Friday, August 24, 2012

Frozen Peachy and Mango Treats









I don't go out of my way to buy mangoes. I'm never sure about their ripeness and always cut into them too soon. If you've ever bitten into an unripe mango, you know that sensation of puckering your mouth around a chemical taste. Native to India, mangoes are common there, and when they're dead ripe, they're sweet, perfumy and luscious. Fortunately for me, the ones I used in this peach-mango sorbet had all those characteristics. They were in fact were given to me recently by friends visiting from India, who know a thing or two about choosing mangoes. And luckily, I had an abundance of deliciously ripe Jersey peaches that were also sweet, perfumy and luscious -- just perfect for blending with the mangoes in a sorbet. You need an ice cream freezer to make this, something I picked up at a garage sale. And if you've still got some wayward pansies blooming from your spring plants, chop them up and scatter them as decorations -- or use edible summer blooms like nasturtiums, if available. Otherwise, no one will mind if you serve it plain. It's a refreshing treat on a hot summer day and has so few calories you can indulge in a few spoonfuls with no guilt.




 If, on the other hand, you've been swimming your daily laps and want to indulge in an even more luscious treat, this fresh peach ice cream is about as good as it gets. The recipe uses a little peach brandy -- don't omit it. It not only adds a little more peachy flavor but the alcohol also helps the ice cream retain a creamy texture, rather than transforming itself into a rock hard mass. The limoncello in the sorbet recipe provides the same purpose. Make sure you cut the peaches into small bits, because no one likes biting into large pieces of frozen peaches.




 Now if you want to be really decadent, follow my recipe for stuffed peaches and serve them warm on top of the peach ice cream, with a little of the marsala wine sauce drizzled on top. You'll want to retreat into a corner and eat this in silent ecstasy. Then you'll realize it's worth every calorie -- even if you have to swim five extra laps in the morning.





Peach-Mango Sorbet

Printable Recipe Here

2 mangos

about 6 peaches

2 T. sugar

2 T. limoncello



Peel mango and peaches and cut into small pieces, then place into a blender or food processor with the sugar and limoncello. Process until puréed, then place into an ice cream freezer and process according to manufacturer's directions. optional: serve with minced pansies or other edible flowers.





Peach Ice Cream

Printable Recipe Here

Recipe courtesy of Curtis Aikens, from Foodnetwork.com



2 cups chopped fresh peaches, peeled

1 1/4 cups sugar

1 T. lemon juice

2 T. peach brandy

2 cups heavy cream

1 cup milk

1/2 t. vanilla extract

4 egg yolks




Directions




In a bowl combine peaches, 1/2 cup sugar, lemon juice and peach brandy. Cover and refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours or overnight, stirring occasionally. Remove peach mixture from refrigerator and drain juice into a cup. Return peaches to refrigerator.


In a saucepan combine 3/4 cup sugar, heavy cream, milk and vanilla. Bring just to a boil.


In bowl whisk egg yolks. While whisking stream in about 1/3 of the boiled cream mixture. While whisking cream and sugar mixture, stream in egg and cream mixture. Return to the heat and continue to heat while stirring. Mixture will thicken as it returns to a boil. Remove from heat and strain into a bowl set over ice. Add the reserved peach juice.


Transfer the mixture to an ice cream maker and freeze according to manufacturer's instructions. After the ice cream begins to stiffen, when very close to done, add the peaches and continue to freeze until done.  



Bookmark and Share

15 comments:

  1. I'll have a bowl of each, please! Divine.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

    ReplyDelete
  2. un dessert molto goloso Linda, deve essere delizioso! Buon weekend...

    ReplyDelete
  3. j'y plongerai volontiers ma cuillère, j'adore
    bonne journée

    ReplyDelete
  4. The sorbet looks particularly wonderful to me. I really like the idea of a bit limoncello!

    ReplyDelete
  5. So refreshing and perfect in hot weather! I love mangoes and peaches.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Both sorbet and ice cream look so luscious!

    When I move to my new house one of the first appliances I'm going to buy is an ice cream maker, as I'll finally have a larger freezer that will accommodate the bowl!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh my, sublime summertime indulgence, I'd say. Every recipe sounded wonderful. And I know that Bart, who has been doing all the cooking lately, will be sorely tempted to try the peach ice cream. It is his favorite!

    ReplyDelete
  8. That peach icecream is calling my name, "Marie, Marie, Come get me!"

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love mango, it's going to be my passion for the next couple of months. In Ireland is really difficult to find really good ones but I try :D

    ReplyDelete
  10. Ciao Linda! I've noticed your picture and what I believe is an Italian landscape on Roz's blog. I like jucy, sweet peaches too, this would be a perfect recipe if I could use the Italian peaches!!! I miss Italian products!! Ciao

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh my goodness, Linda, three awesome recipes to choose from! I think I'll try the peach ice cream first with the peach brandy . . . Wow! and then move on to the stuffed peaches and then the mango peach sorbet! I'll have to swim a marathon afterwards!

    ReplyDelete
  12. These all look absolutely scrumptious. I used to make peach ice cream in my Colorado days, as that state also produces excellent peaches. Now I have that hankering again!

    ReplyDelete
  13. They all sound divine! The peach-mango sorbet sounds so fragrant and refreshing. I think that there needs to be a perfume that's purely the scent of peaches.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Yes, I really want to be decadent. It is called for right now but I can still be virtuous noting I am having my fruit.

    ReplyDelete