Saffron Nectarine Tart

 Ingredients:

1 pie pastry
1 teaspoon saffron threads
2 tablespoons hot water
1 cup almond milk
1-1/4 cup whipping cream
3 tablespoons agave
2 tablespoons vanilla bean paste
2 teaspoons lemon zest
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon agar
a pinch of salt
3-4 nectarines, sliced
1 tablespoon vegan honey
1 sprig fresh thyme

Bake the pie pastry until golden and set aside.

Grind the saffron with mortar and pestle and place in a saucepan with the hot water. Allow to steep. Add the milk and 1 cup of the cream to the saucepan and bring to a simmer.  Add the agave, vanilla, and lemon zest. Meanwhile, combine remaining cream with the cornstarch, agar, and salt. Whisk into the boiling mixture and stir until thickened. Pour over the pastry and refrigerate for a couple of hours. 

Slice the nectarines and arrange them over the tart. Drizzle with honey and sprinkle with a few thyme leaves.

Nectarine Upside Down Cake

Ingredients:

3 nectarines, cut into thin slices
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup coconut oil or vegan butter
3/4 cup almond yogurt
1/2 cup applesauce
1 egg replacer
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cup flour (can substitute 1/2 cup almond flour)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

Arrange the nectarines in an overlapping pattern on a parchment paper lined baking pan and set aside.

Combine sugar and oil or butter and stir in the applesauce, egg replacer, vanilla, almond extract, and salt. Add the dry ingredients and fold in the apple cider vinegar. Spread evenly over the nectarines.

Bake at 350 for 40 minutes or until golden. Allow to sit 10 minutes before flipping cake onto a serving platter.

Nectarine Mint Lemonade

Ingredients:

2 nectarines, peeled
1/2 cup sugar
juice of 2 lemons
2 tablespoons mint leaves
1-1/2 cup sparkling water
ice

In a blender, combine nectarine, sugar, lemon juice, and mint. Blend until smooth and pour into a pitcher.  Stir in the sparkling water and adjust sweetness as needed. Serve with ice.

Vanilla Nectarine Agua Fresca

Ingredients:

8 nectarines
1/4 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
1 tablespoon sugar (to taste)
cold water
ice

Combine nectarine, sugar, vanilla, and cold water in a blender and puree until completely blended. Run mixture through cheesecloth if desired. Serve over ice.