Although fall is around the corner, there is still plenty of time to enjoy summer peaches. There’s nothing like a juicy summer peach, eaten out of hand, or cut up and eaten with yogurt for breakfast. But, what about dessert? Sure, there are peach crisps, peach pies and peach crumbles and cobblers that are summertime favorites, but what if you want something lighter, perhaps a healthier version of peaches and cream for dessert? This is what I pondered as I stared at a bowl of fresh peaches I had picked up from our local farmer’s market.
Inspired by an apricot compote I saw in a recent issue of Bon Appetit, I was about to make peach compote when I recalled a steamed fruit recipe I had seen a while back in one of my Chinese cookbooks. Chinese people do not eat a lot of sweets, and even the sweets they do enjoy are seldom overly sweet. Steaming is a healthier way to cook fruit, without the need for a sugary poaching liquid.Â
Once I got my mind set on trying the steamed fruit recipe, I scoured my Chinese cookbook collection until I finally found the recipe for Steamed Peaches with Honey Dates in Eileen Yin-Fei Lo’s The Chinese Kitchen cookbook. Her recipe called for cutting just the tops off the peaches, removing the pit, then coring the peaches before steaming them with dark brown sugar and preserved Chinese dates.
I decided to cut the peaches in half and sprinkled them with some jaggery sugar and fresh slivered ginger before steaming. After steaming these peach halves for about 30 minutes, a puddle of sweet pink juice formed, making a natural syrupy topping, with a nice concentrated peachy flavor.
I had received a sample of So Delicious Dairy Free Greek Style Cultured Coconut Milk Yogurt, which is due to hit the markets this fall, and knew a dollop of the Plain or Vanilla So Delicious Greek Style Coconut Yogurt would go perfectly with these Steamed Ginger Peaches. Thick and creamy, the Greek yogurt complimented these juicy, sweet, tender Steamed Ginger Peaches. This combination was elegant and rich tasting, you would never know it was so healthy.
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| Served simply or elegantly, Steamed Ginger Peaches and Greek Yogurt make a nice light dessert. |
So Delicious Plain Greek Style Coconut Milk Yogurt is a nice dairy-free alternative for vegans or anyone on a dairy-free diet. In fact, I believe it will be the only dairy-free Greek yogurt on the market when it arrives in supermarkets in a few short weeks. Although not as high in protein and higher in sodium than dairy Greek yogurt, this dairy-free yogurt packs a lot of fiber in each serving (11 grams per serving). In addition to plain yogurt, So Delicious’ Greek Style Coconut Milk Yogurt will come in five flavors (blueberry, chocolate, raspberry, strawberry, and vanilla).
Since my youngest son was discovered to be allergic to dairy products last December, he has not been able to enjoy Greek yogurt for nearly a year. When he got a taste of So Delicious’ Greek Style Coconut Milk Yogurt, he was over the moon. “It’s so creamy,” he commented dreamily. Although last school year I sent him to school with non-dairy coconut milk yogurt and almond milk yogurt, my son found them a bit “watery,” not as thick as the yogurt he was accustomed to. I can’t wait for So Delicious Greek Style Coconut Yogurt to hit the market — it will make packing lunch for school a lot easier.
I was sent complimentary samples of So Delicious Greek Style Coconut Milk Yogurt to try. However, I was not compensated for this post, and my opinions are my own.
Steamed Ginger Peaches with Greek Yogurt
Ingredients:
- 2 peaches
- 4 teaspoons crushed jaggery sugar
- 2 teaspoons ginger, slivered
- 4 dollops plain So Delicious Greek Style Cultured Coconut Milk Yogurt or 0% Greek Yogurt
Directions:
- Cut peaches in half; remove pit.
- Place peach halves in heatproof bowls.
- Put one teaspoon jaggery sugar in center of each peach halve. Top with slivered ginger.
- Steam over gently simmering water for 20-25 minutes, until peaches are tender but still firm.
- Remove peaches from steamer and cool to room temperature. Chill if desired.
- Serve with a dollop of Greek yogurt.
Serves 4.Â
More Healthy Fruit Recipes:
Jeanette’s Healthy Living’s Banana Split
Jeanette’s Healthy Living’s Pomegranate Poached Pears
Delectably Free’s Pan Glazed Apples
The Healthy Cooking Coach’s Poached Pears with Raisins and Dried ApricotsÂ
Steamed Kale and Poached Egg with Sriracha Sauce Recipe {Daniel Plan Recipes}
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I love simple and delicious desserts like this that are not over-sugared. The slivered ginger sounds divine! The photo in the wine glasses is wonderful.
Time to trade some of my pears for a friend's peaches!
I've never been known to turn down anything sweet, but I definitely have an appreciation for Asian desserts that are less so. This looks like such a refreshing way to end a meal!
Your post reminded me that my mom loved spiced peaches. I haven't thought about them in years. What a nice healthy way to use up my last peaches…I'm tired of all the pastry!
Hi Jeanette!
I can't get over the gorgeous color of the syrup.I've got a block of jaggery in the pantry and peaches on the counter. 🙂
Kelly – I was really happy with the way these steamed peaches came out…naturally sweet with just a touch of jaggery and ginger.
Lydia – You can definitely steam pears this way too – I tried it yesterday with some small pears I found at the farmer's market and they came out really nicely.
Joanne – Asian desserts are a lot less sweet and lighter than American desserts, so they're a nice ending to any meal.
Sue – I've never had spiced peaches, but you could probably try steaming peaches with the same spices.
Sommer – The syrup came out so pretty didn't it? I was surprised by the rosey color – I think it must be from the peach skin and jaggery. Hope you have a chance to try this.
i never thought about steaming fruit before!!! fabulous idea jeanette! the coconut yogurt greek style sounds delicious! awww is your youngest son the only one with food allergies? poor kid!
This will surely give me something to do with that tub of Fage Greek yogurt ^^
I just need peaches…
Since my step mom has lived in Vietnam from when she was born until 2007 or 2008, she says that desserts from America are (sometimes very) sweet and the ones from Asia are very less sweet.
look so fabulous! Perfect for this rainy day
Coconut milk Greek yogurt? My heart be still!
I have never heard of jaggery sugar. I looked it up and it seems kind of expensive but does it last a long time? I would love to try this recipe but is there anything else to sub for jaggery?
As much as I love my sweets, I love a simple, naturally sweet dessert like this!! That yogurt sounds delicious, too – I'll have to start checking the grocery store for it!
Junia/Gabrielle – So Delicious Greek Yogurt should hit the markets in the fall (soon!), my son can't wait!
Kathy – 0% Greek dairy yogurt is also wonderful with these Steamed Ginger Peaches.
Alison/Deborah – Thanks! These peaches were plenty sweet for me. The jaggery makes the sauce a bit syrupy – you can leave it out if you wish.
Jaggery can be found at your local Indian grocery store. You can also substitute any other unrefined sugar, or leave it out altogether.
This recipe looks so simple and delicious. What a perfect way to end a great meal. Love it!
I've roasted many a peach. I've poached many a peach. But never ever steamed one. What a brilliant idea to really showcase the fruit.
I am really into ginger right now, so this recipe just calls to me. Great summer dessert!
wow Jeannette ~ the simplicity of this is fabulous and the colors are something to behold . . . just gorgeous!
Marly – I couldn't agree more…this is so simple and makes a nice light but sweet ending to any meal.
Carolyn J. – This was my first time steaming peaches too, and was pleasantly surprised by how quick and easy it was.
Carolyn – Ginger paired really nicely with these peaches as well as some pears I steamed.
Debra – When I first made these peaches I was so surprised by the natural, beautiful color of the syrup that formed, perfect for spooning over the yogurt.
Coconut milk yogurt sounds amazing. I wonder if it's similar to making coconut cream "whipping cream" where you separate the creamy part from the water and whip it with beaters until it's fluffy and light? I love those poached peaches. After looking at your photos it almost seems blasphemous to put them in a crisp or cobbler.
So beautiful!!