Peaches are delightful prepared this way, but apricots, cherries, or a mixture of both will yield equally good results. Serve warm in a bowl with vanilla ice cream.

　　

Ingredients

serves 8

　　

For the Peach Layers

3 pounds ripe peaches

　　Grated rind and juice of 1 medium-small lemon

　　3/4 cup sugar

　　

For the Bread Layers

3/4 stick (6 tablespoons) butter

　　8 slices (approximately 5 by 3 1/2 inches) country bread, cut, not too thick, from a round country loaf

　　1 1/2 tablespoons sugar

　　

For the Crumb Topping

1/3 cup flour

　　1/4 cup sugar

　　1 tablespoon dark-brown sugar

　　1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

　　A pinch of salt

　　1/2 stick (4 tablespoons) butter

　　3 tablespoons finely chopped almonds

　　

Recommended Equipment

A shallow baking dish, approximately 8 by 10 inches

　　

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350°.

　　

Step 2

Peel the peaches and cut them into approximately 1/4-inch wedges. Toss them in a bowl with the lemon rind and juice and 3/4 cup sugar.

　　

Step 3

Melt 3 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet and lay in half of the bread slices. Brown them lightly on one side, then turn them and brown the other side. Repeat with the remaining butter and bread slices, and when all are done, sprinkle the 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar over them.

　　

Step 4

Line the bottom of the baking dish with half the bread slices; they should just cover the bottom. Spoon half of the peaches and half of their juices on top, then arrange a second layer of bread slices over the surface, and a final layer of peaches and juice.

　　

Step 5

Prepare the topping by tossing together in a bowl the flour, sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Cut the butter into small cubes and mix them with the dry ingredients, using your fingertips or a pastry cutter to incorporate the butter, but not too thoroughly—leave small, flaky pieces of butter throughout. Fold in the chopped almonds.

　　

Step 6

Sprinkle the topping evenly over the peach lasagna, and bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour. Test after 50 minutes; if the peaches were very ripe and juicy, it will be done. Otherwise, it will take the full hour or a little more; the peaches should be tender, the juices bubbling all around, and the top nicely browned. If the peaches seem done (and you don’t want them to dry out) but the crumb topping is still pale, slip the dish under a hot broiler for a minute or two. Serve warm.

　　From Lidia's Family table by Lidia Matticchio Bastianich Copyright (c) 2004 by Lidia Matticchio Bastianich Published by Knopf.Lidia Bastianich hosts the hugely popular PBS show, "Lidia's Italian-American kitchen" and owns restaurants in New York City, Kansas City, and Pittsburgh. Also the author of Lidia's Italian Table and Lidia's Italian-American Kitchen, she lives in Douglaston, New York. Jay Jacob's journalism has appeared in many national magazines.From the Trade Paperback edition.