Recipe by Triad to Wellness Consulting – Photo Courtesy of Kristen Massad
A Healthy Peach Dessert | Plant-Based Perfection
We love warm-weather grilling, especially when it has the ability to elevate one of our favorite summer fruits from a hand-held, portable snack to an easy-to-make, healthy dessert with nothing more than heat. Grilling peaches over live flames brings out their natural juices and intensifies their deep summer sweetness. We brush a light coating of oil and spices on our peach halves to allow the fruit sugars to caramelize naturally, so there’s no need for any added sugars. Combining the sweetness from the peaches with the warming effect from the ginger and cinnamon gives this fruit even more delicious flavor. Although these warm, juicy, caramelized peaches are deliciously nutritious on their own, our Maple Coconut Whipped Cream provides a cool, nutrient-dense complement. While traditional whipped cream is typically loaded with heavy cream and refined sugar, our plant-based, dairy-free, and refined-sugar free version is the perfect vegan topping alternative. Our thick and luscious cream is naturally sweetened, loaded with healthy fats, and made with only three wholesome ingredients. Pairing a decadent and fluffy whipped cream with a charred, fresh peach that has been warmed through on the grill creates the perfect balance between sweet, creamy, light and rich; a melt-in-your-mouth contrast of cold and warm. Our Peaches with Maple Coconut Whipped Cream have a bright flavor for a satisfyingly refreshing end to any summer meal. Because even great desserts can be grilled!
Nutrient Booster: Coconut Milk
Coconut milk is a popular non-dairy alternative to cow’s milk, full of important vitamins and minerals, and is rich in fiber. In addition to providing vital nutrients, coconut milk contains beneficial fat called lauric acid.This medium-chain fatty acid is easily absorbed and used by the body for energy. Lauric acid has antibacterial and antiviral activities that may help protect the body from infections and viruses. This type of fat is also useful for improving blood pressure, lowering cholesterol levels, and preventing heart attacks or a stroke. Studies also show that coconut milk’s MCTs have certain anti-aging effects and may help lower inflammation. There are plenty of ways to benefit from this superfood trend by adding it to your favorite recipes and drinks. Add coconut milk to smoothies or coffee, use it as a replacement for dairy milk in your cereal, include it as a base for a creamy soup, pour it over berries, or whip it into a delicious, dairy-free coconut whipped cream.
Make Once, Eat Twice
It is so easy to “whip” up a delicious dairy-free whipped cream with a can of coconut milk. And once made, our healthy recipe will keep fresh in the fridge for 1-2 weeks to pair with all of your favorite desserts. Our Maple Coconut Whipped Cream is the perfect topping for hot cocoa, ice cream, pie, and especially our Blueberry Crumb Squares. Use coconut whipped cream in a layered dessert or as a frosting on a cake; include it in a mousse or no-churn ice cream recipe; add it atop French toast, fresh berries, or our Blueberry Cheesecake Smoothie.
You can even eat leftover grilled peaches (if you have any) with tomorrow’s breakfast or lunch. Juicy, sweet peaches are delicious on oatmeal or waffles. Instead of whipped cream, pair a grilled peach with Greek yogurt or Icelandic Provisions Skyr and top it with nuts or SuperSeedz pumpkin seeds for an extra boost of crunchy nutrition. Serve grilled peaches in a salad or stack them in a cheese or meat sandwich.
Two recipes with unlimited uses….just the sweet taste of summer with all-natural sweetness.
Grilled Peaches with Maple Coconut Whipped Cream
Ingredients
Grilled Peach Ingredients:
- 6 medium peaches
- 1½ tablespoons coconut oil
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 12 sprigs mint, optional for garnish
Maple Coconut Whipped Cream:
- 1 can full-fat coconut milk, refrigerated for 24 hours
- 1½ tablespoons maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Equipment:
- Mixing bowl, chilled for 15 minutes
- Whisk or beaters, chilled for 15 minutes
Instructions
Grilled Peaches:
- Heat grill to medium high heat.
- Using a sharp knife cut along each peach's seam to cut all in half. Remove the pit.
- In a small bowl add the coconut oil or oil of choice, cinnamon and ginger and mix well. Brush each cut side with oil mixture.Place the peaches cut-side down on the grill and cook for 4 to 5 minutes until grill marks appear. Flip the peaches and grill until the peach skins are slightly charred and the peaches are soft, approximately 3 to 5 minutes.Remove from the grill. Serve the grilled peaches with Maple Coconut Whipped Cream recipe below.
Maple Coconut Whipped Cream:
- Remove the coconut milk from the refrigerator, scoop out the coconut cream from the can, and place the cream into the chilled mixing bowl with a spoon. You can save the leftover coconut milk for smoothies, if desired. With the chilled whisk or beaters, whip the coconut milk for about 30 seconds, and then add the maple syrup and vanilla extract. Continue to whip until creamy and smooth.Serve immediately with grilled peaches.
Notes
I love updating classic desserts to a healthier form while not sacrificing taste. Check out all of my healthy sweet recipes here!
The post Healthy Peach Dessert: Grilled Peaches with Maple Coconut Whipped Cream appeared first on Kathy Siegel, MS, RDN, CDN.