Hot Honey Grilled Peaches
Hot Honey Grilled Peaches prove that the simplest recipes often bring the most summer happiness. Ripe peaches are quickly seared on the grill until warm, juicy and lightly caramelised. Then comes a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a generous drizzle of spicy honey. The contrast is perfect: warm peach, cold creamy ice cream, sweet honey and a gentle piquant warmth in the finish. It looks beautiful, takes minutes to make, and always gets the same reaction: "can I have another?" Ideal for a summer dinner, a BBQ, a picnic, or a quick dessert when you want something simple with a wow factor.
Preparation
- 1
Prepare the peaches. Halve the peaches and remove the stones. Choose ripe but not overly soft fruit — it should give slightly when pressed but still hold its shape.
- 2
Brush with oil. Lightly brush the cut sides of the peaches with olive oil: it stops them sticking to the grill and helps them caramelise beautifully.
- 3
Heat the grill. Get the grill or griddle pan properly hot. Peaches should hit an already-hot surface — they take on grill marks quickly and do not have time to go too soft.
- 4
Grill the peaches. Lay them cut-side down and cook for 2–3 minutes. Then turn them carefully and cook for another 2–3 minutes on the other side. They should be warm, fragrant and beautifully marked.
- 5
Add the ice cream. Move the warm peaches onto plates and add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top or alongside. It starts to melt over the warm fruit, turning into a delicate creamy sauce.
- 6
Drizzle with spicy honey. Pour the spicy honey generously over the peaches and the ice cream. Add a pinch of sea salt, some mint or chopped nuts for texture if you like. Serve at once, while the peaches are warm and the ice cream still cold.
Chef's tips
- —Choose ripe but firm peaches: anything too soft may fall apart on the grill.
- —Do not move the peaches too early — give them 2–3 minutes to develop proper grill marks.
- —Do not be shy with the spicy honey: it is what makes this dessert special.
- —Serve immediately: the best moment is when the peaches are still warm and the ice cream is just beginning to melt.
- —Want more contrast? Add a pinch of sea salt. For texture, scatter over pecans, almonds or walnuts.
- —Grill extra peaches — people almost always ask for a second round.
