Start playing the Sam Cooke piece that Tom Moon recommends as people are midway through the peaches. They're a nice sensual segue into slow dance or just quiet murmurs. From the point of view of you, the cook, there's no cooking, just assemble, refrigerate and let it happen.
If desired, just before serving, drizzle a few drops of fine aged balsamic vinegar on the pears.
Ingredients
Part of Sally Schneider's Easy Menus for Holiday Entertaining
December 15, 2001
Adapted from A New Way to Cook by Sally Schneider (Artisan, 2001). Copyright 2001, Sally Schneider.
A lush, yet light dessert that's much better if made a day ahead. Take a bit of fig on the tip of your fork, sweep it through the mascarpone and pop it into your partner's mouth. Mascarpone is a dense, creamy fresh cheese from Italy. If it isn't available, whip some heavy cream and flavor it with vanilla. Use organic ingredients if possible.
This is a French classic.
Inspired by an old 19th-century American recipe, these golden peaches or nectarines are stained crimson by port wine and served in an intense vanilla cream drizzled with their ruby cooking syrup. Do two to three days ahead and keep chilled. Assemble at the picnic site.
This rich custard reminds us of good vanilla soft-serve.