Friday, March 20, 2009

Key Lime Sherbet - A Minimalists Dessert


If you share my love for citrus desserts I suspect you're ready for this tart, key lime sherbet. It's Zen-like in its simplicity and can be made without an ice cream or sherbet maker. The sherbet is easy to make, but do plan time for multiple freezings and sear the word cold into your brain. Bowls and beaters must be icy cold as you work and you'll find it's best to work as quickly as you can. The number of key limes you'll use will vary; I needed 20 key limes to make 2/3 cup of juice. If key limes aren't available, large Persian limes - about 3 of them - may be substituted. This is a wonderful way for the health conscious to end a meal. I like to frost the glasses in which I serve the sherbet. It's not necessary but it looks really nice and it makes for a great grand finale.

Key Lime Sherbet


Ingredients:

3 cups water
1-1/4 cups sugar, divided use
3/4 cup light corn syrup
2/3 cup key lime juice, strained
2 to 3 drops green food coloring (optional)
2 egg whites
Salt

Directions:
1) Place water, 1 cup sugar and corn syrup in a 2-quart saucepan. Bring to a boil, over high heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat; continue to boil for 5 minutes. Set aside; cool to room temperature.
2) Stir in lime juice and food coloring, if using. Pour into a shallow metal pan. Place pan in the freezer and freeze until solid throughout. Place bowl and beaters of an electric mixer in the freezer as well.
3) Remove pan from freezer. Quickly break up lime mixture with a wooden spoon; turn into frozen mixer bowl. Beat with frozen beaters at low speed, just until mixture is lump free. Remove bowl containing lime mixture from stand and transfer immediately to the freezer. Return beaters to freezer as well. Refreeze.
4) When the mixture is refrozen, place egg whites in a small mixing bowl. Add a pinch of salt; beat until slightly thickened. Add reserved 1/4 cup sugar and beat until egg whites hold their shape. Set aside.
5) Remove lime mixture from freezer, Break up with a wooden spoon. Beat with chilled beaters until just smooth. With mixer set to low speed, beat in egg whites only until just incorporated. Immediately return bowl to freezer. Refreeze, folding gently from bottom to top, two or three times during freezing process. Serve firm. Yield: 6 cups.

23 comments :

NKP said...

Mmm, I love lime sherbet - I have never had key limes before though - I am not sure they get all the way up here.
Good to know about keeping everything chilled - I'll remember that next time I am making frozen treats.

Tom said...

I didn't know you could make sherbet. I thought it was one of those things that only a store could produce. I like the minimalist concept. I think it actually makes it more enjoyable the more simple things get.

Donna-FFW said...

Mary! This is my husbands absolute favorite flavor. And I Can make this w/out an ice cream machine. He will LOVE you for this. Thank you!

Martha said...

Lime sherbet is a flavor of childhood -- when you could get 3 dips for a dime! Love it!

Allie said...

I love lim sherbert and I bet it's even better using the key limes!

Hootin Anni said...

It is a passion of mine too....citrus. And I love the dry/tangy of limes.

You make the dessert look so delightfully pretty too...with your photo of the finished product.

Patsyk said...

I love sherbert and you are right, it's a perfect way to end a meal... even if you aren't watching you calories.

Maria said...

This is my hubby's favorite. I will have to make it for him!

Kiezie said...

This looks so refreshing!! I just made a lemon sorbet the other day and I have a huge bag of limes...... YAY!!

Pam said...

I love the color. Light and refreshing - the perfect dessert.

The Blonde Duck said...

It's like the Calvin Klein of food!

Mary Bergfeld said...

BD, you really make me laugh.

Anonymous said...

It's so beautiful and refreshing looking!

Allie said...

Wow, that looks wonderful!

Mary Bergfeld said...

Thank you all for your compliments! You won't be sorry if you try this.

Anonymous said...

Minimalist to the the maximum :)

Mary Bergfeld said...

Zita......exactly!

joey said...

Citrus, yea ... a perfect dessert. Thanks for sharing! (With your approval, I've added you as a link in my 'food haunts') A gardener/photographer/cook for eons, I crave 'One Perfect Bite'!

Mary Bergfeld said...

Joey, I'm thrilled to be added to your blogroll.

Karen said...

This is the perfect dessert after a fine meal :)

Lyndas recipe box said...

I love sherbert- this looks so elegant and inviting! I'll have to try this one!

Mary Bergfeld said...

Lynda, I'm so glad you stopped bt. I hope you'll drop in often.

American Homemaker said...

that looks really yummy :) I love lime.

Related Posts with Thumbnails

Printfriendly