Grilled Peaches

This may sound a little unconventional but it is one of the best summer (or year round) desserts!

4 non-cling peaches, halved with pits removed (if you get cling, it will be quite challenge to make this work!)
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
Drizzle of Olive Oil
1/2 cup walnuts, toasted (I just do in a dry pan on the stove top until fragrant)
Mascarpone Cheese
Honey

Combine balsamic vinegar and olive oil in a shallow baking dish, add the peaches cut side down and marinate for at least 30 minutes.

Preheat grill to medium high and make sure grates are cleaned.  Be sure to spray grates with nonstick cooking spray prior to putting peaches on.

Grill peaches cut side down for approximately 5 minutes (you want to see grill marks) then flip and grill covered for 1-2 more minutes.

Remove peaches from grill, fill center of peach with mascarpone cheese, drizzle with honey and top with toasted walnuts . . . then, enjoy!

These will refirgerate if you do not use all of them at once . . . but are best if eaten while the peach is still warm with the chilled mascarpone inside.

Creamy Chorizo Pasta

This dish is a quick and easy decadent treat. I adapted this recipe from one of my favorite cooking blogs, Cooks Like A Champion. This dish has been crowd favorite each time I have made it.

Ingredients:
1/2 Pound Chorizo Sausage
1 Pound Farfalle Pasta
2 Cup heavy Cream
2 Tablespoon Olive Oil
4 Tablespoons Minced Garlic (from a jar is fine)
1/2 Cup of Chopped Onion
3 Teaspoons Cajun Seasoning
2 Teaspoon Smoked Paprika
2 Teaspoon Salt
1 1/2 Cup White Wine
2 Tablespoon Tomato Paste
3 Tablespoons Chopped Parsley
Parmesan Cheese

Directions:
- Saute Sausage in small skillet over medium heat. Set aside when complete.
- In a large pot boil water and cook pasta until al dente.
- As pasta is cooking, add olive oil to large skillet or frying pan. Add onion and garlic and saute for about 2 minutes.
- Add white wine and let it reduce by about half (about 2 minutes).
- Stir in Cajun Seasoning, Paprika, Salt and tomato paste.
- Add cream. Once cream begins to boil immediately reduce heat to low.
- Simmer on low for about 5 minutes.
- Add pasta and sausage to pan and toss.
- Serve family style in a large bowl topped with parsley and parmesan cheese.

I serve the pasta with some warm crusty bread. You could easily substitute turkey sausage, chicken or shrimp for the chorizo.

Next time around . . . Greek Chicken and Lemon Rice!

Who was the speedy blog setter upper? Very impressive!