Grilled Peaches with Fresh Cherry Sauce

The grilled fruit is the perfect ending to a sumptuous backyard grilled feast.

Recipe Ingredients:

Fresh Cherry Sauce:
1 pound dark Northwest cherries, pitted (about 1 cup)
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1/2 cup dry red wine
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon kirsch (cherry liqueur)

Grilled Peaches:
4 medium peaches
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed

Accompaniments:
1 cup vanilla ice cream
4 cookies (cigar cookies are shown in picture)

Cooking Directions:

1. For Fresh Cherry Sauce: In a sauté pan over medium to high heat, combine the pitted cherries, sugar, red wine, and balsamic vinegar. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the fruit is soft, 6 to 8 minutes.
2. Transfer the mixture to a food processor and purée until completely smooth.
3. Return the mixture to the sauté pan over medium to high heat. Add the kirsch. Simmer until reduced to about 1/4 cup, 1 to 2 minutes.
4. For Grilled Peaches: Cut the peaches in half and remove and discard the pits. Place the halves in a medium bowl.
5. In a small saucepan set over low heat, melt the butter and brown sugar together.
6. Coat the peaches with the butter mixture.
7. Grill the peaches over direct medium heat until grill marks are clearly visible and the peaches are soft, 10 to 12 minutes, turning once halfway through grilling time.
8. While the peaches are still warm, layer each serving glass with 2 peach halves, 1 scoop ice cream, and 1 tablespoon cherry sauce. Tuck a cookie into each glass. Serve immediately.

Makes 4 servings.

Recipe and photograph provided courtesy of Washington State Fruit Commission.