Peach Rhubarb Crisp

I saw the most beautiful rhubarb at the produce market last week. And since rhubarb season is practically over, I just had to take some home. Along with some peaches, because their season is just beginning around here. And I put them together for dessert. And it turned out pretty tasty. Unfortunately, I don't seem to have any pictures of the finished product. So just imagine the fruity goodness you see below covered in a crunchy sweet brown sugar crisp topping.

mmmm......good. And all I did was chop up some peaches and rhubarb, throw them in a baking dish, generously cover them with crisp topping, and bake.

Peach Rhubarb Crisp

2 peaches, wedged and cut into 1-inch pieces

3 stalks rhubarb, sliced into 1/2-inch pieces

3 tbsp sugar

1/2 cup flour

1/2 cup oats

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 tsp cinnamon

dash salt

4 tbsp butter, COLD

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 9x5-inch baking pan with butter. In a bowl, combine rhubarb, peaches and sugar. Transfer to baking dish. For crisp topping, combine remaining ingredients in a bowl and mix with a pastry cutter (or a fork, or your hands) until the mixture resembles a coarse meal. Sprinkle over the rhubarb mixture. Bake for 45 minutes, or until bubbly.

Ratatouille

I want to show you something beautiful. Something much greater than the sum of its parts (that line may or may not have been in our wedding vows).

This something is ratatouille. The one from the movie. Also known as Chef Thomas Keller's interpretation of confit byaldi, this may be the most amazing combination of vegetables ever known to man. I cannot lie. It took 2 hours of prep time and 2.5 hours in the oven. But it is really good. Even my carnivorous husband said it couldn't have been better with meat added. And he says that about everything.
But it was a beautiful dish to prepare, and one which has a surprisingly complex flavor profile. Especially since there are so few herbs or spices used. Just a bunch of thinly sliced summer vegetables. Don't try this at home without a mandoline. I made it exactly as published in the NY Times.