PEACH AND BLUEBERRY PASTRY POCKET WITH VANILLA GLAZE AND CANDIED ALMONDS

Steps:

• For the pastry pocket: To the bowl of a food processor, add the cream cheese, flour, butter, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and 1 tablespoon of the granulated sugar. Pulse to combine until it's the consistency of grated Parmesan cheese. Add the egg yolk and 1 tablespoon of water. Pulse until the dough just comes together. Turn out the dough onto a floured work surface and gently knead into a large disc. Roll the dough into a circle about 1/4 inch thick. Transfer the dough to a sheet tray and cover with plastic wrap, then place in the refrigerator to chill for at least 20 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Set up an ice bath and generously season with kosher salt (it keeps the water cold!). Add the blueberries, peaches and cornstarch to a medium saucepan. Stir to combine, making sure all of the fruit is coated with the cornstarch. Add the cinnamon, thyme bundle, lemon zest and juice, remaining 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 2 tablespoons of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook until thickened, about 10 minutes. Remove the thyme bundle and discard. Transfer the peach and blueberry mixture to a bowl, place over the ice bath and stir to cool down.
• Whisk the whole egg with 1 teaspoon of water to create an egg wash. Place the dough on a floured work surface. Roll out the dough to 1/8 inch thick. Using a 5-inch ring cutter, punch out 8 circles and place on a parchment-lined sheet tray. Brush the edges of one half of each circle with the egg wash. Add 2 tablespoons of filling into the center of each circle, then fold the dough over to create a half moon. Press the edges with your fingers to secure the seam tightly. Crimp the edges using a fork. Make 3 small slits in the top of each pastry pocket with a paring knife.
• Bake, turning the tray halfway through cooking, until golden brown, 15 to 17 minutes. Set the pastry pockets on a sheet tray lined with a rack to cool.
• For the glaze: Sift the powdered sugar using a hand strainer into a large bowl. Add the milk, vanilla extract and lemon juice and whisk to combine. The consistency should be on the thinner side, but still have a slow flow when drizzled with a spoon.
• Spoon the glaze over both sides of the pastry pockets. Garnish with chopped Candied Almonds and flaky sea salt.
• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line a sheet tray with parchment paper.
• Place the egg white into a large bowl with 1 teaspoon of water. Whisk vigorously until it's foamy, frothy and white. Add the granulated sugar and kosher salt and whisk to combine. Fold in the sliced almonds. Spread the almond mixture onto the sheet tray. Bake, giving it a toss halfway through, until golden, about 15 minutes.