Gobble the Cobbler

Three days of baking. Today it is blueberry pie. I have made many blueberry pies for Dude over the years, but this time I made one from scratch with fresh blueberries. I love the smell of it in the oven! To bad I don't like fruit pie. Or maybe that is a good thing? Today it is all about the cobbler. I have never made peach anything. Dude likes to eat a peach fresh with cream poured over the top, but I thought since the peaches smelled so good I would try cobbler. It turned out pretty good. The only thing the boys said would make it better would be ice cream, but we don't have access to a freezer at work. Sorry boys.

Peach Cobbler from Simply Recipes (who adapted it from Sunsets magazine)

4 pounds fresh peaches, peeled, pitted and sliced 1/2 inch thick slices

1 cup sugar; divided into 2/3 cup and 1/3 cup

1/2 cup quick cooking tapioca (instant)

1 tsp grated lemon peel

1-1/2 TBSP lemon juice

2 tsp vanilla

2 cups flour

1-1/4 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

3/4 cup butter, cut into 1/2 inch chunks

2/3 cup whipping cream

In a large bowl, mix peaches, 2/3 cup sugar and the tapioca, lemon peel, lemon juice and vanilla. Let stand at least 15 minutes or up to 30 to softened tapioca, stirring several times.

In another bowl, combine flour with remaining 1/3 cup sugar, the baking powder and the nutmeg. With fingers or a pastry blender, incorporate the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Add cream and just stir until dough holds together. In buttered, shallow 2-1/2 or 3 qt. dish, spread fruit in bottom. Using hands, crumble dough over top of fruit. Bake at 350 degrees F until fruit mixture is bubbly and the topping is golden brown, about 55 to 60 minutes.

I just (like in the middle of writing this) got a phone call from a guy I went to school with (25 years ago!) who lives about 10 miles from me. He wants to get together for dinner and catch up. A blast from the past! I will have to bake something for dessert..........