Each month Kitchen Play hosts a Progressive Party with six food bloggers who are typically assigned one of the following courses: cocktail, amuse bouche, salad, appetizer/soup, main course, and dessert. The bloggers then have to incorporate the same product into whatever course they were assigned. This month’s challenge was a little different, in that the course assigned to all the bloggers was “Iconic Grilling Recipe” and the theme, which was sponsored by the Ad Council who is promoting new USDA food safety guidelines during the summer grilling season, was “Make This Recipe…Safer”.
I love grilling and I was thrilled to be invited to participate in this month’s Progressive Party!
First things first, a little bit about grill safety. Did you know that one out of six Americans will get sick from food poisoning this year? Not only is getting sick no fun, but it can also have long-term effects on your health. Here are four easy steps to help keep you and your family safe from food poisoning…
Clean: Clean kitchen surfaces, utensils, and hands with soap and water while preparing food.
Separate: Separate raw meats from other foods by using different cutting boards.
Cook: Cook foods to the right temperature by using a food thermometer.
Chill: Chill raw and prepared foods promptly.
(More info on these steps can be found on FoodSafety.gov.)
Separate: Help keep foods free of contamination by using separate cutting boards for raw meats and fresh produce.
So, what did I decide to grill up? Dessert! Fresh, local peaches are one of the true delights of summer, and grilling makes them even more of a treat by highlighting and intensifying their natural flavor and adding a subtle smokiness.
Grilled peaches are frequently served with a little honey, sugar syrup, or even balsamic glaze. I wanted to give my grilled peaches a bit of Middle Eastern flair, so I decided to serve them with a drizzle of orange blossom syrup (called qattar, or attar in slang, this is just a slightly thickened simple sugar syrup that’s flavored with orange blossom water) and a sprinkle of pistachios, both of which are common flavors found in Middle Eastern desserts.
I buy orange blossom syrup at a local Middle Eastern market; you can substitute rosewater or even vanilla if you prefer. Or instead you can flavor the syrup with cinnamon and add a sprinkle of walnuts instead of pistachios for a little Greek inspiration.
- ¼ cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons water
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon orange blossom water
- 2 peaches, halved and pitted
- 2 teaspoons canola oil
- 1 tablespoon shelled pistachios, coarsely chopped
- Add the sugar, water, and lemon juice to a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat, giving the pan an occasional swirl. Once boiling, cook 2 minutes, swirling the saucepan occasionally. Turn the heat off and stir in the orange blossom water. Let the syrup cool while you grill the peaches.
- Preheat the grill and brush the canola oil on both sides of the peaches. Grill the peaches (cut side down first) until they are softened and have light golden brown grill marks, about 4 to 5 minutes on the first side and 1 to 2 minutes on the second side.
- Transfer the peaches to a serving dish; top them with a drizzle of syrup and a sprinkle of pistachios.
- Serve.
Chopped Turkish pistachios and orange blossom syrup make simple grilled peaches feel like a special dessert.
Make This Recipe Safer on Facebook!
The campaign sponsors also have some handy-dandy refrigerator magnets to remind you and your family about food safety while cooking. Click here to receive your FREE magnet! Then share photos of your magnet, your personalized safety tips, and/or the dishes you’ve cooked safely on the Kitchen PLAY Facebook page. (Be sure to tag FoodSafety.gov and Ad Council!). Let’s work together to Make Our Recipes Safer!
Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by the Ad Council and Kitchen Play; as always, all opinions are my own.
I’m Faith Gorsky, the writer, cook, and photographer behind An Edible Mosaic. My goal is to inspire you to get in the kitchen and try something new! Feel free to 
Jay says
August 8, 2011 at 6:48 amexcellent…thanks for sharing..:)
Erica says
August 8, 2011 at 11:02 amGrilled fruit is SO amazing in the summer! Your grill marks look absolutely perfect. The pistachios are a great touch
Priti says
August 8, 2011 at 11:18 amThis looks fab Faith …those grilled peach with pista is just fab
Chiara says
August 8, 2011 at 11:18 amI love grilled peaches! My mom used to make them for me when I was little.
Amy Tong says
August 8, 2011 at 11:47 amWow, these grilled peaches are gorgeous. I’ve never tried orange blossom before and I better hunt it down to make your recipe. It’s totally a perfect dessert for the summer!
Rosa says
August 8, 2011 at 11:53 amA delicious way of prepyring peaches! Refined.
Cheers,
Rosa
Sarah says
August 8, 2011 at 11:55 amThat looks so good. I have been dying to try grilled peaches, and pistachios happen to be my fav nutmeat.
Laz says
August 8, 2011 at 12:46 pmFaith,
What a professional and informative post. Fantastic job. Solid information that anyone can use.
Love the flavors in the dish. Especially the use of orange blossom water. With that said, AWESOME grill marks on these peaches.
Bravo!
Heather @ Get Healthy with Heather says
August 8, 2011 at 1:24 pmWow gorgeous dish! Grilled peaches are such a summertime treat.
Heavenly Housewife says
August 8, 2011 at 2:23 pmWhile I have a grill pan, in all honesty, I hardly take it out. This, however, inspires me to do so. What a gorgeous combination of flavours.
*kisses* HH
Magic of Spice says
August 8, 2011 at 3:29 pmGorgeously grilled peaches and love the sound of this orange blossom syrup! And these food safety tips are fantastic…love the idea of highlighting these important safety tips :)
Krista says
August 8, 2011 at 4:33 pmOh Faith, these look so beautiful and healthy and absolutely delicious. My brother just got a brand new grill so I’ll have to make these soon. :-)
Blond Duck says
August 8, 2011 at 4:53 pmAh, drool.
Victoria says
August 8, 2011 at 6:49 pmFood safety is so important! I’m glad that you are doing your part in promoting it :) I love your flavors here, definitely a fan of the floral syrup and the pistachios on top, and peaches are my favorite summer fruit! Great, light, and considerably healthy dessert :)
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
August 8, 2011 at 8:08 pmThis is such a delectable sounding combination! I love the idea of infusing the peaches with the perfume of the orange blossom water! :)
Tanvi@SinfullySpicy says
August 8, 2011 at 10:34 pmThese grilled peaches look great..and I love your mediterranean twist on simple dessert.I love orange blossom ..it is such a bright addition to the recipe! Beautiful pictures!
Jessica says
August 8, 2011 at 11:31 pmSuch perfectly grilled peaches! I love the sound of that orange blossom syrup. And thank you for the safety tips! It’s always important to keep those in mind as we grill all summer long =)
Veronica says
August 9, 2011 at 12:14 amI have to tell you, I did try grilling peaches once but they weren’t nearly as pretty as yours! I love the garnishments you used–perfecto!
Ambreen says
August 9, 2011 at 2:46 amVery refreshing, looking so gorgeous :)
Joanne says
August 9, 2011 at 5:39 amI’ve been such a sucker for peaches lately and to imagine them covered in pistachios and that luscious syrup…I think I just got the chills. Sounds fabulous.
Erica says
August 9, 2011 at 6:38 amWow! Love the pictures and the combo- peaches- pistachios sounds amazing!
Steve @ HPD says
August 9, 2011 at 8:04 amI’m so guilty of this … you cook up everything, turn off the grill, bring in the food … and leave the spatula and tongs clipped to the side of the grill, covered with gunk. Because it’s out back, where your better half won’t see it, and she’d never let you get away with leaving it out all night.
so maybe spread the word to the ladies: check your dude’s grilling utensils! (what would we do without y’all? :^) )
Ma What's For Dinner says
August 9, 2011 at 8:35 amOh these look simple and delightful. What a wonderful fresh summer dish! Love it!
Lots of yummy love,
Alex aka Ma What’s For Dinner
http://www.mawhats4dinner.com
sweet Artichoke says
August 9, 2011 at 10:31 amA simple and beautiful idea to serve peaches! And as I adore orange blossom water, this is definitely a dessert I will try soon!
Mini Baker says
August 9, 2011 at 11:31 amwow! how beautiful is your blog? just found it and i’m so impressed!!! can’t wait to browse around :)
ps. i have a giveaway on my blog if you’d like to enter!!
5 Star Foodie says
August 9, 2011 at 12:15 pmWhat a lovely dessert, the flavors with the orange blossom syrup and an excellent contrast in textures with pistachios on top.
Stevie says
August 9, 2011 at 12:30 pmI’ve never had grilled peaches though hear about them often and fantasize about how delicious they must be. The orange blossom syrup sounds really tasty. I’m going to look for some. Fruit has to be one of the safest desserts out there. Much better than chocolate covered cashew turtle cheesecake on the waistline ;)
Karen says
August 9, 2011 at 12:49 pmBeautiful photos and yummy recipe, Faith! Grilled fruit are so delicious, especially at this time of year. Peaches, pistachios, and orange blossom syrup sounds like an irresistible combination. :-)
Mimi says
August 9, 2011 at 1:31 pmGrilled stone fruit is such a wonderful summer treat.
Mimi
Luv'n Spoonfuls says
August 9, 2011 at 2:43 pmLOVE, LOVE, LOVE anything with orange blossom water, and what a simple and delicate dish with the pistachios (love those as well). Great summer (or any time) dessert!
Susan says
August 9, 2011 at 3:45 pmI would have never though to put pistachios with grilled peaches – what a wonderful combination – especially with the orange blossom water!
Jane Doiron says
August 9, 2011 at 4:15 pmWhat a great dessert! I have never grilled any fruit other than pineapple. Can’t wait to try your recipe! Love your photos! :)
Reeni says
August 9, 2011 at 7:03 pmI have hardly grilled at all this year and the summer is more than half over! I adore your peaches Faith! Such lovely flavors to combine.
Alli says
August 9, 2011 at 7:40 pmWhat a fun group. I love the concept. I have gotten more adventurous on the grill but, I have yet to try anything other then pineapple. I hope I get peaches in my basket this week.
tasteofbeirut says
August 9, 2011 at 9:07 pmThese grilled peaches with the syrup with mazaher look fantastic! I have yet to open my grill this scorching summer, shame on me!
Jenn L @ Peas and Crayons says
August 9, 2011 at 10:25 pmooh look at those sexy grill marks!!!! =) I haven’t tried grilled peaches but its on my foodie bucket list!
Carolyn Jung says
August 9, 2011 at 10:47 pmSuch a simple, yet elegant dessert. And I love how it lets summertime peaches really shine in all their glory.
Reem says
August 10, 2011 at 1:48 amSuch a beautiful and elegant dish, grilled peaches are looking so luscious and with pistachio and syrup yummm…
grace says
August 10, 2011 at 3:46 ami really like the looks of this, faith! the grill marks are fun and add a wonderful flavor, and the crunchy pistachios are perfect–bravo. :)
nancy at good food matters says
August 10, 2011 at 1:03 pmI love the Middle Eastern flair that you’ve given these grilled peaches, and your styling/photography is especially lovely in this post.
Raina says
August 10, 2011 at 5:57 pmYum! I love grilled peaches! Yours sound wonderful. I would love to try that orange blossom syrup. I will have to see if I can find the orange blossom water.
Priscilla - She's Cookin' says
August 12, 2011 at 12:23 pmI’m making a point to go to a Middle Eastern market to buy some orange blossom syrup! I make grilled peaches every summer, but the last two cases disappeared so quickly that I didn’t get a chance. And I’ve been on a pistachio bender!