Blueberry Sherbet - Patriotism on Ice
Sherbet The Easy Way
If anyone has read my Dark Chocolate Nut Recipe they know I am all for easy. This means less ingredients and less instructions. So when I discovered this quick and easy sherbet recipe I had to try. It is the perfect way to eat my blueberries and enjoy them.
Only three ingredients that might not already be in your kitchen, a blender/processor, and a freezer. Now tell me is there anything easier around for a hot summer day to cool you off?
I must admit a chef I am not. No way will I spend a lot of time in the kitchen. I also like the food I cook to have at least some health benefits and be low in sugar and salt. Sounds bland - no way!
Photos are mine unless otherwise noted.
This recipe is actually iced fresh fruit. Ripe juicy blueberries with a touch of real lemon zest and juice. A dessert that can be served to the whole family whether they are on a health kick or on a diet.
Cook Time
Prep Time: less than 10 minutes
Total Time: freeze overnight
Serves: about six servings
Ingredients
- 3 cups of fresh or frozen (thawed) blueberries
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1/8 teaspoon of salt
- Optional: strawberry and whip cream for a patriotic flair
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a blender or food processor.
- Process until smooth. This is important, otherwise it won't freeze correctly.
- Place mixture in a freezer container. Best if allowed to harden in freezer overnight.
- Let stand for about 10 minutes before serving.
- Voila you have sherbert!
- I found this recipe in numerous cookbooks and on various recipe sites when I was looking for a different cold summer treat. I could not resist it, since it was so very easy to make. I am passing it on with my own twists and recommendations.
Health Benefits
Not just ordinary sherbet
What if I told you this sherbet helps prevent age-related memory loss and cell damage. No, I am not kidding, at least by today's thinking. This sorbet is loaded with antioxidants, especially in the blueberries.
Blueberries are full of vitamin C and have manganese for great bones. Manganese also helps turn carbs into the energy needed to do exercise. You do work out don't you?
The citrus juice in the lemon helps your body absorb the antioxidants.
In addition, there are four grams of fiber in each cup and only 83 calories. That means it helps towards the 25 grams of fiber suggested per day without adding a lot of calories.
Make it Patriotic
Add Red and White
To make this dish for Memorial Day or Fourth of July add a strawberry on top of a dollop of whip cream.
The whip cream I used was Reddi Whip, which has nothing in it. Well, of course, it has milk and sugar but for the amount used there are no calories, fat, sugar or carbs.
Now you have a red, white and blue dessert. Ready for your patriotic holiday celebrations.
I am certain my presentation is less than stellar, but we eat it not look at it. I just plopped on the whip cream and stuck a strawberry on the top. A food designer I am not.
Try it and See
Not everyone is a blueberry fan, so I would like to know if you are going to try my recipe. Remember even if you do not like blueberries, there are many other berries you can use instead.
For this debate, however, I would like to know if you will try my blueberry recipe.
Would you Try My Recipe
Substitutions
Blueberries Not Your Cup of Fruit
No need to skip this recipe if you do not like blueberries. Any berry can be substituted, including, blackberries, strawberries, or raspberries. If there is an exotic berry you love and can find, by all means use it.
My husband is a diabetic, so instead of two tablespoons honey, I use one. You can use any sugar substitute, if you like your sorbet to be sweet. Berries have a natural sweetness, so no added sugar also works fine.
There is no gluten in this dessert, so no worries if you have a gluten problem.
Photo: From www.health.com, click on image for site.
Summer Desserts
There are so many desserts that work well for summer. Let me know what you like to serve.
Photo: Summer Desserts
What is Your Favorite Summer Dessert
KitchenAid 7 Cup Food Processor - Works Great
I was reluctant to buy a food processor, because I did not think it would be of much use to me. But all my friends were buying food processors and raving about them, so I thought I would give it a try.
I chose a KitchenAid 7 cup food processor and immediately fell in love with it.
This processor is light weight, so I can move it around the kitchen without any problem.
The KitchenAid comes with a slicer/shredder that works great even on potatoes and carrots, which are hard to slice and shred.
It has a multipurpose blade, which is the one I use the most, as the all purpose blending tool. It works great and is the blade I used for this recipe.
The cover for the bowl had a long tubular opening with a separate food pusher that allows you to add ingredients without spattering them all over your kitchen.
This processor also comes with a spatula for scraping the sides of the bowl during blending.
There are a couple of great add ons that are not included. A 3-cup mini bowl for small recipes that don't need a large bowl, and a citrus press that makes it easy to squeeze the juice from any citrus fruit, even a large grapefruit.
The KitchenAid Food Processor is so easy to clean, either by hand or in the dishwasher. All parts, except the base can be put in the dishwasher. I clean the parts by hand. They are so easy to clean, why bother taking up space in the dishwasher.
Summer Recipe Books - Lots of Dessert Options
I realize not everyone will like this recipe, so here are some great books for more warm weather dessert ideas.