Just desserts

For the last few months I've been researching ice cream/sorbet makers - going back and forth between a couple manufacturers and waiting for good deals to pop up. Well, I finally decided on one (a Cuisinart from Amazon.com - free shipping!) but lo and behold on my trip to Costco last Friday I found the same model for $18 less! So instead of paying $50 I took home a very nice machine for $32. 

What finally sold me on this model and brand was the great reviews - thank you Amazon - and the fact that no ice or rock salt is necessary. This particular ice cream maker has a bowl with a liquid core. Just place the bowl in the freezer for at least 8 hours. So easy!

Ok, so this machine holds 1.5 quarts - perfect amount for me and D. I began by cleaning all the components (was dusty coming out of the box) and freezing the bowl portion for 24 hours in one of the garage chest freezers. Yesterday after work I started by making a simple syrup, which is equal parts sugar and water heated on the stove until dissolved and then cooled in the fridge.

Next step is to defrost 1 quart of bagged frozen strawberries and puree in food processor with 4 TBS of lemon juice.

Wheeeeee! My little KitchenAid food processor is tiny but MIGHTY! I like the compact size but it took 4 batches to make the strawberry puree.

Next up: mixing the simple syrup with the strawberry & lemon juice mixture.

Mix, mix, mix.

Time to pull the bowl from the freezer and put the components together. 

Slowly pour the sorbet mixture into the opening at the top of the machine.

Let the magic begin.

The actual sorbet-making inside the machine took a little over 20 minutes. At one point I thought the mixture would come out the top since it sort of grew and multiplied but disaster was averted. The consistency was like soft-serve but after sitting in the fridge overnight it turned into the hard-pack texture. 

I didn't strain the strawberry seeds like the recipe suggested because I don't mind them, but it's an option if you like a smoother texture. In the end I think it was a success - even D liked it! I love sweet stuff and have a major sweet tooth, but this was pretty sugary so I think I'll decrease the simple syrup next time. My next recipes will be vanilla ice cream and Framboise sorbet! YUM.

Photo credit: Lottie + Doof