Baked Vanilla Cardamom Nectarines

By Simply Scratch

Ingredients

4 nectarines (slightly firm but not over-ripe)
2 tablespoons light brown sugar (granulated sugar or honey)
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 cup orange juice
1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste (or pure vanilla extract)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter (cut into 8 pieces)
4 scoops vanilla ice cream (see recipe notes)
1 cup honey almond granola (see recipe notes)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary (see recipe notes)

Prep Time20mins
Cook Time20mins
Servings4

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (OR 180°C).Cut the nectarines in half like you would an avocado, starting at the stem and circle around. Remove the pits and any of the remaining stem and discard. Setting the nectarines off to the side.

In a small bowl, measure and add brown sugar, cardamom, cinnamon and ground nutmeg. Mix well until combined and set off to the side.

To a the orange juice add vanilla bean paste or pure vanilla extract. Mix well to incorporate.

In a baking dish or nonstick pan, pour in the vanilla orange juice and place the nectarines cut-side up in the pan. Evenly sprinkle about 1 teaspoon of the spiced sugar over top and into the center of the nectarines and dot with a piece of butter. Slide the pan onto the middle rack of your preheated oven for 30 minutes rotating the pan halfway through baking.

Once baked, brush the buttery brown sugar mixture that has collected in the center of the nectarines. Let cool slightly.

Divide 2 nectarines per bowl and top it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, 1/4 cup of granola and a sprinkle of chopped fresh rosemary.You could even drizzle a little of the syrup that's in the baking dish over top.Note: If the syrup is somewhat stuck on the bottom of the pan, while warm, add a little splash of orange juice and use a spatula to scrape and soften it.