Hot Curried Peaches: The Ultimate Sweet & Spicy Sauce for Ham, Turkey, and Pork

Are you searching for a show-stopping dish that will truly impress your guests this holiday season? Or perhaps you simply want to elevate an everyday meal into an extraordinary culinary experience? Look no further than these incredible Hot Curried Peaches! This vibrant, sweet, and subtly spicy sauce is a game-changer, perfect for complementing roasted ham, succulent pork, or tender turkey. Beyond the festive table, it transforms simple pan-fried pork chops or chicken breasts into something truly special. The secret to its remarkable flavor and texture lies in the star ingredient: beautiful, perfectly preserved canned peaches.

The Undeniable Charm of Canned Peaches

Let’s be honest, who doesn’t have a secret soft spot for enjoying a can of sun-kissed golden peaches straight from the can with a spoon? Their juicy, slippery, sweet flesh instantly transports you to the warmth of summer, even in the depths of winter. While a fresh, ripe peach, heavy and warm from the sun with nectar dripping down your arm, is indeed a slice of fruit heaven, that experience can be elusive for many, especially those of us far from a peach orchard.

For instance, here in Northern Alberta, finding a truly perfect fresh peach in the grocery store is a rare occurrence. This is precisely where the magic of canned peaches shines. These peaches are typically grown on dedicated family farms, picked at the peak of their perfect ripeness, and carefully processed and canned right at the source. This ensures that their incredible flavor, vibrant color, and firm texture are locked in without the lengthy weeks of shipping and storage that can compromise fresh produce. Plus, these little bundles of fresh flavor are packed with beneficial nutrients, including high levels of antioxidants, vitamin A, vitamin C, and folate, making them not only delicious but also a healthy choice.

They genuinely taste fantastically fresh and fruity, a testament to the efficient canning process that preserves their essence.

Why California Cling Peaches are Superior

California cling peaches are particularly renowned for their quality. They are typically picked and packed in their own natural juices within 24 hours of harvest. This meticulous process is crucial for ensuring they retain their appealing appearance, delightful texture, rich flavor, and essential nutritional content. Once packed, they are shipped to markets worldwide, allowing us to enjoy these luscious peaches year-round. Indeed, a significant portion of the canned peaches found in Canadian grocery stores are these delicious California peaches.

Embrace a New Holiday Tradition with Hot Curried Peaches

This holiday season, I find myself craving something new and exciting. While cranberry sauce holds a special place in our holiday traditions, I believe it’s time for an innovative change. Let’s start a mini food revolt and introduce a new, vibrant holiday tradition: warm, spicy, and juicy golden curried peaches to accompany our holiday ham or turkey. This sauce offers a unique flavor profile that promises to be both comforting and exotic, a delightful surprise for your family and friends.

My own family traditions are deeply rooted; for our Christmas Eve feast, I’ll undeniably serve our traditional German Rouladen – the kids would certainly protest if I dared to offer anything else! And for Christmas Day, roast goose is an absolute must in our German household. However, for Boxing Day, when I typically feed a large gathering, a magnificent holiday ham or a perfectly roasted turkey will take center stage. As its crowning glory, I plan to prepare a generous bowl of these wonderfully warm and spicy Hot Curried Peaches. This sauce is designed to enhance, not overshadow, the main protein, adding a burst of unexpected flavor that will have everyone asking for the recipe.

A Flavor Explosion in Every Bite

Imagine sweet, tender peach slices gracefully nestled alongside chewy, tart dried cranberries. All this goodness is bathed in a luscious, slightly sticky sweet caramel sauce, richly infused with fragrant curry and warm spices. A tangy hit of mustard and a splash of apple cider vinegar cut through the sweetness, creating a truly balanced and complex flavor explosion. What’s truly remarkable is how the canned cling peaches maintain their beautiful shape and stunning golden color even after being cooked, contributing to the dish’s visual appeal. A generous ladle of this zesty, fruity sauce draped over a thick slice of savory country ham or rich, tender roasted turkey offers a fantastic new holiday taste sensation. And for those die-hard cranberry sauce enthusiasts, you can gently persuade them by pointing out that, yes, there are still delightful cranberries in this sauce, too!

Beyond the Holiday Feast: Elevate Everyday Meals

Here’s a little secret: Hot Curried Peaches aren’t just reserved for elaborate holiday feasts. Their versatility extends far beyond, making them an incredible addition to your everyday cooking. Try preparing a batch the next time you pan-fry a few juicy, thick pork chops, or when you roast up some succulent chicken breasts or thighs. Imagine them served alongside a beautiful, tender roasted pork loin, or with buttery sautéed pork tenderloins or delicate medallions. It’s pure peachy heaven! A simple side dish of these curried peaches has the power to transform any ordinary weeknight meal into something truly special, adding a gourmet touch with minimal effort. Their unique flavor profile pairs wonderfully with a variety of meats, offering a delightful balance of sweet, savory, and tangy notes.

And while you’re busy roasting your ham and stirring this incredible peach sauce, why not treat yourself to a steaming cup of Spiced Peach Rooibos Tea? The flavorful juice drained from the peaches makes a wonderfully comforting, warm, and aromatic drink that perfectly complements the cooking process. It’s a delightful way to utilize every bit of the peach goodness.

Cheers and Guten Appetit!

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A special thank you to California Cling Peaches for sponsoring this inspiring post and making such delicious canned peaches possible.

Clever Kitchen Frau Tips: Don’t Waste that Liquid Gold!

Kitchen Frau Notes: One of the most common mistakes when cooking with canned peaches is discarding the delicious juice. Don’t waste that flavorful liquid gold! It’s packed with sweet peach essence and can be repurposed in numerous ways. For this recipe, you’ll need to reserve just 1 tablespoon of it for the cornstarch slurry, which helps thicken our incredible sauce. But what about the rest? The remaining juice is perfect for crafting a delicious, warming hot drink: Spiced Peach Rooibos Tea (find the full recipe below). It makes a wonderful, comforting sip for the chef and any helpful kitchen assistants! (And if you’re feeling a little extra festive and want to add a splash of rum, consider it our little secret.)

If tea isn’t quite what you’re craving, there are plenty of other fantastic uses for the leftover peach juice. Simply add it to a pitcher of orange juice, lemonade, or any other fruit juice or iced tea you have on hand to infuse it with a subtle peach flavor. You can also heat it gently and use it as a base for a regular cup of black or herbal tea. For longer-term storage and versatility, freeze the juice in ice cube trays. These peach-flavored ice cubes are perfect for adding to smoothies, enhancing the flavor of baked goods, or even using them to cook your morning porridge instead of plain water. This ensures no delicious drop goes to waste and you maximize the value and flavor from your canned peaches.

Seriously, resist the urge to pour that precious liquid down the drain!

Hot Curried Peaches – A Festive and Versatile Sauce

This recipe creates a rich, flavorful sauce that beautifully balances sweet, spicy, and tangy notes. It’s incredibly easy to make and guaranteed to become a new favorite.

Ingredients:

• 2 cans (398ml/14 oz each) sliced peaches in light syrup or in pear juice, drained (juice reserved)
• ⅓ cup (75gms) unsalted butter
• ½ cup (100gms) light brown sugar, packed
• ¼ cup (40gms) dried cranberries
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon curry powder (use mild or medium heat, depending on preference)
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• ½ teaspoon dry mustard powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon reserved peach juice (from the drained cans)
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch

Instructions:

1. Begin by preparing your peaches. Pour the contents of both canned peaches into a sieve placed over a medium-sized bowl. Allow the peaches to drain thoroughly, reserving all the juice. Measure out 1 tablespoon of this reserved peach juice into a small bowl and set aside; this will be used for the cornstarch slurry later.
2. In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the butter, light brown sugar, dried cranberries, apple cider vinegar, curry powder, ground ginger, dry mustard powder, and salt.
3. Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and allow it to cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. During this time, the sauce will begin to thicken and caramelize, developing a rich, glossy texture.
4. Carefully add the drained peach slices to the saucepan. Stir them very gently into the sauce, taking care not to break up the delicate peach slices. The sauce will initially sizzle and thin out slightly.
5. Return the mixture to a simmer and continue to cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally and very gently to ensure even heating and to prevent sticking.
6. In the small bowl containing the reserved 1 tablespoon of peach juice, add the 1 teaspoon of cornstarch. Stir thoroughly until you have a smooth, lump-free slurry.
7. Pour the cornstarch slurry into the simmering curried peaches, stirring continuously. Cook for one more minute, or until the sauce has reached your desired thickened consistency.
8. Serve the Hot Curried Peaches warm over a variety of main courses. It’s exceptional with baked sliced ham, perfectly pan-fried pork chops, a tender pork roast, roasted turkey, or baked chicken.

Yields: Serves 4 to 6 people.

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Spiced Peach Rooibos Tea – A Comforting Beverage

Utilize the delicious peach juice to create a soothing and aromatic tea, perfect for a cozy moment.

Ingredients:

• The juice drained from two (400ml/14oz) cans of peaches (approximately 1 to 1¼ cups total)
• 1 cup water
• 3 thin slices of fresh lemon
• 3 thin slices of fresh ginger
• 3 whole cloves
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 teabags of rooibos tea
• Honey to taste (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a small saucepan, combine the reserved peach juice, 1 cup of water, lemon slices, ginger slices, whole cloves, and the cinnamon stick.
2. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and let it simmer gently for 10 minutes. This allows the spices to infuse thoroughly into the liquid.
3. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Add the rooibos tea bags directly into the hot liquid. Cover the saucepan again and let the tea steep for 5 minutes.
4. After steeping, strain the tea to remove all the spices and tea bags.
5. Taste the tea and sweeten with honey if desired, adjusting to your personal preference.
6. Pour the hot Spiced Peach Rooibos Tea into two mugs and serve immediately.

Yields: Serves 2.

Kitchen Frau Notes: If you prefer, you can easily substitute the two rooibos teabags with a single regular black teabag for a slightly different flavor profile.

Guten Appetit!

This post is proudly sponsored by California Cling Peaches. I was compensated for developing these delightful recipes, but rest assured, all the writing and opinions expressed are authentically my own. I genuinely adore cooking with and eating these luscious canned peaches – they truly are a pantry staple!

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You might also appreciate these other special holiday feast dishes from my kitchen:

Fleisch Rouladen – A Classic German Christmas Eve Tradition

Maple and Mustard Glazed Turkey with Killer Gravy – Your Holiday Centerpiece

Sauerbraten – A Special Roast Beef Recipe for Celebrations

A Prairie Gift – Seared Duck Breast with Braised Apples and Cabbage