Peach Shortcake

Recipe by Chef Alice Waters of Chez Panisse in Berkeley, CA

Yield: 6 Servings

Ingredients:

* 1 ½ pounds peaches (about six medium)
* ¼ cup plus 1 ½ tablespoons granulated sugar
* 1 cup heavy cream
* ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
* 6 baked 2-inch biscuits (see recipe below)
* Powdered sugar for dusting

Method:

Peel and slice the peaches; toss with ¼ cup sugar. Whip the cream with 1 ½ tablespoons sugar and the vanilla until it holds soft peaks. Slice the biscuits in half.

To assemble each shortcake, place the bottom of a biscuit on a plate, cover with a scoop of peaches and a dollop of cream, top with the other half of the biscuit, and dust with powdered sugar. Serve immediately.



Biscuits

This is the cream biscuit recipe we use for cobblers and shortcakes.

Ingredients:

* 1 ½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour
* 1 big pinch salt
* 4 teaspoons sugar
* 2 teaspoons baking powder
* 6 Tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, chilled
* 11 Tablespoons cream

Method:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

In a medium-size mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, sugar, and baking powder. Cut the cold butter into the flour mixture with a pastry blender until most of the pieces of butter are pea size or smaller. Stir in 10 tablespoons cream until the mixture just comes together. Turn the dough onto a counter top, roll and cut out the six 2-inch round or square biscuits, re-rolling the dough scraps, if necessary.

To bake, place the biscuits on a baking sheet and brush the tops with the remaining tablespoon of cream. Bake for 17 minutes, until golden.