Steamed Peaches with Honey Dates
This deceptively simple steamed dessert has only three ingredients — peaches, dates, and brown sugar. I wasn’t too excited about it at first because I like peaches raw and I’m not too fond of dates. Since I was steaming chicken for dinner and had some fresh peaches on hand anyway, I figured that I might as well pick up a handful of dates, barely remembering this recipe.
While sweating it out in my nifty aluminum steamer, the peaches predictably released a wonderful aroma. The results, however, far exceeded my expectations. The brown sugar melded nicely with the peaches, releasing its juices and creating a fragrant syrup. Plumping up through osmosis, the dates absorbed the peach nectar and transformed from a wrinkled cloying drupe to something I’m craving for right this moment.
recipe adapted from Eileen Yin-fei Lo’s The Chinese Kitchen
Steamed Peaches with Honey Dates
Mut Joh Jing Toh
makes 4 servings
4 peaches, ripe but firm
4 Chinese honey dates or any sweet varietal
6 tablespoons dark brown sugar
Notes:
- There are a number of fillings you can use to replace the dates. Mangoes come to mind, but do try it with the dates first. It just works really well for some reason.
Slice off the tops of the peaches right where the pits begin, about 1/2 inch from the top. Using a grapefruit knife or a small teaspoon, core the peaches by running your implement of choice around the pit area.
Place the peaches in steam-proof bowls with high sides (such as ramekins). Place one date inside each cored peach. Fill to the top with brown sugar, about 1 1/2 tablespoons.
Peaches stuffed with honey dates and dark brown sugar
Place the bowls in a steamer and steam for 30 to 40 minutes or until the peaches have softened and released its juices. Some of the syrup is the result of steam condensation. Cover the ramekins with plastic wrap before steaming if this bothers you.
Serve warm or chilled.
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July 22nd, 2008 at 2:42 am
Ooh I got some peaches,honey and dates but no steamer
maybe I’m just gonna try to make it with my available kitchen gadgets 
Great Idea 
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July 22nd, 2008 at 8:19 am
Oh, those look good! I don’t have a steamer either, but perhaps I’ll have to experiment with slowly baking them in the oven. What a treat!
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July 22nd, 2008 at 10:31 am
Looking at the ingredient list, this doesn’t strike me as particularly cravilicious, either. Glad to hear that it is, because it’s simple and humble. That it turned out beautiful and delicious — that is a treat.
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July 22nd, 2008 at 10:40 am
that looks glorious. too pretty to eat.
July 22nd, 2008 at 3:05 pm
Yummy that sounds like an EXCELLENT dessert!
July 22nd, 2008 at 3:46 pm
What a great idea! I’d LOVE to try these, but I don’t have a steamer. Do you know of anything else I could use?
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July 22nd, 2008 at 7:29 pm
So very simple! I thought it was like a cobbler when I saw the first picture! This must be delicious!
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July 22nd, 2008 at 7:34 pm
I am going to have to try steaming some peaches!
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July 22nd, 2008 at 10:16 pm
So simple and so lovely.
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July 22nd, 2008 at 10:42 pm
Oy vey. I cannot wait to try this. I’m so stoked, I love the sound of this dish.
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July 22nd, 2008 at 10:44 pm
zita – might work in an oven. hope it works out for you.
claire – i’ll try it in the oven too and see how different it tastes.
js – the smell from steaming the peaches was also a nice bonus.
bee – thanks!
jenn – yup it wasn’t bad at all
katie – I’m thinking ramekins covered with aluminum foil at 300F. Maybe a few tablespoons of water in it?
clumbsy – much easier to make than a cobbler for sure
kevin – never tried it before this… added something new to my tiny repertoire
dragon – prepped and ready to steam in a few minutes..
rainbow – it’s all about the peachy syrup
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:18 pm
Perfect on a rainy day like today! After a spate of excesses, it’s nice to enjoy the clean flavors of great produce.
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July 23rd, 2008 at 4:20 am
I never would have thought of putting peaches and dates together, but it actually looks good! I can only imagine the aroma was wonderful!
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July 23rd, 2008 at 12:47 pm
wow.. this looks like a winner! gotta try this.. and for those who don’t have a steamer, try the water bath technique..
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July 23rd, 2008 at 12:59 pm
This is so comforting – I so wish we had decent peaches in the great white north. We likely won’t get them until mid to end August. I can’t wait.
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July 23rd, 2008 at 2:07 pm
You know I don’t think I’ve even eaten dates, now I’m going to have to try them
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July 24th, 2008 at 6:07 am
I can just imagine the velvety texture of the steamed peaches!
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July 24th, 2008 at 8:48 am
I adore peaches but I’m not a huge date lover. This might be fun with walnuts stuffed into the peaches instead. I’ll try it!
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July 24th, 2008 at 11:45 am
[...] Steamed peaches with honey and dates. July 24, 2008, 12:42 pm Filed under: Apple Pie Patis & Pâté | Tags: honey and daaates sitting in a peeeaaach, steamy, summa’, sweet “This deceptively simple steamed dessert has only three ingredients — peaches, dates, and br… [...]
July 24th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
These look beautiful and delicious…and I can’t believe how easy it is!
July 29th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
dee – This would be good for detox I guess.
honey – Didn’t think it would work either but it turned out great.
jescel – Thanks for the tip!
giz – I always like it when peaches start coming out.
kat – Hope you end up liking dates.
maya – It was delicious with the peachy syrup.
lydia – I’m not too excited with dates either. Walnuts sound like a great idea.
mpg – Always easy to put it all together on a whim.
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