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The Perfect Scoop of Strawberry Sorbet

YumSugar — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 15:45:18 -0700

I've had this great book, The Perfect Scoop by David Lebovitz, on my desk for a few weeks now. I've been drooling over it every day, but it was either too cold for ice cream, or the ice cream machine wasn't ready, or I was just too lazy. Lucky for me, I saw that Eat Drink Live was hosting a sorbet challenge and it was enough inspiration to whip up a batch of David's strawberry sorbet. The result was a delicious sweet treat with just the right amount of tartness. The best part was that it came together with very little effort. In fact, it was so easy, I decided to make an alternate version with balsamic vinegar and basil added in. If you've never made your own sorbet, stop reading and start creating! But first you're going to need the recipe. To check it out, read more

Strawberry Sorbet
Reprinted with permission from The Perfect Scoop: Ice Creams, Sorbets, Granitas, and Sweet Accompaniments by David Lebovitz. Copyright 2007. Published by Ten Speed Press.

1 pound (450 g) fresh strawberries, rinsed & hulled
3/4 cup (150 g) sugar
1 tsp kirsch (optional)
1 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
pinch of salt

Makes about 3 cups (750 ml)

Slice the strawberries and toss them in a medium bowl with the sugar and kirsch, if using, stirring until the sugar begins to dissolve.
Cover and let stand for 1 hour, stirring every so often.
Purée the strawberries and their liquid with the lemon juice and salt in a blender or food processor until smooth.
Press the mixture through a strainer to remove seeds if you wish. [I decided to leave them].
Chill the mixture thoroughly, then freeze it in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Enjoy!

Variation: I decided to go ahead and make a 2nd batch of my own variation. In Step 1 I substituted kirsch with 1 tbsp of good quality balsamic vinegar and added 4 large leafs of chiffonaded basil. I also omitted the lemon juice in step 3. The result was a refreshing strawberry balsamic basil treat. To me it tasted like summer, although Jimmy thought the basil was overpowering and the balsamic vinegar not prominent enough. I guess next time I'll add less basil and more balsamic, but I was really happy with my results!

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52 Weeks of Baking: Ice Cream Cones

YumSugar — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 13:01:18 -0700

With the weather heating up, my thoughts keep turning to ice cream and other frozen treats. So when it came time to bake something, I didn't know where to begin. Luckily in his new book, The Perfect Scoop, the amazing David Lebovitz included a recipe for homemade ice cream cones. He recommends purchasing specialty cone molds, but said it was completely do-able without them. If I can make something without having to buy special equipment, then I'm all for it. They turned out a little rough around the edges, however they were relatively simple and had a nice delicate vanilla flavor - and bonus you can tell your friends you made them yourself! If you fancy giving your own ice cream cones a try (and I suggest you do), then get the recipe now, read more

Ice Cream Cones
Reprinted with permission from The Perfect Scoop: Ice Creams, Sorbets, Granitas, and Sweet Accompaniments by David Lebovitz. Copyright 2007. Published by Ten Speed Press.

1/4 cup (60ml) egg whites (about 2 large egg whites)
7 tbsp (85 g) sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/8 tsp salt
2/3 cup (90g) flour
2 tbsp (30g) unsalted butter, melted

Preheat the oven to 350F (175C).
In a small mixing bowl, stir together the egg whites, sugar and vanilla. Stir in the salt and half of the flour, then mix in the melted butter. Beat in the rest of the flour until smooth.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and use a small offset spatula or the back of a spoon to spread 2 level tbsp of the batter into a circle 6 inches (15cm) across. Try to get the circles as even and smooth as possible (you're likely to get 2 rounds on one standard baking sheet).
Put the baking sheet in the oven and begin checking the cones after about 10 minutes. Depending on your oven, they'll take between 10 and 15 minutes to bake. The circles should be a deep golden brown throughout (some lighter and darker spots are inevitable so don't worry). Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Use a thin metal spatula to loosen the edge of one disk. Slide the spatula under the disk, quickly flip it over, and immediately roll it around the cone-rolling form [Note: If you don't have a cone-rolling form, you can try to roll by hand, they will probably not be as tightly formed. Also, you may wish to wear clean rubber gloves, as the cookies will be quite warm to the touch.], pressing the seam firmly on the counter to close the cone and pinching the point at the bottom securely closed. Let the cone cool slightly on the mold until it feels firm, then slide it off and stand it upright in a tall glass to cool. Roll the other cone the same way. (If it's too firm, return the baking sheet to the oven for a minute or so until it's pliable again.)
Repeat, using the remaining batter. You'll find it easier to spread the batter if you slide the reusable parchment paper off the baking sheet; any heat from the baking sheet will make the batter fussy to spread.

Storage: The batter can be made up to 4 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Let the batter come to room temperature before using. Once baked and cooled, store the cones in an airtight container until ready to serve. They're best eaten the same day they're baked.

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For Perfectly Round Cookies, Scoop Your Cookie Dough

YumSugar — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 08:58:31 -0700

I found this scoop & release cookie dropper the other day and immediately balked. While it might seem like a genius idea, I've got a great tip that works just as well. Instead of investing $9 on a cookie dropper, why not spend the same amount on an ice cream scooper instead? I use mine every time I make cookies. It's a great way to come up with uniform drops for even baking, and the perfectly round scoop creates perfectly round cookies, making your cookies look like they came from a professional bakery! Just remember, that a larger scoop size will create a larger cookie, meaning longer baking time. And conversely a smaller scoop will create smaller cookies, meaning a shorter baking time.

Source: Kitchen Contraptions

Sweet 'n' Creamy Caramelized Figs With Ricotta Mousse

YumSugar — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 16:15:07 -0700

I am falling for figs and can't resist trying just about every recipe! After enjoying the figs in a blanket, it was time for something sweet rather than savory. Something like caramelized figs with ricotta mousse.

The simple, light, orange-infused ricotta mousse can be made ahead of time, and caramelizing the figs only takes about 15 minutes. When adding the balsamic vinegar to the syrup - be careful! - I suggest having the pan's lid handy to avoid any splatter.

Once the mousse is topped with warm balsamic caramel and sweet figs, it's the perfect dessert to finish a Fall dinner. If you are short on time and can't make the smooth creamy ricotta mousse, the caramelized figs would be equally tasty served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. To get started caramelizing your own figs, keep reading.

Must-Read: BBQ Bash

partysugar — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 08:00:59 -0700

Last year I received a copy of BBQ Bash: The Be-All, End-All Party Guide, from Barefoot to Black Tie ($16.95) by Karen Adler and Judith Fertig. I quickly flipped through the pages, but since it was October, I stored it on the book shelf.

Then two weeks ago I was sitting on my couch, looked up, and swore BBQ Bash jumped out at me. I scooped it up and started reading. To find out why I couldn't put this book down - even on the bus - read more.

Pros:

It's written by two females, the BBQ Queens, so instead of taking a stereotypical manly point of view, the tone offers a refreshing anyone-can-do-it attitude.
Filled with hundreds of mouthwatering recipes, helpful tips, party plans, interesting lists (example: 15 different flavored butters), general information on grilling, smoking, and barbecuing.
To the authors, barbecue is a 24/seven, 365-day-a-year thing - meaning there is something for everyone.
The party plans are festive and fun. They include such themes as A Black-Tie Barbecue, Home For the Holidays Barbecue, and A Cozy Dinner a Deux.
There're plenty of cocktail recipes, too.

Cons:

Lack of photos. There's a small color photo spread in the center of the book that features 14 images. Other than that, the book is photo-free.
Some of the recipes call for specialty ingredients like artisanal prosciutto, peppadews, and tarragon vinegar.
Other recipes are uncreative and rely on store-made products. A salmon recipe is little more than salmon fillets marinated in Italian dressing and Seafood Magic rub.
There's no index or list of the drink recipes making them hard to find.

Recipes: Each recipe is followed up with helpful pointers: to "deck it out" (make the dish seem more formal), to "take it easy" (simplify the recipe), to "change it up" (meat, herb, and cheese substitutions), and to "raise a glass" (alcoholic beverage pairing suggestions). Here are some that caught my eye:

Rioja-style grilled pork tenderloin tapas
Limoncello spritzers
Big Easy grilled beef tenderloin, Zinfandel-glazed baby back ribs with a kiss of smoke
Blue cheese coleslaw
Grilled Winter-greens with warm cranberry port-vinaigrette
Grilled chocolate crostini
Dulce de leche sauce

Imagery: As mentioned above, there are only 14 color photos. The rest of the book is filled with curvy illustrations.

Overall: If you do a lot of outdoor entertaining and don't mind a cookbook without images, this book is perfect for you!

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Tips For Enjoying Caviar

YumSugar — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 11:23:56 -0800

Last weekend, PartySugar and I spent most of our time eating and drinking at the Winter Fancy Foods Show, the largest food show in North America. With more than 250,000 food and beverage products on display, one could say that perhaps I bit off a little more than I could chew.

We tasted wine, cheese, meat, and everything else you can think of (more on that later!), but one of the biggest highlights had to be learning more about caviar from the pros. I turned to Ali Bolourchi and Michael Kupfer of Pacific Plaza Imports, a California-based caviar importer, to get some tips. To find out how to serve, taste, and enjoy caviar, read more.

What to buy: True caviar, the most prized (and therefore expensive!) is from Russian sturgeon. However, if you've never tasted caviar, American sturgeon is a great starting point, and only costs $20 to $25 an ounce - a fraction of the cost of the real thing. Also, know what it is that you're tasting: Neither red caviar or salmon roe is technically caviar. Genuine caviar falls under three categories: beluga, osetra, and sevruga.
How to taste: The best caviar should be devoid of smell, and should taste clean, buttery, and not too salty. The eggs should have a nice pop to them, and shouldn't be soupy or sticky.
How to serve: Buy a mother-of-pearl spoon to scoop the caviar, as metal imparts an unwanted flavor to the eggs. Each taste should contain a gram or two of caviar. Serve on a toast point, canapé, or blini, with smoked salmon, creme fraîche, lemon, and chive.
If you truly want to taste the pure flavor of caviar, serve the caviar solo on the nook of the hand between the index finger and thumb.

Of course, I couldn't learn fully without experiencing the taste of caviar. Michael served DeSietra Farms Siberian sturgeon caviar that was sustainably farmed in Germany. It was not fishy at all, and subtly briny, with a nutty finish - the perfect way to end a lesson about caviar.

Are you a fan of the delicacy? What are your favorite ways to enjoy it?

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What's Yummy This Week - YumSugar Weekly Recap

YumSugar — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 09:30:56 -0800

This pomegranate guacamole is tart, colorful, and perfect for a holiday appetizer.
What's your stand on using produce that's out of season?
Celebrate the repeal of Prohibition with Le Coup de Jarnac.
PartySugar's got the Top Chef scoop on this week's elimination.
Shop for your favorite foodies this season with the help of our holiday gift guides!
Find out how much you know about classic Christmas desserts.
Try your hand at savory thumbprints made with ham and cheese.

Plum Delicious Crumble With Pistachios

YumSugar — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 14:00:21 -0700

One of my favorite things about Summer is when friends occasionally stop by with a large bag of freshly picked fruit from their gardens. This past weekend, my dear friend bestowed on me a basket full of fresh plums. I could have made a pie, but I was in the mood for an easy, yet delicious crumble.
Crumbles are stewed fruit with a mixture of butter, flour, and sugar to make a crisp topping once baked. I added pistachios to the topping for extra crunch and spicy fresh ginger to the plum filling. Combine with a scoop of ice cream or dollop of whipped cream to make this fruity, nutty, and crunchy crumble the perfect Summer dessert. Crumbles are easily altered to suit just about any taste, so to learn how to make one, read more!

Plum and Pistachio Crumble
Modified from Delicious Crumbles & Cobblers

Ingredients

8 firm but ripe plums
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp freshly grated ginger or ground ginger
grated zest of lemon

Crumble Topping
1 1/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 tsp freshly grated ginger or ground ginger
1/4 brown sugar, plus extra for sprinkling
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup chopped pistachios

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Using a sharp knife, halve the plums, remove and discard the pits, then cut the flesh into fairly thick slices.
Mix the plums with sugar, ginger, and lemon zest. Divide the plum mixture evenly into each of six ramekins. Cook for 5-10 minutes until heated through.

Crumble Topping

Put the flour, ginger, pistachios, and sugar in a large bowl. Mix in the melted butter until crumbly.
Carefully arrange the crumble over the plums in an even layer; keep your touch light, or the crumble will sink into the filling and go mushy. Scatter a touch more sugar on the top of each.
Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the crumble topping is golden brown. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Makes 6 individual crumbles.

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What's Yummy This Week - YumSugar Weekly Recap

YumSugar — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 09:30:17 -0700

Crackle, crunch: the sound of s'mores (and fallen leaves) at our campfire fiesta.
Check out our complete coverage of Slow Food Nation.
East vs. West Coast: Momofuku mogul David Chang reveals his top restaurant picks.
My best lunch ever was a shrimp po'boy drizzled with Louisiana-style rémoulade.
TeaZazz is the latest tea beverage to hit the market.
You gave us the scoop on your favorite burgers of all time.
Stay cool with these icy, spicy, cucumber and cantaloupe paletas.
Meet the margarita's tropical cousin, the guavarita.
PartySugar's caprese skewers are the perfect Summer bite.
As Summer ends, help us find a new Fall cookbook.

Off to Market Recap: Ice Cream Bowls

partysugar — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 07:00:11 -0700

Enjoying ice cream during the Summer is an American pastime. To properly relish this creamy, cool treat the right utensils are necessary. I prefer to eat ice cream from a bowl rather than the carton, so I asked you to help me find the best ice cream bowls. You looked for small, round, pretty bowls that are perfect for displaying plump scoops of luscious ice cream. You bookmarked the bowls in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag, Ice Cream Bowls.

How fabulously patriotic are these red, white, and blue ice cream bowls that jspeed discovered? When placed in the freezer a few minutes before serving, the stoneware retains coldness and stops the ice cream from melting. For more bowls, browse the collection below!

Learn how to bookmark by reading geeksugar's directions.