Summer?......... then it's time for Peach Cobbler!

Here's a recipe that over the years got pared down and simplified simply because of time and a busy life and it came to be a much beloved dessert at our restaurants when we served it with my homemade Mango Ice Cream.... you will see it's a very easy recipe that is so adaptable to almost any fruit you have on hand or that is in season. I've made it with blueberries, mango (the version at the restaurants), apple, etc. always good and always satisfying.... And yes, during the winter months I have even used canned fruit and it's still great.

There are so many variations to the cobbler theme that are so interesting to learn about, from all over the country. If you want to get to know them or try your hand at these amazing classics, go to http://belinadventures.blogspot.com and place "cobbler" on the search box to see them, you'll be glad you did.

To make the cobbler you will need:

4 cups peaches, sliced in 1/2 inch slices (can be canned just omit the syrup)
2 cups sugar, divide it
1/2 cup water
8 Tbl butter
1 1/2 cups self-rising flour
1 1/2 cups milk
Ground cinnamon, optional

Oven to 350F. Use a 9 x 12 pan or whatever. If you don't have self-rising flour on hand, take regular flour and add 1 1/2 tsp baking powder and 1/2 tsp salt. TA DA!

If using fresh fruit put the water and 1 cup sugar into a pot and bring to a boil, then add the fruit and cook for about 8-10 min. Set aside to cool. If using canned then use as is. In the meantime, prepare the batter by putting the flour, 1 cup sugar and add the milk a little at a time to not create lumps or use a hand mixer.

Put the butter in the pan and place in the oven to melt. Take the pan with the melted butter and pour the batter over it. Do not stir. Now place the fruit on top of the batter carefully so as to cover the entire pan surface. Top with a little cinnamon and put in the oven for 30 - 45 min. The batter will rise to the top by itself, allow for cobbler to get nice and golden, serve warm with the ice cream of your choice.

So go ahead and get some peaches and make your family a dish that will become a family tradition, there's nothing like home cooking....


NOTE: I used way more than 4 cups of fruit so the cobbler took close to 50 min to cook. You can use the times given as a guide but check it, reset the time for an additional 8-10 min and keep checking until it's the right color of golden for you.

You want to add more than one fruit? Go ahead, try your own combinations: add blueberries, raisins or whatever inspires you. Never forget that cooking has no rules....