5 Unsung Sides of the Summer Peach

Can you believe it’s already August? With this sultry month come many lovely things — most importantly, the ripe, in-season peach. As we transition from the inaugural crates of summer strawberries, these golden kaleidoscopes of gold and red are so juicy they dribble down your chin. And with a velvet fuzziness on the outside and an ambrosial sweetness on the inside, peaches are deep summer’s most lusted-after loot.

Peak peaches deserve to be the highlight, the reason everyone’s at the table. That’s why we've assembled a list of the finest peach recipes. These unconventional dishes run the gamut and show us all the pretty peach is capable of — and, goodness, are they good.

Your mother wouldn’t be happy with us, but let’s start at dessert, the most iconic peach player of all. We all love Peach Cobbler (pictured at top), but unconventional desserts like Peaches and Cream Oatmeal Cookies, Caramel Peach Upside-Down Cake and Food Network Magazine’s Peach Cobbler Ice Cream Cake will raise eyebrows.

Even something as simple as Food Network Magazine’s Hot Peaches and Cream can show the tender peach in all its glory.

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Photo by: Matt Armendariz ©2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Matt Armendariz, 2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

For the brightest peach dishes of all, try light, summery salads that double as elegant starters or revitalizing Tupperware lunches. Food Network Magazine’s Tomato Peach Salad with Ricotta is sweet and creamy, while its Tomato Peach Salad with Basil offers a spin on the classic Italian combo. Grilling salad-bound peaches does wonders, as well.

Food Stylist: Jamie Kimm 
Prop Stylist: Marina Malchin ,Food Stylist: Jamie Kimm 
Prop Stylist: Marina Malchin

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Food Stylist: Jamie Kimm Prop Stylist: Marina Malchin ,Food Stylist: Jamie Kimm Prop Stylist: Marina Malchin

Photo by: Antonis Achilleos

Antonis Achilleos

You can even use peaches as sandwich toppers, a la Food Network Magazine’s Bacon, Peach and Arugula Sandwiches. The result is crunchy, sweet and unexpected.

savory-peach-chicken-recipe

Photo by: Matt Armendariz ©2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

Matt Armendariz, 2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

Peaches even work as wonderful entrees. Ellie Krieger’s Savory Peach Chicken makes a statement on the plate.


Food stylist: Jamie Kimm
Prop stylist: Marina Malchin

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Food stylist: Jamie Kimm Prop stylist: Marina Malchin,Food stylist: Jamie KimmProp stylist: Marina Malchin

And Food Network Magazine’s Rosemary-Mustard Pork with Peaches puts the grill to use — as you should this summer.

Lastly, peaches are even good in liquid form. Peach Pie Smoothies sure go down smooth. And on a hot August day, Rosemary Peach Lemonade is your savior.

There’s nothing quite like biting into a fresh, juicy peach in its purest form. Still, we challenge you to do more with peaches this August. There’s really no better time.

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