Weekend Recipe: Raspberry Sorbet

Raspberries will be in season any second now. This is a great way of preserving them an extra week or so -- yes, since freezing is a method of preserving, you can call your dessert sustainable and earth friendly! This recipe from Cook's Illustrated does require an ice cream maker, which is one the few single-purpose kitchen tools we enthusiastically recommend.

Raspberry Sorbet
Makes 1 quart

Super-chilling part of the sorbet base before transferring it to the ice cream machine will keep ice crystals to a minimum. If using a canister-style ice cream machine, be sure to freeze the empty canister for at least 24 hours and preferably 48 hours before churning. For self-refrigerating machines, prechill the canister by running the machine for five to 10 minutes before pouring in the sorbet mixture. Allow the sorbet to sit at room temperature for five minutes to soften before serving. Fresh or frozen berries may be used. If using frozen berries, thaw them before proceeding. Make certain that you use Sure-Jell engineered for low- or no-sugar recipes (packaged in a pink box) and not regular Sure-Jell (in a yellow box).

INGREDIENTS

1 cup water
1 teaspoon Sure-Jell for Less or No Sugar Needed Recipes
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 pounds (4 cups) raspberries
1/2 cup (3 1/2 ounces) plus 2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 cup light corn syrup

• Make certain that you use Sure-Jell engineered for low- or no-sugar recipes (packaged in a pink box) and not regular Sure-Jell (in a yellow box).
• Fresh or frozen berries may be used in this recipe. If using frozen berries, thaw them before proceeding with the recipe.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Combine 1 cup water, 1 teaspoon Sure-Jell, and 1/8 teaspoon salt in medium saucepan.

2. Heat over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until Sure-Jell is fully dissolved, about 5 minutes.

3. Remove saucepan from heat and allow mixture to cool slightly, about 10 minutes.

4. Process 1¼ pounds raspberries, ½ cup sugar, ¼ cup light corn syrup, and Sure-Jell mixture in blender until smooth, about 30 seconds.

5. Strain mixture through fine-mesh strainer, pressing on solids to extract as much liquid as possible.

6. Transfer 1 cup mixture to small bowl and place remaining mixture in large bowl. Cover both bowls with plastic wrap.

7. Place large bowl in refrigerator and small bowl in freezer and cool completely, at least 4 hours or up to 24 hours. (Small bowl of base will freeze solid.)

8. Remove mixtures from refrigerator and freezer. Scrape frozen base from small bowl into large bowl of base. Stir occasionally until frozen base has fully dissolved.

9. Transfer mixture to ice cream machine and churn until mixture has consistency of thick milkshake and color lightens, 15 to 25 minutes.

10. Transfer sorbet to airtight container, pressing firmly to remove any air pockets, and freeze until firm, at least 2 hours. Serve.