Peachy Keen

Fresh peaches will be in the market for only a few more weeks, so be sure to try our low-fat version of the classic peach Melba before they disappear.

Poach the peaches in a simple syrup with a bit of lemon to keep them from turning brown. They may be prepared ahead and chilled overnight; just be sure to reserve one cup of the syrup to flavor the peach ice.

The low-fat peach ice is made with nonfat milk and egg substitute. Gelatin helps make for a creamier texture in the absence of fat, which gives that smooth creamy texture in ice creams.

PEACH MELBA

POACHED PEACHES

4 ripe peaches

2 cups water

1 3/4 cups sugar

1/2 vanilla bean, split

1 tablespoon lemon juice

Cut small shallow “x” in bottom of peaches and place in boiling water until skin begins to peel away from cut, about 1 to 2 minutes. Remove and cool under cold running water. Peel peaches. Cut peaches in half and remove pits.

Combine water, sugar, vanilla bean and lemon juice in medium saucepan. Bring to boil, then reduce heat to simmer. Add peach halves and poach just until tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from heat and cool in syrup.

VANILLA-PEACH ICE

2 1/2 cups nonfat milk

1/2 vanilla bean, split

2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin

1/4 cup water

1/4 cup egg substitute

2 teaspoons grated lemon peel

Heat milk and vanilla bean to simmer. Sprinkle gelatin over 1/4 cup water to soften. Stir into hot milk until dissolved. Combine egg substitute and little hot milk. Stir egg substitute into milk in pan. Heat and stir just until slightly thickened, being careful not to curdle mixture. Stir in 1 cup of the peach syrup from poaching the peaches and 2 peach halves, finely chopped. Stir in lemon peel. Let cool. Remove vanilla bean. Freeze in ice cream maker according to manufacturer’s directions.

RASPBERRY SAUCE

1/2 pint raspberries

1/4 cup sugar

In blender, puree raspberries and sugar. Strain.

To serve, Place 1 scoop peach ice on top of drained poached peach half and spoon over raspberry sauce.

Makes 6 servings.

Each serving contains about:

294 calories; 33 mg sodium; 1 mg cholesterol; 0 fat; 73 grams carbohydrates; 3 grams protein; 0.76 gram fiber.