If anyone really knows me, they know there are too things I absolutely love to indulge in: iced coffees from a well-known chain and desserts. I love the latter so much I don’t keep cookies, pies, or cakes in my house unless I know company is coming over. What I love about the summer is I can make desserts on the lighter side with all the fresh, in-season fruit available. Here are just a few ideas for those of you as crazy about sweets as me.
Grilled Peaches with Ice Cream (Version 1)
Ingredients
2 Large Peaches – pitted and cut in half
Cinnamon (to your liking)
Sugar (to your liking)
Vanilla Ice Cream
Preheat grill. Toss the peaches in the cinnamon and sugar. Let sit 5 minutes. Grill on low heat with skin side down for 2-3 minutes, flip and grill flesh side down for another minute. Remove from grill and put a scoop of ice cream on top. Eat right away as the ice cream starts to melt right away creating “peaches and cream.
Grilled Peaches with Ice Cream (Version 2)
Ingredients
4 Large Peaches – pitted and sliced
Cinnamon (to your liking)
Sugar (to your liking)
1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Dash of Sea Salt
½ Tablespoon Butter
Vanilla Ice Cream
Foil
Preheat grill. In bowl, toss peaches in cinnamon, sugar, vanilla extract, and dash of salt. Let sit 5-10 minutes. Place mixture with all the juices on a large piece of foil. Dab a little butter over mixture. Fold foil so that it creates a tight little package. Wrap again in an additional piece of foil so that it is leak-proof. Place grill setting on low and put foil package on it. Cook for 10 minutes. Remove and let sit for another 5 minutes. Open carefully as it will be hot and also you do not want to lose any of the juice. Place a large serving of peach mixture in bowl and place a scoop of ice cream on top. Serve right away as ice cream melts right away creating another version of “peaches and cream.
Grilled Pineapple with Ice Cream
Ingredients
1 Pineapple – peeled and cut into ½-1 inch slices
Sugar (to your liking)
Dash of Sea Salt
Vanilla Ice Cream
Preheat grill. Layer pineapple slices on grill set on low. Cook 1-2 minutes, turn and cook 1-2 minutes more. Remove and sprinkle with sugar and salt. Place 2 slices on dish and place a scoop of ice cream on top. Serve and eat right away.
(Are you getting the feeling yet that I like ice cream?)
Grilled Strawberry and Melon Skewers with (of course) Ice Cream
1 Small Package of Strawberries – washed with tops removed
1 Small Cantaloupe (or melon of your choice) – washed and cut into large chunks
Sugar (to your liking)
Dash of Sea Salt
2 Teaspoons of Vanilla Extract
Wooden Skewers
Chocolate Ice Cream
Preheat grill. Place wooden skewers in water and soak. Meanwhile in large bowl, toss strawberries and melon with sugar, salt and vanilla extract. Let sit 5-10 minutes. Remove skewers from water and pat dry. Pierce and place fruit on skewers, alternating between strawberries and melon. Place on grill set at low heat and cook for 2 minutes. Turn and cook for 2 minutes more. You can leave fruit on skewers or remove but either way serve with a scoop of ice cream.
Note: If you don’t want to grill any of these recipes, just toss fruit in seasonings and let sit about 15-20 minutes to create juice. Then place fruit in bowl with scoop of ice cream on top and then drizzle juices over ice cream.
Also feel free to use any flavor of ice cream you like. I have used butter pecan, mint, coffee or whatever I am in the mood for.
Finally, I didn’t list it on any of the ingredients but to add another dimension to your grilled fruit, put a dash of fresh ground pepper. I know it may sound weird to some but it is really good…but do what you like and know that you will enjoy!
Happy Endings!
