GRILLED NECTARINES and PEACHES WRAPPED IN BACON


Oh my, it has been a while since I've shared with you here. I'm sorry. Summer totally got away from me. Between travel, photography work, kids home from school, and a family health crisis, the past couple of months have slipped by. Yesterday, the last of my brood went back to school, I breathed in the empty house, and within minutes was cooking up this post for you. It's really nice to be back!

Earlier this summer when I needed a quick appetizer, I wrapped peach wedges in bacon and tossed them on the grill for my in-laws. Within minutes, everything had been devoured so I figured... this is a recipe worth sharing. With Labor Day coming, I thought this easy, crowd-pleasing concoction could come in handy if you're cooking for friends this long holiday weekend. Bacon is always good and here it hits a pretty darned transcendent note when it's wrapped around peaches and nectarines all warm and juicy from the grill.

I started the summer with a stone fruit recipe and I'm ending the summer with another one - delicious bookends.



INGREDIENTS
serves 4 as an appetizer, or you can double/triple the recipe to feed a crowd
  • 2 medium ripe, but firm peaches and/or nectarines 
  • 8 slices of bacon (I really like the thinly sliced bacon here)
  • olive oil
  • 16 fresh basil leaves
  • aged or reduced balsamic
Preheat a grill to medium heat. Or preheat a cast iron grill pan over medium.

Slice each peach/nectarine into 8 wedges. Cut each slice of bacon in half. Wrap each peach/nectarine slice with a strip of bacon (if you carefully wrap the bacon around the peach and let it stick it to itself, I find that you don't need a toothpick to hold the bacon in place). Lightly brush the outsides of your wrapped peach/bacon with olive oil to prevent sticking to the grill.

Grill wrapped peaches/nectarines for about 5 minutes per side until the bacon is crisped to your liking. If you use a thicker cut bacon, adjust cooking time accordingly.

Top with a fresh basil leaf or chopped basil, and a drizzle of balsamic. Eat right away.

Happy Labor Day!




34 comments:

  1. Happy Summer almost Fall! Glad you are back. They little bites look simply divine and I bet they tasted even better. Stunning photography! Hope all is well with you. Cheers!

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    1. Thanks Lisa! It's so nice to be back! xoxo

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  2. Transcendent indeed! I have a bottle of balsamic glaze I save for special occasions; I think I'll be pulling it out this weekend :-) So happy you're back to posting!

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    1. Thanks Kristin! Your balsamic glaze would be perfect here. You only need a little drizzle and it makes all the difference. Have a good weekend!
      xo
      E

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  3. gorgeous. i miss you. what a summer! so glad things have settled on all fronts. and yay for quiet homes! xoxo

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    1. I miss you too! Maybe now that there's a little breathing room, we could cook together again soon.
      xoxo
      E

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  4. Aaaah, just a few days ago I wondered where you've been :D I hope the health crisis is all gone and all of you are fine??

    Can't wait for further recipes and your gorgeous pictures!

    Have a nice evening!
    Salma

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    1. Ah thanks Salma. We're all doing okay over here. My mom was diganosed with cancer in June, but she's handling it like a champ.
      Hope you and your family are well!
      xoxo
      E

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  5. No wonder those were devoured -- they look addicting from the first bite. Pairing the sweet with the salty is always a winner, especially with summer's last nectarines.

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    1. Carolyn, they are so so good. You nailed it... salty and sweet... always a good combo.
      Have a good holiday weekend.
      xoxo
      E

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  6. This is worth firing up the grill for!! And it's fruit so it's healthy!

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    1. Gabriel.. healthy;) I like your thinking!

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  7. A delicious and original combination! I love the idea.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  8. What a lovely recipe, Erin. I adore peaches (and nectarines) and the combination with the bacon is heavenly. Sorry to hear about the family health crisis. I hope all is well now and wish you a wonderful end of summer! xoxo

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    1. Magda, me too. I can't get enough peaches and nectarines...I'm trying to get my fill before the season ends. Enjoy these last days/weeks of summer!
      xoxo
      E

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  9. This is lovely; a true end of summer treat to be enjoyed and savoured. I hope you and all of your family are okay and can look forward to the new season with optimism and hope.

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    1. Kathryn, thanks. I have to say... there's nothing like a health crisis to put things in perspective. I'm all the more grateful for my family and friends. And I'm reminded how sweet the simple pleasures are, like summer stone fruit.
      xoxo
      E

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  10. You got all my fav stuff in one bite! That must be tasting so GOOD.

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    1. They really are good, Kankana! And so easy. xo

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  11. My husband is going to love, love this recipe. I can't wait to make it for him!

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    1. Kristie:) My husband loves it too! xoxo

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  12. These look and sound divine. Too bad all the good peaches are already gone from the stores. I might try this with good juicy pears, sounds like it would work also and with a bit of blue cheese...

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    1. Oh no. Sorry to hear your peaches are gone in your neck of the woods. With all this heat we're having, I think we've got another week or two to go.
      Pears could be good and figs definitely work wrapped in bacon or pancetta. Yum!
      xo

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  13. Wow. I took a week for me to get some peaches and another for them to ripen but it was worth the wait. Three of us demolished two large peaches. I might have to adjust the quantities when I make this again. Thanks for publishing this great recipe.

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  14. Oh, I just love this combination of crispy bacon and nectarines. I make it with prosciutto as well and it's equally good. Love the pictures you took in this post, those colors are simply magical! Hope you're doing well, Erin. You're lucky to live in that gorgeous California state! xoxo

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    1. Denise! Sorry for the late reply. I'm so glad you got to have a taste of California recently - it is good living here. And I'm so excited for you and your book! Huge congrats!
      xoxo
      E

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  15. These look so fun for a party! Hope your fall is off to a good start. Since it hasn't cooled off drastically yet, I'm still hanging on to summer for a few more days.

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    1. Lisa, lucky you that summer is hanging on. I savor every day of it!
      xoxo
      E

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  16. Beautiful shots of simple but beautiful food. Your images are gorgeous. I hope you come back soon :)

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  17. These images are simply gorge, and inspires me to try this out for my own blog :)

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  18. This is such a good idea!

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  19. it looks so amazing.I will try it right now

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So good to hear from you... I appreciate each and every note you leave for me!

Thanks,
E