts with the black pepper. I can imagine this dessert being just beyond delicious, with the balsamic, the blueberries, and the peaches, and the pepper. Wonderful!

Unknown said...

sounds divine! i'd never thought of this, but i can imagine the taste dancin together ^_^

Hyperion said...

This looks great. the blueberries have held up well in the sauce, and the peaches look nice and thick.

Anonymous said...

Bluberries with peper sound delicious, adding vannila ice cream...gonna take you to nirvana and back :D

Anonymous said...

Can I just tell you? I think you cook like I do. (I hope you're not offended!) Really a shame you are so far away 'cause I am up to my elbows in wedding shower food and could use a good hand. Actually thought about adding the almonds to my menu, but I may be cutting things as opposed to adding! :-) Procrastinating right now...your blog a good diversion!

Neen said...

Actually, the black pepper and balsamic vinegar look really exciting. I'm always super interested by crazy combinations, especially with sweet ingredients like fruit, because it moves the whole dish from "yay, fresh fruit" to mind-blowingly awesome. Unfortunately, I'll have to pass on the ice cream recipe, since we don't have an ice cream maker, but I can always lust after yours! :)

Lo said...

Mmm. What more is there to say?

I love salt/pepper in sweet dishes, though I don't use it often enough at ALL! And I have to agree -- hot fruit with cold icecream... to die for.

Patricia Scarpin said...

Dragon, I'm curious about the addition of black pepper - this looks so good!

Adam said...

That definitely caught my eye too. What a combo! It has heat, cool, sweet, and spicy. I love it. You've got some genius in there :)

Hey, you're totally on your way to being perfect too :)

Anonymous said...

I really need to try the whole balsamic and berry gig. Thanks for reminding me!

Natasha said...

I have yet to try any kind of fruit/balsamic combo. I have a bottle of balsamic that I don't really know what to do with (don't like the flavor in salads), so I guess I'm gonna have to try this!

Anonymous said...

This was just the type of syrup I was looking for when I made David Lebovitz' vanilla ice cream just last month! I love berries with balsamic and the black pepper sounds like the perfect pop of heat. Oh well...guess I'll have no choice but to make more ice cream :-)

Dee said...

I always come back to this particular recipe of David's. Mmm... love the black pepper touch in your compote :)

Dragon said...

js: It really is good.

rita: Dancing is a great way to describe the flavours!

hyperion: Thanks!

zita: Who would want to come back?

dawnielle: That would not offend me, darling. It's a compliment. :) And you know I'd be there in your kitchen helping you prepare!

neen: I'm getting braver with my cooking and flavour combinations. It's an adventure.

lo: I love the way to top of the ice cream starts to melt.....mmmmmmmmm, heaven.

patricia: Give it a try, Patricia. You won't go back.

adam: ....blushing....

noble: Let me know how it turns out.

natascha: You won't regret it!

paninikathy: I'm sure you needed another excuse to make ice cream :)

dee: David rocks!

Jeanne said...

Great minds think alike - I made somethign a lot like this the other night with nectarines and cherries, only far less healthy ;-)

 
Dragon's Kitchen - Copyright 2007-2010