Lip-smackin' sorbets

Cool off with these fruity frozen treats that are easier to make than ice cream.

These icy concoctions burst with the flavors of your favorite citrus fruits, melons, and berries. Unlike its cousins ice cream and sherbet, sorbet is made without cream or eggs, so it's the perfect little pick-me-up for the dog days of summer. Sugar is the key to a good sorbet-too little and the crystals will be too big, too much and the sorbet will be slushy. Make sure you select the ripest, most fragrant fruits to add even more punch. Cover leftover sorbet in plastic wrap (directly on the surface), and store in a plastic container in the freezer for up to two weeks.

WATERMELON SORBET

MAKES ABOUT 1/2 GALLON

PREP: 15 MIN., COOK: 5 MIN.,

CHILL: 2 HRS., FREEZE: ABOUT 1 HR.

3 cups water

1 cup sugar

4 cups seeded, chopped watermelon

1/4 cup lime juice

BRING 3 cups water and sugar just to a boil in a medium saucepan over high heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat. Cool.

PROCESS sugar syrup and watermelon, in batches, in a blender until smooth. Stir in lime juice. Cover and chill 2 hours.

POUR mixture into the freezer container of a 1-gallon ice-cream maker, and freeze according to manufacturer's instructions.

GRAPEFRUIT SORBET: Substitute 3 cups fresh grapefruit juice and 1 teaspoon chopped fresh mint for watermelon and lime juice. Proceed as directed.

PINEAPPLE SORBET: Substitute 2 cups chopped pineapple for watermelon and lime juice. Strain and discard pulp after processing mixture in blender, if desired. Proceed as directed.

LEMON SORBET: Substitute 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice and 2 teaspoons grated lemon rind for watermelon and lime juice. Proceed as directed.

ORANGE SORBET: Substitute 3 cups fresh orange juice and 2 teaspoons grated orange rind for watermelon and lime juice. Proceed as directed.

STRAWBERRY SORBET: Substitute 5 cups fresh or frozen strawberries and 2 tablespoons lemon juice for watermelon and lime juice. Proceed as directed.

CANTALOUPE SORBET: Substitute 4 cups chopped cantaloupe for watermelon and lime juice. Proceed as directed.

CHERRY SORBET: Substitute 1 (6-ounce) can frozen lemonade concentrate, prepared, and 1 (16-ounce) jar maraschino cherries for watermelon and lime juice. Strain and discard pulp, if desired. Proceed as directed.

RASPBERRY SORBET: Substitute 5 cups fresh or frozen raspberries for watermelon and lime juice. Proceed as directed.

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation Jul 2003
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