raspberry

You are currently browsing articles tagged raspberry.

Raspberry Sorbet (with Lime + Cointreau)

October 22, 2011 in Ice Cream + Sorbets | 4 comments

I hate Summer. I hate, hate, hate it. What’s there to like about the heat, sweatiness and general discomfort? Ever since I was young I’ve had an irrational fear of sand (true story) so I find the beach unbearable too. That’s so un-Australian, right m8?! I should probably trade passports with an English backpacker as I’m constantly avoiding Australia’s (apparent) greatest features in the search for air conditioning and fashionable Winter accessories. I am the original Summer Scrooge.

After waking up frustrated from the tropical temperature in my room this morning I knew I had to prepare something refreshing lest I immediately purchase a one way ticket to Europe; my only option was to turn to the freezer for inspiration. Frozen raspberries in hand I picked a fresh lime from the tree in the backyard and convinced myself I was going to make the most delicious, refreshing thing I had ever tasted. Or I would cry.

With only five ingredients and three steps is one of the easiest recipes I’ve posted here; it involves preparing a simple syrup and combining it with some crushed frozen raspberries. Try adding a variation of frozen berries or even upping the amount of booze on this if you’re in the mood to get your buzz on!

 

Raspberry Sorbet (with Lime and Cointreau)

(an original recipe)

1/3 cup sugar

1/3 cup water

1 lime

3 1/2 cups frozen raspberries

2 tbs Cointreau

 

1. Combine sugar, water and juice from half a lime into a saucepan over medium heat. Allow sugar to dissolve, then boil gently for 5 minutes to form a sugar syrup. Once prepared decant into a heatproof bowl and place in the fridge/freezer to cool completely.

2. Meanwhile, place raspberries into a food processor and churn until crushed. Place into a bowl and add the juice of the remaining half a lime and the Cointreau.

3. Once the sugar syrup has cooled completely pour into your raspberry mixture and stir to combine. Prepare in ice cream maker as per manufacturer’s instructions.

Okay, okay, maybe there is one redeeming quality about Summer; eating lots and lots of raspberry sorbet.

Tags:

Home Made Salted Framboise Caramels

September 13, 2011 in Candy | 8 comments

Fancy beers and candy making. This new, almost-obsession of mine would not be possible without the influence of my boyfriend, the boutique beer connoisseur slash home-brewer, who has taught me there is life outside of gaging over Coronas.

This little experiment is testament to the cliché “if at first you don’t succeed; try, try, try again”. My first attempt tasted spectacular but didn’t set. My second attempt set however lacked that caramely-smack-in-the-mouth (is that even a thing? It is now). My third attempt, thank goodness, was wonderful!

The beer I’m using is a framboise; a lambic beer brewed with raspberries. Timmermans is a more syrupy beer than most which makes for a fantastic ingredient in this recipe (if you’re eager to enjoy one in its pure form however I would recommend a Lindemans Framboise for its tangy edge. Mmm).

Combined with caramels, you’ll get sweet, salty, tangy and berry all in one mouthful. Heavenly. And the best advice I can give before you begin this delicious journey into sticky bliss; follow the recipe to a tee! The figures are there for a reason. I’ve based my recipe from this spiced apple recipe as it allows room for variation. Bust out your candy thermometers, things are about to get messy.

 

HOME MADE SALTED FRAMBOISE CARAMELS

2 cups (or 1 bottle) Framboise beer

2/3 cups cream

1 tsp salt + more for garnish

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/4 cups corn syrup / glucose

80 g butter, cubed

powdered red food colouring

1. Pour framboise into small pan and simmer over medium heat until reduced to 1/3 cup. Place in fridge (or freezer) to cool.

2. Line a square tin with baking paper. Once your reduced framboise has cooled, combine with cream, salt and food colouring.

3. Combine sugar and corn syrup over low heat until dissolved. Increase heat until syrup has caramelised – 112°C on your candy thermometer. Do not stir during this process or the syrup will crystallise.

4. Remove from heat and slowly pour in your cream mixture, stirring quickly as you do so. Be careful has the concoction will splutter everywhere. Continue to stir to break up the caramel ball formed whilst adding the cubed butter. Don’t worry if you’re unable to dissolve everything.

5. Return to low heat and stir frequently until the temperature reaches 120°C on your candy thermometer.

6. Pour caramel into prepared tin and allow to cool slightly. Sprinkle with rock salt and allow to cool completely – either overnight on your kitchen bench or in the fridge to speed up the process. Cut into small squared and wrap with baking paper, twisting at the ends like traditional candies. Sprinkle with more rock salt if desired.


Being married into beer culture can be pretty neat sometimes.

 

Tags: , , , , ,