What is...Sorbet?

With all this summer heat, I thought the best things to blog about are frozen treats! So what exactly is sorbet? Sorbet (pronounced "sor-bay") is a frozen dessert made from sweetened water flavored with fruit juice or puree, chocolate, wine, and/or liqueur. Although most sorbets are eaten as a dessert, they can also be served between courses as a palate refresher.

Sorbet comes from the French word meaning "sherbet." However, sorbets differ from traditional American sherbets because they do not contain any dairy products. Sorbets are almost identical to the Italian treat called granita, which is also made from fruit puree and water.

Recipe for You - Olallieberry Peach Crisp

Olallieberry Peach Crisp

Ingredients:
1-1/2 pounds peaches (about 3), pitted and cut into 1/2-inch thick wedges
2 cups olallieberries, picked over and rinsed
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
3/4 stick (6 tablespoons) cold unsalted butter, cut into bits
3/4 cup coarsely chopped lightly toasted pecans

Directions:
1. In a large bowl toss the peaches and the olallieberries gently with the cornstarch, the lemon juice, and the granulated sugar until the mixture is combined well.
2. In a small bowl stir together the flour, the brown sugar, the oats, the salt, the cinnamon, and the nutmeg, add the butter, blending the mixture until it resembles coarse meal, and stir in the pecans.
3. Spread the peach mixture in a 13- by 9-inch (3 quart) baking dish, sprinkle the pecan mixture evenly over it, and bake the crisp in the middle of a preheated 350°F oven for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the top is golden. Serve the crisp with the ice cream.

Recipe for You

The sweetness of the brittle is enhanced by the Fleur de Sel to make a delicious treat!

Macadamia Nut Brittle with Fleur de Sel

Ingredients:
1 cup unsalted macadamia nuts, toasted, chopped, cooled
1 tablespoon chilled butter, diced
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon fleur de sel or other coarse sea salt
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons light corn syrup

Directions:
1. Place a large sheet of foil on work surface and butter the foil.
2. Combine nuts and next 3 ingredients in medium bowl.
3. Stir sugar, 1/2 cup water, and corn syrup in medium saucepan over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Boil without stirring until syrup turns deep amber color, brushing down sides of pan with wet pastry brush and swirling pan occasionally, about 10 minutes.
4. Remove caramel from heat. Immediately stir in nut mixture (caramel will bubble up). Pour caramel onto prepared foil; spread thinly. Cool brittle until hard; chop.

Yield: 2 1/2 cups

Simple Sugar Cookies

Simple Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup softened butter
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 to 4 tablespoons buttermilk
Sprinkles or colored sugar, for decorating

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

1. In a small bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, and baking powder. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg and vanilla.
2. Gradually blend in dry ingredients. Add enough of the buttermilk to moisten the dough and make it soft, not wet.
3. Roll rounded teaspoons of dough into balls and place on a ungreased cookie sheet. With a brush or fingers, moisten the top of each cookie with the remaining buttermilk and slightly flatten the top of each cookie. Top with raw sugar or colored sprinkles.
4. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until slightly golden. Let stand for 2 minutes before removing to cool on a rack.

Yield: 4 dozen cookies

Strawberry and Mascarpone Filled Cupcakes

Strawberry and Mascarpone Filled Cupcakes

Ingredients:

1 box vanilla cake mix
1 (8-ounce) container mascarpone cheese, chilled
5-6 fresh strawberries
1/4 cup sugar, plus 1/2 cup
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups confectioners sugar

Directions:
1. Make the cupcakes according to package instructions. Lightly grease the muffin tin and fill the batter almost to the rim of each muffin cup. Bake according to package directions and let cool.
2. In a food processor combine the mascarpone cheese, strawberries, 1/4 cup sugar, and lemon juice. Process the mixture until smooth. Transfer the strawberry mixture to a pastry bag fitted with a small tip. Push the tip gently into the bottom of a cupcake and squeeze in the strawberry mixture until the cupcake plumps. Continue with the remaining cupcakes.
3. In a small saucepan bring the 1/2 cup sugar, water, and vanilla extract to a simmer over medium heat. Simmer until the sugar is dissolved. In a medium bowl combine the vanilla syrup with the confectioner's sugar. Stir until smooth. Working quickly, use a rubber spatula spread the icing on the top of the cupcakes. If the icing begins to firm up, place in the microwave for a few seconds to warm up again.

Desserts- Creme Brulee

Creme Brulee- it's time to find out what this extravagant-sounding dessert really is!

The literal translation of creme brulee is "burnt cream". It is a cold custard with a crunchy, delicious layer of caramelized sugar on top. With origins from England, this dessert is an infallible way to impress guests, friends, and family alike, not to mention satisfying your own sweet tooth. There are four main ingredients found in creme brulee recipes: heavy cream, granulated sugar, vanilla bean (or in some recipes vanilla extract), and egg yolks. You will need ramekins to serve this decadent dessert in, and although it is not necessary, fresh fruit and mint are a great finish for a delicious creme brulee.

Give it a try, then enjoy!

Bread and Butter Pudding....

So for a while now, I have been obsessed with bread puddings and bread and butter puddings. They really do make great desserts and my creativity with developing new recipes has been unbelievable...so since I'm on a roll....what is bread and butter pudding? Bread and butter pudding is typically made by buttering the bread slices before saturating them in the milk, sugar, and egg mixture. Just like traditional bread puddings, bread and butter puddings may be served hot or cold with a cream or dessert sauce.

Bread Pudding...

What is it??? Traditionally bread pudding was made with day old bread but now at Lucia and Company we make it with fresh bread using different varieties depending on the desired finished product. Bread pudding is a very simple and delicious baked dessert made with bread that has been saturated with a mixture of eggs, milk, sugar, and spices. Fruits, nuts, and raisins can also be added.