Photograph by Roland Bello
We love fragrant lemon verbena for its versatility in the kitchen. With summer in full swing, there are countless recipes to invigorate your plate with this garden fresh herb! Try out Bon Appétit’s Frozen Yogurt with Poached Peaches for a light and creamy dessert. Don’t have an ice cream maker? No worries, substitute ice cream with store-bought frozen yogurt or even Greek yogurt!
INGREDIENTS (Serves 8)
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup plain whole-milk Greek yogurt
1 cup whole milk
½ cup honey
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Pinch of kosher salt
4 large ripe peaches (about 2 lb.)
6 fresh lemon verbena leaves
1½ cups Cocchi Aperitivo Americano (Italian aperitif wine)
½ cup sugar
¼ cup chopped unsalted, raw pistachios
FROZEN YOGURT PREPARATION
Whisk cream, yogurt, milk, honey, lemon juice, and salt in a large bowl. Process in an ice cream maker according to manufacturer’s instructions. Transfer frozen yogurt to an airtight container or a shallow baking pan; cover and freeze until firm, at least 2 hours.
DO AHEAD: Frozen yogurt can be made 1 week ahead. Keep frozen.
PEACHES AND ASSEMBLY
Using the tip of a paring knife, score an X in the bottom of each peach. Cook in a large pot of boiling water just until skins begin to peel back where cut, about 1 minute. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a large bowl of ice water and let cool. Carefully peel peaches, reserving skins.
Bring lemon verbena, Cocchi Americano, sugar, reserved peach skins, and 1½ cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Reduce heat and simmer until mixture has thickened slightly and looks syrupy, 10–12 minutes.
Add peaches, cover saucepan, reduce heat, and gently poach fruit until the tip of a paring knife easily slides through flesh, 12–15 minutes. (Very ripe fruit will take less time to cook.) Using a slotted spoon, transfer peaches to a plate and let cool. Cut into wedges.
Meanwhile, return poaching liquid to a boil and cook until reduced by half, 15–20 minutes. Let cool, then discard solids.
Scoop frozen yogurt into small glasses or bowls and serve topped with peaches, some reduced poaching syrup, and pistachios.
DO AHEAD: Peaches can be poached 3 days ahead. Cover and chill in poaching liquid. Bring peaches to room temperature and reduce poaching liquid just before using.
Don't stop there! A quick addition of a Lemon Verbena Simple Syrup can infuse your whipped cream, crêpe, sorbet or yogurt with refreshing flavor. Not to mention a thirst-quenching cup of iced tea, spritzer or summer cocktail! Stop in and shop our fresh selection of Lemon Verbena today!