Raspberry & Peach Tart

This is one of my favorite Summer desserts, easy, fresh and delicious! I make many variations of this recipe depending on the season and what's fresh. My friend let me pick some raspberries from his garden and I thought they would go well in this dish. I did cheat and use canned peaches, but I actually prefer them to fresh because they don't brown and have a slightly firm texture compared to fresh.

Raspberry & Peach Tart

Tart Pastry
1/2 Cup Cold Butter, cubed
1 1/4 Cups Flour
1 Egg Yolk, beaten
2-3 Tablespoons Ice Water

In a mixing bowl cut butter into flour until pieces are pea sized. Stir together egg yolk and 1 tablespoon of the ice water. Gradually stir egg yolk mixture into flour mixture. Add remaining water, 1 tablespoon at a time, till all the dough is moistened. Gently knead the dough just till a ball forms. Press into the bottom of a 12 inch tart pan. Poke all over with a fork and bake at 350 degrees until just lightly browned, about 12 minutes, set aside to cool.



Tart
2 Cups Fresh Raspberries (or any other berry that's in season)
1 28-Ounce Can Peaches in heavy syrup, drained and juice reserved
2 8-Ounce Packages Cream Cheese, at room temperature
1/2 Cup Sugar
1 Teaspoon Corn Starch

Start by making the filling: Beat cream cheese and sugar together with just enough peach juice to create a thick frosting consistency. Spread over bottom of cooled tart pastry.
Next cut peaches into 1/4 inch thick slices and arrange along with berries to cover cream cheese.
To make the glaze, in a small sauce pan, combine remaining peach juice with 1 teaspoon corn starch over medium heat, cook until just thickened. Let cool slightly and then brush over entire pastry.
Refrigerate for at least one hour before serving to set up.

Peach & Berry Crumble

I absolutely love berries, all types of berries and it's definitely berry season here in Portland. I was having friends over for dinner last week and saw all these delicious blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries at the grocery store, and had instant inspiration for dessert. I then walked by the peaches and immediately picked up a bag of those too and put some of my berries back, (as I have a weakness for peaches as well and just couldn't decide on one or the other!)
I love the more traditional biscuit type of topping that my mom usually makes, but was really swayed when I saw Darlene's delicious little berry crumbles, which you can read about here that she posted on here blog, so decided to go that route instead. Well, the end result was absolutely amazing. I have to admit that we only ate half the dessert during my little dinner party and I ended up having the other half all week for breakfast and dessert!

Peach & Berry Crumble

Filling
6 Fresh Peaches, peeled and sliced into wedges
1 Pint Blueberries
1/2 Pint Raspberries
1/2 Cup Sugar
1/4 Cup Flour

Crumble Topping
1 Cup Flour
1/3 Cup Sugar
1/3 Cups Brown Sugar
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
1 Cup Oats
1 Stick Butter, diced

Combine the peaches, blueberries, raspberries, sugar and flour in a large bowl stirring gently, then place into a large greased baking dish or 9x13 inch baking pan.
To make crumble topping combine all dry ingredients, next cut in the butter and mix with hands until mixture resembles small pebbles. Pour topping evenly over fruit.
Bake crumble in a pre-heated 350 degree oven for 30-40 minutes or until bubbling and topping is dark golden brown. (I always put my dish on a foil covered baking pan just in case it bubbles over.) Let cool slightly and serve alone or with ice cream if desired!

Peach Bellini

I love peaches and I love champagne, and combining the two makes the perfect drink. I think I could drink this for breakfast every day if possible, but probably not the best idea. If you don’t have peach schnapps on hand you can substitute simple syrup.
I also bought these mailing labels at the office supply store and they are the perfect name tag for glasses at dinner parties, as they are inexpensive and a bit different than the usual wine charms.

Peach Bellini

3 Peaches, skinned and cut into quarters (or 2 cups frozen peaches, thawed)
1 Cup Peach Schnapps
Prosecco

Puree peaches with peach schnapps in blender or food processor and process until smooth. Pour mixture through fine mesh sieve and refrigerate. Pour about 2 ounces of peach mixture into champagne glass and top off with champagne.