Home » Visual & Performing Arts » Nature Sketches » Enjoying Nature's Treats

Enjoying Nature's Treats

© Renie Burghardt

Summer is here; time to enjoy Nature's delicious treats. Berries, peaches, nectarines, plums, watermelon, cantaloupes, concord grapes, and more, just in time for Marna's wonderful event! So I thought I'd add the recipes for some of my favorite scrumptious summer treats. I hope you enjoy them.

Lets begin with peaches. How about a delectable peach pie? And I mean really delectable- try it, and see if you don't agree.

Fresh Peach Miracle Pie

2-¼ cup diced fresh ripe peaches
11/4-cup water
¼ tsp. salt
2 Tbsp.lemon juice
¼ tsp. almond extract
¼ cup sugar
1 pkg. vanilla pudding and pie filling mix
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 Tbs. butter
1 9-inch baked pie shell, cooled

Combine peaches, sugar, and I cup of the water in a saucepan, and bring to a boil. Meanwhile, combine pudding mix, salt, nutmeg, lemon juice, and the remaining 1/4 cup of water. Stir well to form a smooth paste. Then add to the boiling fruit, stirring to blend. Bring to a full boil again, and remove from heat. Add butter and almond extract. Cool for 5 minutes. Pour into cooled, baked pie shell. Let stand in the refrigerator for at least four hours. Serve with dollops of whipped cream, and garnish with additional sliced peaches. Enjoy. You'll be swooning over the taste!

Peach Cheesecake

2 ½-cups fresh, soft ripe, sliced peaches
12 oz. softened cream cheese
½ cup sugar
3 eggs
¼ tsp. salt
¼ tsp. almond extract
½ tsp. grated lemon rind
1-cup sour cream
1 tsp. vanilla
Spring form pan
Crumb crust recipe-below

Force the peaches through a sieve to make 1 cup. Reserve the rest for garnish. Cream the cream cheese until fluffy, beating in the ½ cup of sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well with electric mixer. Beat in peach puree, salt, almond extract, and lemon rind. Pour into shell, recipe below, and bake in 350-degree oven for 30 minutes or so. Remove from oven; let cool 10 minutes. Meanwhile, mix the sour cream with 2 teaspoons of sugar and vanilla, and spread on cake. Return to the oven for 5 more minutes, and then cool. Garnish with fresh peach slices.

Crumb Crust

1 c. vanilla wafer crumbs
1/4 c. melted butter
2 tsp. brown sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Mix crumbs, melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Press into the bottom and 1 inch up on sides, of a well buttered springform pan. Bake in 350 degree oven for about 8 minutes. Cool and add cheesecake filling, above, and proceed as directed above in recipe. Yummy in the tummy!

The copyright of the article Enjoying Nature's Treats in Nature Sketches is owned by Renie Burghardt. Permission to republish Enjoying Nature's Treats in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.