Strawberry-Balsamic Sorbet

 

This my friends, is the perfect scoop of summer. A strawberry sorbet that stays true to the berry’s sweet flavor, with harmonies sung by a fantastic strawberry balsamic.  This is summer in a dish.

I found myself getting carried away at Mischler’s Berry Farm and picking myself two flats of strawberries.  Needless to say my freezer is full of berries now.  I did fill a large Tupperware container so I had berries to use throughout the week.

I’ve made everything from shortcakes, ice cream bread etc.  This recipe however, is my favorite.  Balsamic vinegar and strawberries go together like chocolate and peanut butter.  I love the acidic bite coupled with the sweetness of the berry.  It truly is one of my favorite flavor combinations.

This recipe is easy and quick. In no time you will be diving your spoon into a bowlful of bliss.  Trust me.

Supplies

• 3 pints strawberries
• 1 c granulated sugar
• 1 c water
• 3 tablespoon balsamic vinegar (I used strawberry baslamic from Oro di Oliva out of Wauwatosa, WI)

Hull your berries  and pulse in a food processor.  I chose to leave my berries a tad on the chunky side. I like finding chunks of berry while I enjoy my sorbet.  Place pulsed berries in a large bowl and add the balsamic.  Set aside.

Heat the water and sugar in sauce pan until boiling.  Lower heat and let simmer until sugar is completely dissolved.  Let cool completely and add to strawberries mixing well.

Add mixture to your ice cream machine (I used the kitchenaid attachment) and process until desired thickness.

You can scoop some into a bowl (or in my case eat right out of the ice cream maker) immediately or store in a freezer safe container and store in your freezer to enjoy later.

You will love this.

 

 

Lemon, Lime & Mint Sorbet

I think I’ve outdone myself.  I made sorbet last season.  It was my first time, and I didn’t have an ice cream attachment for the kitchen aid mixer.  Heck, I didn’t even have a kitchen aid mixer last season. 

I love lemons and I love limes.  I especially love the mint that grows at HighCross Farm.  Put all three together and you get something that is completely sublime.  I love the flecks of mint and zest in the sorbet.

You should be warned, this recipe calls for the use of raw beaten egg whites.  They are crucial.  Trust me when I tell you they give the sorbet a wonderfully creamy texture.

Supplies

• 2 c granulated sugar
• 2 c water
• 1 cup of lemon and lime juice (It took me about four lemons and five limes to get a cup)
• zest of 2 lemons and 2 limes
• 1 good handful of fresh mint
• 2 egg whites beaten to stiff peaks

In a medium sauce pan add the water and sugar.  Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally.  Once the mixture gets to boiling, take off the heat and let cool to room temperature.

In a blender or food processor, chop the zest and the mint.  Set aside.

In a large bowl, add the simple syrup, lemon/lime juice and zest/mint mixture.  Stir.  You might want to pour the juice into the syrup in batches and taste before you add more.  I say this because some people like their sorbet on the sweet side, some on the sour.  Myself, I prefer mine on the sour side. 

Ok, if you do not have an ice cream maker you can put in the freezer.  Stir with a wisk every thiry mins for a couple of hours to incorporate some air. Add the beaten egg whites at your last stir.  Let freeze over night.

If you have an ice cream maker, chill the mixture over night.  Once thoroghly chilled, churn in your ice cream maker using instructions for whichever ice cream maker you have. 

During the last 10-15 of churing, add the beaten egg whites.  Transfer to a container and let freeze for at least 8 hours.

Scoop out into your favorite dish and enjoy! I sure did.  (It will not last long, trust me!)

One more picture..close up.