cool and sweet
Recipe: piña colada sorbet
It was not my intention to make readers cry in my last post, but admittedly, I was crying when I wrote it. Of course, we’re all silly people for crying because Kaweah thinks everything is just grand. She kicks in her sleep and makes little howling barks and growls as she chases the squirrels and bunnies through Dreamland. I wake her each morning with a gentle belly rub and watch her eyes open and her nose suddenly activate. When she realizes it’s me, she rolls belly up, kicks her feet in the air with joy, and goes bonkers thrashing about. Kaweah enjoys a frozen pupsicle (bananas and peanut butter) every afternoon and a nice but short evening stroll in the neighborhood where she checks the doggy pee-mail center at the giant boulder. She’s happy and that is what ultimately matters. We should all be so content in our twilight years. Thank you for your love and kind words for our pup.
in the middle of the road, yeah
And that time of year has arrived – porcini season. Since this is only my second year foraging, I am having a blast comparing data with last year’s season: locations, size, weather, timing, dates, temperatures, moisture, elevations, trails, other species. It’s like an Easter egg hunt, but better! If you want to find the porcini, you have to become the porcini… [Please note: porcini have several look alike species that can make you very ill, do not forage porcini unless you are with an expert.]
buddies
what a beauty
We endured a bit of a scorcher the last few days, so I was especially thrilled to see heavy rain in the forecast and a drop of nearly 15°F in the daytime high temperature. I think the mushrooms will like it too (remember: be the mushroom). Hot weather is problematic for me right now for a few reasons: 1) I’m in the middle of a chocolate shoot for a client 2) I have to monitor Kaweah to make sure she doesn’t overheat (I put her downstairs on the basement floor to cool down if it gets really bad) and 3) it makes me really really cranky. While purchasing props the other day, I heard “Escape” playing in the craft store. You probably don’t know what that refers to. I didn’t. But you’ll know the song from the line, “If you like piña coladas…” I thought to myself, “I do, I DO like piña coladas!” And I became obsessed with having one.
coconut milk, pineapple, sugar, rum (optional, but good)
Personally, I prefer my piña coladas to be slushy, but I decided to take it a step further and make it into sorbet. It’s so easy to do it’s ridiculous and wonderful all at the same time. You could use canned pineapple, but it’s hard to beat a fresh pineapple that is ripe, naturally sweet, and far more flavorful. Oh, and when you open a can of coconut milk, be sure to stir it up as the fat solids separate and rise from the liquid.
chop the pineapple into chunks
measured out
The great thing about this sorbet recipe is the minimal processing on the fruit. There is no straining out of seeds or pressing everything through a food mill. Just put all of the ingredients in a blender and go. And you can leave the rum out if you prefer, but I, the non-boozer, really like it in there (or perhaps that was the rum talking?).
pouring coconut milk
it all goes in the blender
a little rum
Once the piña colada is blended, pour it into your ice cream machine and process it according to the manufacturer’s instructions and wait for it to get the right consistency. See how simple it is? The final step is to put it in the freezer as it will be rather soft. When the sorbet is of a scoopable consistency, have some and forget about the heat. It’s like sipping on a piña colada, but better!
pour the piña colada into the ice cream maker
soft and ready for the freezer
a scoop of frozen cocktail
Piña Colada Sorbet
[print recipe]
from Skinny Taste
3 cups (18 oz.) fresh pineapple, peeled, cored, and chopped into chunks
3/4 cup coconut milk (mix it up well before measuring)
1/2 cup sugar
1 tbsp dark rum (optional)
Place the pineapple, coconut milk, sugar, and if using, the dark rum, into a blender. Blend everything together until uniform. Pour the piña colada into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s directions. Empty the sorbet into a container and freeze. Makes 1 quart.
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matcha tea slushie with boba |
July 25th, 2013 at 6:34 am
This sorbet sounds perfect! Pina Colada’s are my favorite cocktail!
July 25th, 2013 at 7:07 am
What can we say…we love you & we love Kaweah. I am so happy to see that there is only a tablespoon of rum in this, because I want to make it AND let my son have some (pineapple fiend).
July 25th, 2013 at 7:32 am
YUM. I love pina coladas. Might make this Saturday…
July 25th, 2013 at 10:13 am
This sounds fantastic, and I can’t wait to try it! For those who are super non boozers – not myself, but some friends (even a tablespoon is a no-no), would rum extract be an acceptable substitute?
and Kaweah is literally the most lovable pup in the world – she stole my heart the first time I saw a picture of her :)
July 25th, 2013 at 10:15 am
I do like pina coladas (the Mister really likes pina coladas) – I’m so making this! Thank you!
July 25th, 2013 at 1:30 pm
We are hosting a Wine & Dine group in October, and I want to give the ladies choices of this pina colada sorbet or regular wine. I bet that many of them will take this. Even some guys probably want to have a taste. I just love the taste of it.
July 25th, 2013 at 7:43 pm
Wow!! This is on my to-do list for our family party next weekend. Thank you!
July 26th, 2013 at 7:08 am
This sorbet sounds great. Can’t wait to try it. It would be great for a dinner party.
July 26th, 2013 at 8:17 am
Hubby just came home with a big bottle of rum yesterday!
July 26th, 2013 at 8:37 am
YUM!!!!!!!!
July 26th, 2013 at 9:39 am
i am all over this idea! it’s been hot, hot and hot here and this looks like my kind of way to cool down!
July 26th, 2013 at 12:03 pm
It’s bloody HOT here in NOVA! and this looks divine… oh yeah, its time to plug in the ice cream maker this weekend.. thank you for another great post and for the tough girl pic of Kaweah standing (ahem) “I’m in da middle of the road yo” Please don’t worry about us and your last post, when the time comes, we may all need an intervention. or worse, you may find us all wailing in your yard.. seriously, it’s all part of the journey…. xoxo
July 26th, 2013 at 12:47 pm
Sorbet chillin’ in the freezer – sending you advanced thanks from the family!
When we could acknowledge where our sweet dog’s age and health had taken him, our vet said something that gave me comfort: Jasper needed us to make the hard decision for him because he’d never want to disappoint us by not trying every day, even though he was so tired and in pain. I truly do believe you’ll know when.
To the extent that the Internet allows us into each other’s lives, sending you and your family a hug.
July 26th, 2013 at 9:10 pm
Refreshing sorbet with a real burst of flavors…what is not to love in this favorite frozen treat :-)
July 28th, 2013 at 5:02 am
Haven’t tried the pina colada recipe yet, but the banana and peanut butter popsicle idea has certainly enriched my 8-year old Labrador cross’s life. She’s taking to nonchalantly hanging around the door of the freezer. Thank you!
July 29th, 2013 at 8:46 pm
I have popped in on your wonderful blog for years, but have never posted a comment.
I feel compelled to break that dry spell now to tell you how much I have enjoyed Kaweah. From her adorable pics, to all the great anecdotes about her, I feel like she is a dog I truly know – and love!
And as someone traveling the path with her own first dog – who is fourteen now – I feel even more connected.
Best wishes, and thank you for sharing her with all of us. She’s the sweetest pup!
July 30th, 2013 at 1:11 pm
Yum! I was just looking for a good reason to use my Vitamix with all the heat here in the Northeast! Thanks Jen!
August 6th, 2013 at 4:18 pm
Virginia – I don’t know about using rum extract as I’ve never used it before. You can make it without the rum and it tastes fine. Maybe give it a try?
angelitacarmelita – :)
Carol – thank you, that is very kind xo
Helen Guy – ha!! That is seriously cute!
d – best of luck to you and your sweet pup!
Chef V – the vitamix is awesome, no? :)
September 2nd, 2013 at 12:11 am
Lusting after your Vitamix ;-)