Healthy Summer Dessert: Balsamic Peaches with Crème Fraîche

Is anyone else as perplexed as I am on where more than half of this year has gone?! Holy guacamole! I can't believe it is August! Besides living under a rock and not paying attention to the calendar, I love the summer season for things other than the sunshine. Late summer months bring an abundance of amazing produce. Peaches are one of my absolute FAVORITE fruits, meaning I count down the months until I can purchase the sweetest, juiciest peaches available. They come and go so fast that I tend to go peach crazy for most of the summer. My Mom STILL brings up the fresh peach gelato that I made back in high school (I should have known I would end up in pastry back then).

As much as I love desserts, I am trying to veer away from refined sugar as much as possible because I work with sweets daily. Ironic, I know. These days I am focusing on holistic health, meaning refined sugars just don't make the cut. It's a daily struggle. That surely doesn't make my sweet tooth go away!

When I stumbled upon this recipe from Delicious Living Magazine, I was already thinking of doing something with peaches and balsamic vinegar, so it was fate that I found it! I love finding naturally sweet dessert recipes that use fresh fruits and ingredients such as raw honey. This recipe is simple, delicious, and perfectly refreshing for hot summer nights. As with any dish, using the freshest produce that is in season (organic if possible) will give you the best results. Local, in season produce also tends to be more nutritious[1]. On to the recipe!

Balsamic Peaches with Crème Fraîche (Or Greek Yogurt)

A simple mix of sweet-tangy balsamic vinegar, orange juice and honey are all you need to turn in-season peaches into a fancy dessert. Top with a dollop of crème fraîche or Greek yogurt and call it done!

Ingredients:

3 peaches, halved and pitted

1/2 cup balsamic vinegar

1/4 cup orange juice

1 tablespoon honey

Crème fraîche (for topping)

Directions:

Place peaches, cut-side up, in a large casserole dish

In a medium bowl, combine balsamic vinegar, orange juice, and honey. Mix well. Pour over peaches and let absorb for 15 minutes.

In a large sauté pan over high heat, place peaches, cut-side down, along with the marinade. Cook for 3 minutes, until softened. Transfer a peach half to each serving dish, add a dollop of crème fraîche, and drizzle marinade from the pan over and around.

PER SERVING (½ peach): 93 cal, 53% fat cal, 6g fat, 4g sat fat, 15mg chol, 1g protein, 10g carb, 1g fiber, 8mg sodium