Lemon-Scented Ice Milk with Berries and Wine Sauce

This is an absolutely beautiful dessert. It's inexpensive and relatively simple to make, though it must be prepared well in advance of serving. The only special equipment you'll need is a stand mixer. The operative word for this recipe is cold. The milk, chilled icy-cold, will whip like cream and produce a delightful lemon-scented iced milk. If you are watching calories, pureed cottage cheese can be used in place of heavy cream and Splenda can replace the sugar in the wine sauce. A quick aside about sugar substitutes - don't use them in meringue; the end product will lack volume and be sticky. Use pasteurized or reconstituted egg whites if there are very young or very old diners at your table. This is an All-American dessert; you'll love the ice milk and the wine sauce is really delicious.

Lemon-Scented Ice Milk with Berries and Wine Sauce

Ingredients:
3 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy cream or pureed cottage cheese
1-2/3 cup + 3 tablespoons granulated sugar, divided use
Zest of 1 large lemon cut into thin strips
1 cinnamon stick
4 large egg whites
1 cup water
2 cups frozen unsweetened mixed berries
1/2 cup port wine or grape juice
1/2 cup fresh raspberries
1/2 cup fresh blackberries
1/2 cup fresh blueberries
Mint sprigs for garnish

Directions:
1) Combine milk, cream, 2/3 cup sugar, lemon zest and cinnamon in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring to dissolve sugar. Pour into a nonreactive container and refrigerate for 8 to 10 hours. Remove lemon strips and cinnamon stick; transfer to freezer for 1 to 2 hours, or until mixture is icy cold and edges begin to freeze.
2) Place egg whites in bowl of a stand mixer. Beat on high speed until frothy; add 3 tablespoons sugar and continue beating until stiff peaks form. Refrigerate.
3) Place milk mixture in bowl of a stand mixer fitted with balloon whisk; beat until stiff peaks form, about 5 to 10 minutes. Fold in meringue. Scrape into a chilled pan and freeze for 2 hours.
4) Meanwhile, bring water and remaining 1 cup sugar to a boil. Add frozen berries and wine or juice; return to a boil. Reduce heat, simmer, uncovered for 5 minutes. Mash and strain berries, reserving juice. Return juice to pan. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer until mixture is reduced to 3/4 cup. Chill.
5) About 1/2 to 1 hour before serving, move ice milk from freezer to refrigerator. When ready to serve, place a scoop of ice milk on a dessert plate. Surround with berries and top with wine sauce. Garnish with a mint sprig. Yield: 6 servings.