grilled peaches with a balsamic vinegar reduction

As I've mentioned before, I have serious cravings for sweets.  Cakes, cookies, pies, tarts...I could eat these every day.  No lie.  And have you ever noticed that when you're craving a brownie and you end up eating an apple instead, it just isn't as satisfying? 

Now let me just say this.  I know there isn't anything wrong with indulging once in a while.  But that's just it.  "Once in a while" isn't good enough for me.  These are daily cravings, people!

But I think I've figured it out.  In order to replace something unhealthy with something healthy, you need to dress it up a little so that it resembles something unhealthy (but it's really not).  Got that?

Take a peach.  Grill it. Drizzle some sweet, tarty balsamic vinegar over it and you have yourself a simple but satisfying dessert.  The heat (along with optional whipped cream) tricks my brain into thinking I'm eating a slightly more savory, warm peach cobbler!

Grilled peaches with balsamic vinegar reduction
1 peach, halved and pitted1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1-2 teaspoons of unsalted butter, melted
Sprinkle of raw sugar
Whipped cream, to taste.

Preheat grill to 300 degrees.
Pour vinegar into small saucepan and heat on high over stove.  Stir continuously until the vinegar becomes syrupy.  Set aside.
Lightly brush melted butter over cut sides of the peach.
Sprinkle just a bit of raw sugar over the cut sides.
Place flat on grill for 2-4 minutes.
Place peach halves on plate, pour a bit of whipped cream in the middle and drizzle vinegar over fruit. 

*A note about this recipe: the peach should be firm, but not too hard (just before it's fully ripened).  It's going to be difficult to de-pit and grill a very soft peach. 

*If you have leftover balsamic vinegar, you can save it for strawberries and goat cheese or a salad!

And I'm so not kidding about the peach cobbler thing.  

-jillian m.