mini peach-basil puff pastry pie

I saw the movie Because I Said So this weekend. It's all about this mother who tries to find a boyfriend/husband for her youngest daughter since all of the men that the daughter has chosen for herself have not been compatible matches.

They don't mesh.

I've been going through that.

To be honest, for the past 6 months or so I've been meeting men who I don't mesh with causing me to swear off dating.

Let me list the scenarios:

Man 1: My friend introduced us and after only 1 time together it was evident that we would never get along. Not only was he late to meet up with me, but he then proceeded to SCOLD me during a discussion. What?! Ok, bye.

Man 2: We met at the now defunct Borders bookshop. Really normal, right. Well as time went on I found out that he was lying to me about his age (22 instead of 27) and his job (unemployed instead of high-school football coach). What?! Dear God; why me.

Being 22 and unemployed is not a horrible thing. The fact is he lied to me. But, chances are if you're 22 and unemployed I probably won't date you, so...

Man 3: He was obsessed with his cat. Gross. I tried  to not be judgmental about that one, but I already have my own negative feelings toward cats so when you add the obsessive component, I couldn't really mesh with him. It was over before it started--once again.

After Man 3 I decided that I am done for the rest of 2011.

So, while I haven't found anyone that I'm compatible with, I relish in the fact that there are certain things that you think shouldn't go well  together, but they magically do!

Like peaches and basil.

Peaches and basil are perfect together. ALWAYS.

It's one of my favorite flavor combination's and using it as a filling for these mini puff pastry pies was genius.

So while I keep striking out with these weirdo men, I'll keep in mind that more often than not I'll be able to make things go well together in my tiny and cozy little kitchen. :)

I served these alongside rich vanilla ice-cream and it was d-e-l-i-c-i-o-u-s.

Mini Peach Basil Puff Pastry Pies--Adapted from O, The Oprah Magazine

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup sugar
• A big handful of basil leaves (I don't remember how much I used--maybe a cup)
• 3 whole peaches peeled, pitted, and cubed
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch (I actually don't think this was necessary)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste (or just vanilla)
• 1 sheet of puff pastry
• 1 egg + 1 tablespoon of water for egg wash  as well as turbinado sugar
  

1. Bring the water and sugar to a boil for about 3 minutes until  it thickens but not changing color.

2. Take off the burner and let it cool for a bit. Transfer it to a food processor or blender along with the basil. Pulse it until it's combined. Taste and add more basil  if you want more basil punch.

3. Take your cubed and peeled peaches and mix it with the basil mixture, vanilla,and cornstarch. Cover it with plastic wrap and let the flavors meld for about an hour.

4. When ready, preheat oven to 400 degrees, unroll your puff pastry and cut out eight 4 inch circles. Spray a muffin tin with oil and then line a muffin tin with the first four pastry circles.

5. Spoon peach mixture into the tins lined with the pastry and then take the remaining pastry circles and top each muffin cup making sure to seal them tightly. Brush tops with egg wash and turbinado sugar.

6. Bake for 25-35 minutes until golden brown. Serve and enjoy!

Linked to:
A Well Seasoned Life
Sweet As Sugar Cookies