Stone Fruit Zurra Recipes

STONE FRUITS WITH HONEY-DRIZZLED SOFT CHEESES AND TOASTED ALMONDS

Steps:

• Heat almonds and oil in a skillet over medium heat, tossing occasionally, until almonds are lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer almonds to a plate to cool; discard oil.
• Stir together cheeses, then mound on a platter, making a small well in the center with the back of a spoon. Surround with fruits and toasted almonds. Drizzle honey into center of cheese.

STONE FRUIT ZURRA

Steps:

• In a large glass pitcher, mix together the peach, nectarine and apricot slices, lemon zest, and cinnamon.
• Add the apricot brandy and stir to combine.
• Slowly pour in the wine and stir to combine.
• Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or as long as overnight.
• When ready to serve, add the club soda and stir gently.
• Fill glasses with ice and slowly pour sangria over the ice, allowing the fruit to fall into the glasses.

STONE FRUIT CAPRESE

Steps:

• Pit the stone fruit and cut into irregular pieces. Transfer to a serving platter, then sprinkle with the lemon juice, sugar and 1/2 teaspoon flaky sea salt. Toss with your hands, then let sit until juices pool on the platter, 5 to 10 minutes. Taste and adjust sugar, salt and lemon juice until the fruit tastes perky and bright - like the greatest stone fruit you've eaten.
• Tear the mozzarella into bite-size pieces and nestle it among the fruit. Tuck in the herb leaves. Drizzle the platter with olive oil. If the cheese looks dry, add a little more oil. Sprinkle with a few grinds of black pepper and a pinch of flaky salt, and serve.

STONE FRUIT AND FRANGIPANE TOAST

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375 degrees. In the work bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream 7 tablespoons butter and 1/2 cup granulated sugar on medium speed until pale and creamy, then add each egg yolk one by one, mixing between additions to emulsify. And almond flour and a pinch of salt and mix to combine, scraping the bottom of the bowl as needed.
• Spread the remaining 1 tablespoon butter on one side of the bread slices. Sprinkle with 2 teaspoons granulated sugar. Transfer to a baking sheet, buttered side down. Divide frangipane mixture among slices, spreading to coat the top of each slice.
• Working over a bowl, tear the stone fruits off their pits into large bite-size pieces, dropping the fruit into the bowl as you go. Add 1 tablespoon granulated sugar and a pinch of salt and toss to coat. Pile the fruit onto the bread, some pieces facing up, some facing down, and gently press the fruit to adhere to the frangipane mixture.
• Sprinkle the fruit with the remaining 2 teaspoons granulated sugar, pour any juices left in the bowl over the fruit, then bake until fruit is tender and juicy, the bottom of the bread is deep brown, and the edges of the toast are crisp, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Broil the toasts until browned in spots, watching carefully so the fruit doesn't burn, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Top with confectioners' sugar and serve with heavy cream, whipped cream, or yogurt, if you are virtuous!

CARAMELIZED PEACHES OR NECTARINES

Steps:

• Set a strainer over a bowl and cut the nectarines into the strainer, so their juice collects in the bowl.
• Heat the butter in a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
• When it is hot but not smoking, add the nectarines and sauté them until they sizzle and their juices reduce and begin to thicken, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Sprinkle the sugar over them and sauté until the juices further thicken and the sugar caramelizes slightly, about 1 minute. You may want to increase the heat under the pan to medium-high.
• Add the lemon juice and sauté until the juices thicken, then add any nectarine juice that collected in the bowl, and shake the pan so that all is well blended.
• Let the nectarines cook, shaking the pan occasionally, until the juices are very thick, which will take a minute or so. The total cooking time will be about 6 minutes.
• Transfer the nectarines to 4 warmed dessert plates, or to a warmed serving dish, let sit for about 4 minutes so they are not blistering hot when served.

STONE FRUIT SANGRIA

Steps:

• In a pitcher or large bowl, combine peach, nectarine, plum, cherries, peach liqueur, and white wine. Stir to combine and refrigerate 1 hour (or up to overnight). To serve, add ginger ale and ice.

STONE FRUIT SLAW

Steps:

• Whisk first 6 ingredients in a medium bowl. Add fruit and scallions; toss gently to coat. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

GRILLED STONE FRUIT SANGRIA

Steps:

• Prepare a grill or grill pan for medium heat; oil grates. Grill peach, plum, and nectarine halves, flipping once, until lightly charred and tender, 8-10 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and let cool, then cut into 1" chunks.
• Muddle grilled fruit and 6 halved cherries in a large pitcher with a wooden spoon. Top with wine, orange juice, brandy, and simple syrup; stir to incorporate. Chill at least 1 hour.
• Fill glasses with ice. Add sangria and muddled fruit and top each with a cherry.