Sophie Van Slyke, photographer Extraordinaire!!!

The best part about this posting is that I had a cute little visitor who just happens to be a REAL Photographer!  Now, you are going to have to decide which picture of the two today was taken by ME, or a pro!  But first, a recipe.

Everybody should have a friend with a Peach tree!  Because, if you are a cook, sooner or later they are going to come in with a pathetic look on their faces, and a great big bag full of sweet, juicy peaches, and say something like, “Gosh, what are we gonna do with ALL these peaches?”  Knowing full well that YOU will solve all their problems.  Here’s the first:

PEACH COBBLER

First, melt a stick of butter in the bottom of a 9×13 pan

Then, mix a batter of

1 cup flour

1 cup sugar

1 tsp. baking powder

3/4 cup milk (buttermilk works here if you like it!)

Pour batter over the melted butter.  Now, peel and slice about 5 or 6 ripe peaches and line them all up kind of nifty looking over the batter.

On top of the peaches (oh, BTW, I have added a cup of blueberries to this sometimes), sprinkle 8 Tbs. of sugar.  (white, brown, or a mixture)

Over all of it, add one cup hot water.  Bake at 350 degrees about 40-45 minutes or till light brown and bubbly.  Great with ice cream, whipped cream, or heavy cream.

Next, something really easy and fun to do with peaches

Make a simple syrup, which, as we discussed before, is simply one part sugar to one part water.  Bring to a simmer, and cook until the sugar dissolves.  Meanwhile, slice and chop 3 or 4 ripe peaches.  Add them to the simmering syrup, and cook at least 10 minutes.  The peaches need to get soft and cooked through.  I like to smash them as I cook, OR, mix with an immersion blender when done.  Nutmeg or cinnamon may be added.  Voila!  You have made your own syrup.

NOW…..guess who took the pictures above!!!!