Saturday, July 10, 2010

Lemon Sorbet


I don't know if you've noticed, but it's been really hot. Around here, summer has definitely arrived and won't be leaving until sometime in November. South Florida is a great place, from November to April. Now, not so much.  

You step outside and immediately feel like you've entered a sauna. The AC in your car does not feel cool until you have arrived at your destination. There is only so much heat Betty Crapper can take before she melts, or has a melt down.

A few days ago a bag of lemons prevented a melt down. I was hot. I was tired. Betty Crapper's ten month old was crying to be picked up; and then, I saw the bag of lemons on the counter.



Betty Crapper has a weakness for frozen lemonade. How many spoonfuls do you think she ate before the sorbet was completely frozen?


Lemon Sorbet
Adapted from David Lebovitz's The Perfect Scoop

2 1/2 cups water
1 cup sugar
zest from 2 lemons
1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (6-7 lemons)

Mix 1/2 cup water and sugar in a medium saucepan. Add the zest of 2 lemons. Heat and stir until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and add remaining 2 cups water. Chill mixture in refrigerator. Once chilled add the lemon juice and freeze in your ice cream maker. Makes about 1 quart.

Notes

It was very tart and perfect for me. I can't wait to make it again. 

I gave some to my mother in law and it was too tart for her. If you like your lemonade sweet use 1 1/4 cups sugar! 

How do you like your lemonade? Betty Crapper wants to know.

18 comments:

  1. OH MY GOODNESS, that looks so good! I just may have to surprise my husband and make that sometime next week. Yum! I'm wondering if you could do it with other fruits though?

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  2. It is supposed to be hot next week in Colorado. The lemons are already waiting in the fridge. Great idea. Thanks for sharing.

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  3. I made lemonade popsicles today, which is sort of similar to this :P

    FYI to anyone like me without an ice cream maker, you can still make this but it takes a little more effort. Just wait for the sorbet to freeze over (just enough for the top layer to be frozen) and stir. Keep repeating this a few times until the concoction has the right texture. I love sorbet. May even be worth purchasing an ice cream maker, just so it's easier. :D

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  4. This looks so simple and easy! Do you think I could make it using Splenda for baking or Stevia?.. we have diet restrictions here :(

    I've been dying to use my vintage ice cream maker and this would keep the kids busy too ;o)

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  5. PS - I see you under the "5 Most Recent Blogs" today on Foodie Blogroll - congrats :)

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  6. Carey, yes sorbets are made with just about any fruit. I'm not sure as to the water/sugar ratio. I know there's lots of recipes out there. I highly recommend David Lebovitz's The Perfect Scoop. I checked it out from the library and will be buying it when I have to return it. It's that good.

    My Kitchen in the Rockies, you are welcome. It must be nice to have seasons instead of wet/dry like I do here in S Florida.

    postmommy, thanks for the info. That's like a granita, which I've never done before. I can't wait to try that.

    Sarah, I don't cook with Splenda or Stevia so I can't vouch for them. I do know the Splenda website says you can make sorbet with it, but it won't be as creamy. See their FAQ's
    http://www.splenda.com/faq/cooking-baking

    and thanks Sarah.

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  7. Yum! I like my lemonade or lemon sorbet on the sour side...I put less sugar into just about everything.

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  8. This is perfect!I love your photos.If you won't mind I'd love to guide Foodista readers to this post.Just add the foodista widget to the end of this post and it's all set, Thanks!

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  9. I love lemon sorbet, the tarter the better for me.

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  10. Boy, oh, boy! This sounds delicious. It really is hard to beat a DL recipe. I really have to try this. Have a great day. Blessings...Mary

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  11. I am with you- I think the tart flavor makes it all the more refreshing!

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  12. This is wonderful! I am going to make some!!
    Sue in VT

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  13. What a great idea :) So glad it prevented a meltdown!

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  14. That looks so good! I am going to have make some...with the extra sugar :) I like it sweet!

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  15. Okay what a great idea. This is worth a shot to try. And you are so right has it ever been hot!

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  16. fabulous!!

    by the way... what photo program are you using for your photo collages?

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  17. This is exactly what I need right now! So cool and refreshing, but best of all delicious!

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  18. I NEED AN ICE CREAM MAKER!!!!

    Lots of yummy love,
    Alex aka Ma, What's For Dinner
    www.mawhats4dinner.com

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