I know this is hard to believe, but I don’t always cook for two. Even harder to believe: I have friends! Real life friends. (of the non-internet variety!!).
And since my real-life friends have to hear about my internet friends and pretend it’s not weird, I cook for them. Quite frequently, actually. I made this stunning tray of grilled stone fruit with almond mascarpone dipping sauce and candied almonds last weekend. Even though it doesn’t serve two, it was insisted that I share it here.
I’m not sure why some of my friends say they’re too nervous to cook for me since I cook for a living. Truth be told, if anybody makes ANYTHING for me, I love it. I love it because: I didn’t have to cook it and I don't have to clean up afterwards.
Make me a bowl of microwave macaroni and cheese, and seriously, I think it’s the sweetest most delicious thing ever. That’s the thing about food people: we understand the energy and thought behind feeding someone. No one appreciates your efforts in the kitchen more than us. We want to be cooked for.
If you have a friend that loves cooking, please, do not avoid having him or her over for dinner because you’re worried they will spend the car ride home laughing at your store-bought marinades and your cooking skills. We won’t. I always spend the car ride home thinking about how wonderful the evening was with a big smile on my face.
I like to be fed.
Along the same line, please don’t expect everything you eat at my house to be chock full of hard-to-find fancy ingredients.
Not everything I make is laborious and exotic. In fact, hardly anything is. I keep a slightly more well-stocked fridge and pantry than the average non-cook, but that doesn’t mean it’s anything fancy and unattainable.
For example, you might stock cream cheese in your fridge. I hoard mascarpone instead. It’s like cream cheese that’s already been sweetened and smoothed out. It just makes it easier for me to whip up a quick dipping sauce. I’m all about easy and quick. Effortlessly impressive is my melody in life.
So, if you come to my house expecting a 4-layer chocolate cake stuffed with 3 different kinds of mousse and topped with home-spun sugar, you will be disappointed. Well, if you catch me on a weird day when I get the gumption to make something so ridiculous, yes, I’ll have that cake in my house.
But, most often, I’ll slice open half a dozen local peaches, plums, and apricots, and stir together mascarpone, almond extract and honey and serve. If I have an extra 5 minutes, I will candy some sliced almonds in sugar in a skillet. You might think it’s gourmet, but it’s so not. You'll definitely think it's scrumptious.
Grilled fruit with creamy sweet dip. If you don't have mascarpone, you can use cream cheese. As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.Grilled Stone Fruit + Almond Mascarpone Dip
Ingredients
Instructions
Notes
Recommended Products
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4
Serving Size:
1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 385Total Fat: 30gSaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 77mgSodium: 247mgCarbohydrates: 28gFiber: 2gSugar: 26gProtein: 5g
Anna Voloshyna says
I absolutely love this dish! Will try to make it soon =)
Katie @ Butterlust says
Beautiful! You've got me lusting for a grill pan (and a cute maxi skirt)! Simplicity at it's best!
Christine @ Cooking with Cakes says
I MIGHT swirl some melted chocolate into that mascarpone because I'm a gluttonous freak, but this is straight up summer dessert perfect!!!!!
Isadora @ she likes food says
This looks amazing! I've been grilling everything lately, but I have yet to put some fruit on the grill, what a great idea! And I bet the grilled fruit is delicious with that marscapone dip!
sally @ sallys baking addiction says
Such beautiful photos Christina!. I could eat that almond mascarpone dip with a spoon and be content. ;) And I would take these over a giant 4 layer chocolate cake anyway. Can I come visit?!
Kelly @ Trial and Eater says
This looks absolutely amazing! I love the presentation :)
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says
I love me some grilled fruit so I am all over this post Beautiful pictures too!
Carol at Wild Goose tea says
I love grilled fruit. I didn't discover that until about 5 or 6 yrs ago. The extra touch with the dip is a fabulous idea.
Not only does it taste good, but that little touch moves it to the 'special' category.
Carrie Pacini says
I love how you plated this. What a wonderful presentation for summer gatherings.
Criptic says
Just in time for my little friends reunion! Thanks!!!