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Melon Sorbet

I’ve learned a lot about making sorbets from Jacquy Pfeiffer, the founder and dean of student affairs at the French Pastry School in Chicago. He taught me to use a small amount of corn syrup – about 5 percent of the weight of the fruit – to prevent the sorbet from developing ice crystals. A very small amount of honey will also work. I asked him what the least sugar I could get away with is, and he said it depends on the fruit, but as a general rule he uses 15 to 20 percent sugar. I decided to factor the corn syrup and honey into that weight, and my sorbets were beautiful, with great texture. You can use yellow or green melon for this as long as it’s really ripe and sweet.

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup water
  • 65 grams (about 1/4 cup plus 1 teaspoon) sugar
  • 33 grams (about 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons) corn syrup
  • 680 grams (1 1/2 pounds) peeled diced ripe cantaloupe, honeydew or similar yellow or green-fleshed melons (about 1 medium melon)
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice (optional)
  • Pinch of salt (optional)
  • Nutritional Information
    • Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

      144 calories; 0 grams fat; 0 grams saturated fat; 0 grams monounsaturated fat; 0 grams polyunsaturated fat; 36 grams carbohydrates; 1 gram dietary fiber; 35 grams sugars; 1 gram protein; 33 milligrams sodium

      • Note: Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available data.

4 to 6 servings

Preparation

  1. Combine the water and sugar in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from the heat and allow to cool.
  2. In a blender, purée the melon with the sugar solution and remaining ingredients until smooth. Chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours or overnight.
  3. Chill a container in the freezer. Blend the mixture for 30 seconds with an immersion blender, then freeze in an ice cream maker following the manufacturer’s instructions. Transfer to the chilled container and place in the freezer for 2 hours to pack. Allow to soften in the refrigerator for 15 to 30 minutes before serving.
  • Advance preparation: This will keep for a couple of weeks in the freezer, but it’s best when freshly made.

Dining and Cooking