Fresh & Frosty

Too often during summer, I turn to an ice cream cone, bowl, sundae, sandwich, you name it, but it seems just a bit heavy and cloying in all of that heat. These days, I’m after something more refreshing…and maybe a bit unusual. I’ve been playing around with some sassy recipes for sorbet, and have a few flavor combinations that will not only refresh as a dessert or snack, but would work especially well as a palate cleanser during a special dinner party. Put your notions of ice cream aside, pull out your Donvier and try one of these tasty frozen treats.

Strawberry Balsamic Sorbet
1 pint fresh Driscoll’s strawberries, stemmed
1/4 cup agave nectar
1/4 cup cold water
1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar
3 tablespoons fruit-based balsamic vinegar (like fig, pomegranate or strawberry)

Put strawberries through juice and pulp extractor (juicer). Into storage container, put strawberry juice and all other ingredients. Cover and chill until cold, two hours.

Put mixture into Donvier or your favorite ice cream maker, and follow manufacturer’s instructions. Garnish with a sprig of herb.

Grapefruit Basil Sorbet
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, rinsed
2 cups fresh white grapefruit juice
1/4 cup agave nectar

Bring 1/2 cup water and agave nectar to boil, add basil leaves and turn off heat, leave to cool. Strain water into strained grapefruit juice and chill for two hours until cold.

Put mixture into Donvier or your favorite ice cream maker, and follow manufacturer’s instructions. Serve immediately, garnished with a cluster of basil leaves.

Blueberry Jammin’ Cream
Not technically a sorbet, but light and fresh and spicy! Find Jammin’ Jelly, as it delivers the fire and the flavor.

2 cups fresh blueberries
2/3 cups sour cream
2/3 cups cold water
1 tablespoon Hacienda Maize Jammin’ Jelly (or 2 tablespoons if you can stand the heat)
1/3 cup agave nectar
Pinch salt

Put all ingredients into blender and liquefy. Pour into storage container, cover and chill until cold, two hours.

Put mixture into Donvier or your favorite ice cream maker, and follow manufacturer’s instructions. Serve immediately. Fire and ice!

Buttermilk Dream
Also not technically a sorbet, but this is dreamy. Reminds me of cheesecake, but light and fresh. And what could be simpler!

1/2 cup agave nectar or light honey
1 3/4 cups fresh buttermilk
A few grinds of fresh white pepper

Put mixture into Donvier or your favorite ice cream maker, and follow manufacturer’s instructions. Serve immediately. Yum.