Life

Just like everyone else who is running from here to there, my schedule has been so packed this month

I have lacked the time for writing.  I will not bore you with the ins and outs as all of you are experiencing the ebb and flow of life too.

I hope you are enjoying your summer and making the most of your dining opportunities as they present themselves. 

John's B-Day treat from DZ Akins Delicatessen in San Diego

I'll just keep reminding myself as one of my husband's former colleagues used to say, "Doing the best I can here." 

The Definition of Insanity

Summertime means peaches -- and there are no better ones (in my humble opinion) than the ones we get at the Studio City Farmer's Market.  In my home, the food narrative begins to skew "peaches" starting in about May.  Even after they start to show up, we wait another week or so until their flavor begins to mature.  Then, as in Texas Hold 'Em, it's all in!!

Carefully placing as many as I can in a cloth bag, I am always disappointed that by the time we get home, there have been peach casualties.  

"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."  - I was going to attribute this well know phrase to Albert Einstein, but there seems to be some question as to whether or not he is the one who coined the phrase.

Crushed, bruised at battered.  I unfortunately repeat my mistake week in and week out never quite learning how to bring them home properly.  I have a choice, lament over my misfortunes (with a few choice words) or as Dale Carnegie encouraged in one of his writings,

"If you have lemons, make lemonade." - Dale Carnegie, How to Stop Worrying and Start Living

Reacquainting myself with this idea came from none other than a dressing room attendant at Forever 21.  A a young woman with such confidence when it came to interacting with people shared her secret,

"Diversion!  Show off those assets girl.  Know where you have a hot mess and camouflage."

She is absolutely right.  Turn that feel-sorry-for-me peach into a gorgeous cobbler.  Turning that hot mess into a cobbler is something I can do rather well.  Cut up those peaches, adding a contrasting color such as sweet, plump blueberries.

Yes, get that lemon Dale was referring to and put a squeeze on it.  It will help prevent the fruit from turning brown. 

Make the crunchy topping with an egg, sugar and flour.  A fork mixing will help you get the proper consistency.

Sprinkle over the top of the squished lovely fruit.  Drizzle a bit of melted butter over the top to help it brown and add a tad more flavor.  Bake and you will have yourself a spectacular cobbler.

Now, if only I could learn how to get those peaches home unharmed.  I'm open to suggestions!  Seriously, write me with your solutions.

Peach Cobbler Recipe

Ingredients:

• 4 cups fresh peaches/blueberries
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 6 tablespoons butter, melted
• Whipped cream (optional)

Preparation

Preheat oven to 375°. Place peaches and blueberries in a lightly greased baking dish; sprinkle with lemon juice. Stir together egg, sugar, and flour in a medium bowl until mixture resembles coarse meal. Sprinkle over fruit. Drizzle melted butter over topping. Bake at 375° for 35 minutes or until lightly browned and bubbly. Let stand 10 minutes. Serve warm with whipped cream, if desired.