New recipe #3.5 - Berrylicious delight!

This counts only as a half because the recipe is so simple that really, it cannot be remotely considered to fall into the category of 'trying something new'. And yet, it was something new, because I was using my new little mini ice cream maker for the first time. And I had so much fun doing it. From unpacking the little mini ice cream maker, to finding a recipe, to googling additional unnecessary recipes to actually making the sorbet and watching the little plastic blade go round and round in the little mini ice cream maker, to trying to be creative in plating the sorbet so that it looks good in the photo I knew I was going to post here - I was in a world of delight! I was alone at home that weekend, so there was no one to witness my self-inspired pleasure. But if there had been a fly on the wall, it would have seen me grinning inanely from ear to ear. It never ceases to surprise me how much pleasure the simple things can bring.

So let's start at the beginning. I chanced upon the little mini ice cream maker in the local supermarket the week before. I had an ice cream maker before, but that did not come with me when I moved. And to be honest, we never really used that ice cream maker that much. It had to sit in the freezer overnight and we were never that into advance planning when it came to food. Also, there was hardly ever enough space in the freezer, so there was always a great deal or reorganising to be done. And then there was the fact that it was really a bit too big for two persons. Even for a dinner party of four, we struggled to finish of the last bits. So when I saw this one, which is half the size of the other, I thought, perfect! It requires less freezing time and it takes up less space in the freezer - not that freezer space is a problem in my current establishment.

So there I was, marching home with the ice cream maker under my arm - having not brought a big enough bag with me, and having decided against buying a carrier bag because it creates unnecessary waste. Already then, the inane grinning began. Every once in a while, I caught myself grinning and immediately pulled my facial muscles into a casual nonchalant expression again, only to catch myself two minutes later, a-grinning again. My delight then was nothing compared to when I opened the box and saw how tiny and cute the little ice cream machine was. If it is possible to adore a kitchen appliance based on its appearance alone, I do this one. I wish it wasn't green, because I don't really go for green - except in eyes and combat trousers, but that is a different story.

I couldn't wait to get started. I sat at the kitchen table, surrounded by bit of plastic and Styrofoam  and the little mini ice cream maker, and read the instructions, which included a suggested basic recipe for an ice cream and a sorbet. Ding! went the bell in my head. I have lots of frozen raspberries in the fridge, leftover from my raspberry cheesecake. And all I needed other than that was sugar and water. I have that! I could start sorbet production immediately! But then I realised that I would have to wash the machine first and leave it in the freezer for eight hours. I also realised I was hungry and decided that I should probably get something to eat first. Laziness and procrastination, and life in general, took over and so it was not until almost a week later that I eventually found myself staring into the machine, watching the little plastic blade whip around a deep reddish glop.

The recipe for the sorbet itself is so incredible simple:

Ingredients:
80g raspberries (or other fruit), blended

80g sugar, I would reduce this to 50g at most because it was way too sweet for my taste.

80ml water

I also added the juice of half a lemon, only because I decided that I would like a bit of sharpness in my sorbet.

Steps: 
1. Boil water and sugar, till sugar is dissolved.
2. Remove from heat and add blended fruit. I did not blend the raspberries completely because I wanted to have raspberry bits in the sorbet. I put the mixture into the freezer to let it chill a bit before starting the machine, because then it takes less time in the ice cream machine. But not too long that ice crystals start to form in the mixture!
3. Pour mixture into ice cream machine and switch on before it freezers to the bowl. Staring at the blade going round, optional.

And voila!

And because the recipe was so simple, I thought that maybe I should pimp it up a bit so that it becomes like a proper plate of dessert. So, I started googling recipes for raspberry coulis, only to realise that that too is actually quite simple - except for the trickiness of getting the sugar and raspberry balance, and the consistency, just right. I gave up that idea in the end. I could have gone for some chocolate sauce if I had some, but all I had at home was caramel sauce, and I don't think that would have worked. I went for the basil in the end, which I have to say, works beautifully with the raspberry.

I was actually rather disappointed that I took a bit too long in getting the sorbet and the raspberries and the basil to sit exactly how I wanted them to before I took the photo, because by that point, the sorbet had begun to melt a bit, as can be seen by the little puddle of raspberry deliciousness on the plate. I was also kicking myself for not having thought to chill the plate before I started the whole plating and photo taking process. When I voiced these thoughts to others, I got told off for being a perfectionist. I opened by mouth to protest, prompt shut it again, realising that my defence that "I just wanted it to be perfect" kinda supports their point... I am not actually a perfectionist, not usually anyway.

All in all, I had such a fun time with this entire endeavour. And the sorbet was delicious! The flavour was so intense. The lemon juice was definitely a good idea. It really intensified the flavour, at least I think it did. Also, having never really thought about it before, I was amazed by how the colour turned out. I certainly did not expect such a deep intense colour. But then again, thinking about how raspberry stains your fingers and clothes if you squish one, it is really not that surprising.

I now have a ice cream recipe book on it's way to me in the post. I can't wait! *silly grin