Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Peaches To The Rescue

I was looking through my computer file where I store my food photos, and although I have a quite a pile that I haven't yet posted, the number that are actually any good is running low. Many of my day-to-day munchies are actually pretty drab to look at. I think I should get imaginative about how to display them in order to make them look appealing. I did, at one point, manage to set up an at-home studio - albeit a makeshift one. Much to my amusement/chagrin, it quickly became a haven for my Ozzy.
He is such an attention hog sometimes.

Now all I need to do is convince him that he needs to stay away from little contraption, then figure out a way to pretty it up with different colored backgrounds. Or should I just use white posterboard/chart-paper on the inside? Any ideas?

When I came across this recipe for Peach Brown Butter Bars on Tennessee Locavore's blog, I knew it would be lip-smackingly good, but when it came to looks, I foresaw a whole lot of beige and brown. Not exactly the photo-op I was hoping for. But then I dug deeper with my camera lens, and discovered that there's beauty in brown. It is, after all, the color of caramel ... something that's brought me to my knees many times before!
Peachy Keen Brown Butter Bars (original recipe found here)
Serves 8

Click here for printable recipe

Ingredients for the crust:
7 tbsp butter, melted
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup + 1 tbsp all purpose flour
Pinch of salt

Ingredients for the filling:
1/2 cup sugar
2 large eggs
Pinch of salt
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
4 peaches, peeled and sliced

Method:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Using a little butter, grease an 8" x 8" baking pan, then line with parchment paper (both ends should hang out - to use as handles later!) and butter that too.

2. For the crust: Using a rubber spatula, mix the sugar, butter and vanilla in a bowl. Then add the flour and salt. Fold the dry ingredients in completely, till a dough forms.
3. Transfer the dough to your baking pan. Using your fingers and knuckles, press the dough so that it's evenly distributed across the bottom of the pan.
4. Bake for about 15 minutes, till crust is golden. Put pan on a rack and cool slightly.

5. For the filling: Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. You want to cook it until it's a deep brown - should take around 5-10 mins. Do NOT walk away to watch a clip of The View on your TV! The butter may burn, and then how will you face Barbawa Wawa again?!

6. Whisk eggs, salt, sugar and vanilla in a bowl (or in your fancy schmancy KitchenAid stand mixer). Add flour and whisk until smooth. Very slowly drizzle in the browned butter until smooth and completely blended.
7. Arrange two layers of peach slices on the pre-baked crust.

8. Pour the brown butter mixture carefully over the fruit. Bake bars for 40-45 mins till golden and puffed. Cool bars completely on rack, then cut into square and serve. Try a couple out for yourself first - quality control, of course!


Verdict: Browning the butter was a small challenge, because I have just about the same patience as a 5 year old in the kitchen. But it was so worth it! You could definitely taste the nuttiness and warmth of the butter in these bars. By the way, that simple shortbread crust was divine. My only regret is that my peaches were not as sweet as I wanted them to be. I'll definitely make this again with the sweeter, golden peaches, rather than the white flesh ones. It didn't seem to make a difference to my friends though, who happily gobbled up these little bites of sunshine in one go. Great with tea or coffee. Oh, however, if you're feeling selfish, you might want to stash away the corner pieces for a personal midnight snack - those slightly darkened bits are my favorites.
Mmmmm. crispy, curly edges with a pillowy soft center.

If it's not too late, I think I'll submit this recipe to Meeta's Monthly Mingle: High Tea event, hosted by Aparna over at My Diverse Kitchen. I think these decadent little bars would make even the Queen lose her composure.

21 comments:

Jennifer said...

That looks super yummy and the photo turned out beautifully as well!

Anonymous said...

Such scrumptious bars, so wonderfully buttery and excellent with peaches!

Finla said...

Wow you take your pics like that.
Love that cake looks so so beautiful and delish.

Aparna Balasubramanian said...

The Queen would definitely express delight over these. :)
Thanks for bringing these bars, too, to High Tea.

You cat is smart!
You could use a variety of coloure/ textured papers in your little studio. It doesn't have to be a permanent background.

Unknown said...

Peaches is a cutie, and the peach bars look absolutely scrumptious.

Mari said...

Wow that looks delicious! You really make some yummy looking food...

Your cat is too cute...maybe he wants to be Americas Next Top Model =)

Heather S-G said...

Oh my gosh...those caramely bits would be my favorite, too...sounds amazing! Cats. HA!! They love boxes and attention, so you were totally asking for it, LOL!! I think plain white posterboard would show pix off the best...then you can vary your plates, utensils, etc...just my thoughts...but all your pix look gorgeous today, so whatever you did, worked :D

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

Those bars look ever son scrumptious and your cat is very cute!

Cheers,

Rosa

kitchen queen said...

this is an excellent and fabulous dish.you can visit my blog and give ur comments.

Raje said...

Love peaches. The bars look yumm!

Humaira said...

Muneeba, hmmm looks delicious. I have a few awards waiting for you on my blog. Please accept them

NKP said...

Mmm, looks totally delish. I love caramel too.
I just have a homemade set-up, (and no natural light to speak of) I think some curved poster board inside will do the trick.

Yasmeen said...

So neat...bet it makes a cozy home for ozzy.I can't think of making such attractive studios which are not toddler-proof.I manage with my photo shoots in day light.You could use poster boards to make the backgrounds interesting.The peachy bars look irresistible :D

Sushma Mallya said...

That looks perfect and a wonderful click too...

Kerstin said...

What lovely bars! And yay for your light box (so cute that your kitty likes it too!) :)

Foodiewife said...

I couldn't find your email. My dirndl vest seems to be a big hit!
In case you seriously want to get hubs' attention:
http://www.oktoberfesthaus.com/product/66232/Plastic_Oktoberfest_German_Vest__Fraulein_Dirndl.html

Deeba PAB said...

I love it that kitty loves the light box...LOL! These peachy browns are utterly yum Muneeba. Now that it's way past peach season here, maybe I could use apples instead. Yum yum! I have 2 small puff pastry shells in the freezer calling my name.

nandini said...

oh my God!! this looks wonderful.. I love ur step by step photographs!. superb clicks!

Taste of Beirut said...

Fantastic dessert! Perfect for family!

Kristina said...

I'm so glad you tried these! Aren't they wonderful? I made several pans and our neighbors all loved us because I had to get them out of the house before I blew up! :D

The Food Hunter said...

Looks yummy!