A Delicious Retro Dessert?

by Laura Donnelly — August 10, 2007

How about a retro dessert for weekend entertaining? Peach Melba was created by Escoffier in 1893 to honor Australian opera singer Dame Nellie Melba. It couldn't be easier! Make the raspberry sauce in advance and store in refrigerator. You can blanch and peel the peaches earlier in the day as well. Just remember to store them in the acidulated water until you are ready to finish the dessert.

Peach Melba

Serves 8

4 ripe peaches, blanched and peeled, cut in half
Raspberry sauce (recipe to follow)
8 scoops good-quality vanilla ice cream or frozen vanilla yogurt

Raspberry Sauce

1 pint fresh raspberries
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon lemon juice

1. Puree raspberries with sugar and lemon juice. Strain through fine mesh sieve. Taste for sweetness, and adjust to your liking.
2. To assemble, place peach halves, pitted side up, in pretty, individual dessert bowls. Top with scoop of ice cream, then drizzle raspberry sauce over all.