Peaches are the heart and soul of the Sandhills. Peaches have a history here with names like Windblo, Sweet Sue, Contender, Derby.
Peaches are everywhere at this time. You see them, smell them, and eat them. As I went to work year after year, I would pass the glorious Watts Auman peach orchards, see the change of blossoms and color day by day, until finally – ripe peaches. These days a short drive to Kalawi Farms or Ken Chappel to the west or the Bynum Orchards south on 73 will get you the freshest peaches.
So:
CHILLED PEACH SOUP
Sounds so logical, so here is an approach I have used before.
INGREDIENTS
6-8 ripe PEACHES
1 pint plain yogurt
1 pint milk
1-2 oranges
1/4 lemon
honey
pinch cinnamon
vanilla
Recipe:
Pick ripe farm peaches, as little spotted as possible, just drive around Moore County.
8 Cups Pitted, peeled, roughly diced
Mix together 3 Tbsp Honey, Cinnamon, Vanilla, salt, orange juice, lemon juice. Add your peaches in a cool bowl. Mix then puree with whatever gadget you have. Whip together the milk and yogurt in a bigger bowl, add puree of peaches, blend well.
Divide in 4 individual bowls, float a few sliced peaches for garnish and a sprig of mint. Perhaps a splash of peach schnapps.
Enjoy!
Chef Andre