Drunken Peach Tart

Peaches. Peaches. Peaches. What can I say, other than I love them.  I usually have to hide them from my family whenever they are in the conventional basket because we all fight over who is going to eat them.  In fact, the last time they were offered as an add-on for Bountiful Baskets, www.bountifulbaskets.org ,  I almost ate half of the case by myself.  As I was browsing the internet for different ideas on how to use the case and a half of peaches I have, I came across the idea to put tequila (which I love) and peaches. And let me just say that is really is an amazing combination!!

DRUNKEN PEACH TART

Ingredients

• 5 large, ripe but firm peaches - peeled and thinly sliced (about 1/4" thick)
• 3 Tbsp tequila (I used Cuervo Gold)
• 1/2 c sugar
• 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 Tbsp cornstarch
• 1 pkg pre-made pie crust

Instructions

1. * Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. * Mix together peaches, cinnamon, tequila, cornstarch,and sugar in medium bowl and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
3. * Roll pie crust into tart pan or deep dish pie plate.
4. * Pour peach filling evenly into unbaked pie shell.
5. * Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until filling is thick and bubbly.
6. * Let cool for about 15 minutes.
7. * Serve with whipped cream, caramel sauce, or ice cream!

Italian Burgers

As I was making hamburgers for our Labor Day meal, I looked around the pantry to see what I could come up with to season the meat.  (My family knows that I NEVER  make hamburgers the same way twice.  EVER.)  I saw I had a lot of basil, onions, and some garlic left from the two Italian packs I contributed for at Bountiful Baskets …. and that case of Roma tomatoes I just got…. and WHA-LA.  Italian burgers were made!  I got so excited about the idea because I just love basil. LOVE it!

My husband and daughter loved them, and I have to say that this may be my favorite burger recipe to date!

So, here’s what I did! 

Ingredients

• 3 pounds ground beef
• 1 small onion, half chopped and half sliced
• 4 cloves of minced garlic
• 1/8 cup (approximately) finely chopped basil leaves
• 1 1/2 tsp CREOLE seasoning ( I used Tony Cachere's ~ Weird, I know)
• salt and pepper to taste
• 4 slices mozzarella cheese

Instructions

1. Break up ground beef in large mixing bowl.
2. Add all ingredients except cheese and SLICED onions, mixing very well by hand. Usually until beef starts to stick together and hold shape.
3. Shape into four equal sized patties. (There will be about one large handful of meat mixture left over. I used this to make a dozen and a half meatballs to freeze for further use.)
4. Place in hot grill pan along with sliced onions surrounding the burgers, and cook until they reach desired doneness, only flipping once.
5. Add mozzarella cheese to the tops of the burgers during the last few minutes so they can melt.
6. Serve and top however you like it! I used lettuce, tomato and grilled onions.

Try topping the burgers with your own favorite Italian ingredients such as marinara or fried eggplant.  You might just surprise yourself and find a new addiction!