A trip to the farm can be a fun and educational outing, as well as an opportunity to get some of the best local produce. We picked the olallieberries at Gizdich ranch. They have berry picking during the season as well as a picnic area and homemade pies.
INGREDIENTS FOR OLALLIEBERRY SORBET RECIPE
We started with the best ingredients, and that made a big difference. The berries we picked ourselves. The only other ingredients are sugar, corn syrup, salt and alcohol. Brands vary in quality, so we have listed what we used. The sugar and corn syrup are Wholesome brand because their products are sustainable. The sugar is made into a simple syrup using water and sugar in a one to one ratio. We usually have simple syrup made up ahead of time.
Some of the ingredients also affect the texture. They keep the ice crystals small so the ice cream stays creamy. In this recipe, the alcohol and corn syrup are the keys to keeping the ice crystals small.
Corn syrup lowers the freezing point of water, making the ice crystals smaller and the ice cream smoother. We use Wholesome corn syrup because it is NOT a high-fructose corn syrup.
Alcohol lowers the freezing point, making the ice crystals small. It also keeps ice crystals from forming as the ice cream hardens. Too much, however, and the ice cream won’t freeze. We use a Tablespoon of an 80 proof alcohol – In this recipe it was vodka.
Whynter ice cream maker
THE WHYNTER ICE CREAM MAKER
We use a Whynter ice cream maker that does an excellent job of freezing quickly, which is key to getting a smooth sorbet.
TIPS: It also helps if everything is cold. Make the mixture the day before and thoroughly chilling it, which also improves the flavor. Let the ice cream maker run for five minutes before putting the mixture in. Freeze a glass container to store the ice cream. And work quickly when the sorbet has finished churning.
For certain products, the choice of brand will make a big difference in the outcome of the recipe and in your carbon footprint. So, for those products, we have listed the brand. We are not paid to mention a brand and have no affiliates.
Gather all the ingredients together and prepare as instructed.
MEASURE AND MIX THE INGREDIENTS
Using a scale, measure the sugar and water into a small saucepan. Bring the sugar and water to a simmer, stirring to dissolve the sugar, then allow to cool.
Using a scale, measure the strained berry liquid, vodka, salt, and corn syrup into a mixing bowl. Add enough of the sugar liquid to sweeten it to your liking. It will taste less sweet once it is frozen, so use more than you think you need. Refrigerate overnight.
FREEZE THE MIXTURE
Start the ice cream maker 5 minutes before using it to cool it down.
Pour into the ice cream maker and make sorbet according to the directions.
When the ice cream maker has finished, quickly transfer the sorbet into the glass container that has been in the freezer, cover, and put the container back in the freezer overnight.
Store in the freezer for up to a week.
Notes
This recipe is best with fresh, ripe, seasonal fruit, so a trip to the farmer’s market should be the first step.
Check out the chart on the blog post to see how food choices affect climate change. This recipe uses responsible brands and items that are lower on the chart and the production creates less greenhouse gas.