Chef John's Peach Melba

Peach Melba was created for Victorian era opera star Nellie Melba by the greatest chef of the time, Auguste Escoffier, who also named some thin, crispy toasts in her honor years later.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 15 mins
• Total Time: 30 mins
• Calories: 421 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 cups white sugar
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• ⅓ cup white sugar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon water
• ¼ cup sliced almonds
• 2 cups water
• 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
• ⅛ teaspoon balsamic vinegar
• 3 cups fresh or frozen raspberries
• 3 peaches, halved and pitted
• 6 scoops vanilla ice cream

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Combine raspberries, 1/3 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, water, and balsamic vinegar in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer and cook until sugar dissolves and berries collapse, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat and strain into a bowl. Cool to room temperature, cover and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled.

Step 2

Combine 2 cups sugar, 2 cups water, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, and split vanilla bean in a large saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat.

Step 3

Place peach halves with cut sides up in the syrup and simmer until tender, 5 to 8 minutes per side, basting with the syrup occasionally. Remove from heat and allow to cool in the syrup. Transfer to a bowl, cover, and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, about 4 hours.

Step 4

Remove peach skins and serve each peach half on top of a scoop of ice cream in a bowl. Spoon the raspberry sauce over the top. Garnish with toasted, slivered almonds.