Blood oranges were on special in my local market the other day and I got a great deal on some of the particularly colorful Moro variety. The vibrant juice makes a stunning vermillion-colored sorbet. In thinking about what to pair with the blood oranges I remembered the lavender that has been burning a hole in my cupboard for a while so I took the opportunity to use some of it up.
Lemon juice enhances the flavor of the blood oranges, atad of honey adds another dimension of flavor, and the lavender provides a distinctive floral accent. The sorbet base should be fairly sweet since once it’s frozen the sweetness will be less intense. I suggested a range of sugar to account for differences in the sweetness of the fruit. Taste it as you go and adjust the sugar accordingly. Adding vodka keeps the sorbet from becoming too icy and hard but it can be left out. Be sure to take the sorbet out of the freezer a few minutes before you plan to serve it so it will be easier to scoop.
Blood orange and lavender sorbet
makes about 4 1/2 cups (a bit more than 1 liter)
zest of two blood oranges
4 cups (1 liter) blood orange juice – from about 4 1/2 pounds (2kg) blood oranges
1 lemon
1 – 1 1/2 cups (200-300g) sugar
2 tablespoons honey
3 tablespoons dried lavender flowers
1 tablespoon vodka
1. Zest two of the blood oranges directly into a small, non-reactive saucepan.
2. Roll the blood oranges and lemon on the counter firmly with your palm to break down the juice sacs and make it easier to extract more juice.If you have a juicer or a juicer attachment for your food processor this is the time to use it. Continue juicing the oranges until you have 4 cups (1 liter) of juice. Add the lemon juice to the blood orange juice.
3. Put 1/2 cup (120ml) of juice in the pan with the blood orange zest. Add the sugar and honey. Heat, stirring well, over medium-high heat until the sugar dissolves and the mix has come to a simmer. Remove from the heat and add the lavender. Cover the pan and let steep for 30 minutes.
4. Strain the steeped mix back into the reserved juice. Discard the zest and lavender flowers. Taste the sorbet base to ensure it is sweet enough before continuing. If you need to add more sugar, take another 1/2 cup (120ml) of the sorbet base, add sugar accordingly, and reheat it in a saucepan until the sugar dissolves. Once you have the level of sweetness you prefer, add the vodka and continue with the recipe.
5. Let the mixture cool to room temperature and then refrigerate it for at least 8 hours, preferably overnight. Process in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s directions. Place the sorbet in a freezer-safe container and freeze at least 4 hours before serving.
related posts: black currant sorbet (svartvinbärsorbet)
FAQs
Blood orange essential oil blends well with vanilla, turmeric, nutmeg, myrrh, marjoram sweet, mandarin, lemon, lavender, juniper berry, coriander, clove bud, clary sage, and more.
What flavors pair well with blood orange? ›
Blood orange: Pairs well with almond, cardamom, chocolate, cinnamon, clove, fig, ginger, honey, and other citrus fruits. Currants (black and red): Pair well with chocolate and citrus.
What is orange sorbet made of? ›
You just need to make simple syrup, add in some orange juice and Grand Marnier, and freeze in any household ice cream freezer. This sorbet is sweet and refreshing.
What are the secrets of sorbet? ›
According to Serious Eats, the optimal sugar concentration for sorbet is 20-30%. Sugar dissolved in water lowers the freezing point of the mixture. The sweet spot of sorbet is all about adding enough sugar to prevent it from freezing solid, while not adding so much sugar that it won't solidify at all.
What can you not mix with lavender? ›
However, because lavender promotes relaxation, it may make the effects of central nervous (CNS) depressants stronger. These drugs include narcotics such as morphine or oxycodone (OxyContin) for pain, and sedative and anti-anxiety agents such as lorazepam (Ativan), diazepam (Valium), and alprazolam (Xanax).
What scent pairs well with blood orange? ›
Even better, blood orange pairs seamlessly with rose and geranium creating an elegant and uplifting scent. The blood orange scent is extracted through a cold press method whereby farmers press the rinds to release the essential oil. Some perfumers are using the pulp as well but most prefer the oil.
What colors compliment blood orange? ›
Directly across red orange in the color wheel, you'll find blue and green hues; combined, these make for an eye-catching palette. Combine red orange with pink hues, on the other hand, and you get a feminine feel. Red orange also pairs beautifully with purples and yellows and any other hue you'd expect to see in nature.
What is the best flavor of blood oranges? ›
Tarocco blood oranges are the sweetest of the blood orange varieties, and have long been cultivated in Sicily and other Mediterranean-like climates. There are at least three varieties of Tarocco oranges commercially available in California.
What cheese goes well with blood orange? ›
The goat cheddar pairs well with blood oranges because of the tangy and sweet taste.
What makes sorbet so creamy? ›
Without fat from dairy or eggs, it's the suspension of sugar within the fruit purée that allows the sorbet to churn into something with a creamy mouthfeel. You need 20-30% sugar in your sorbet, which will come from your fruit plus some added sugar.
Not only is sorbet a healthier alternative to ice cream, but it is also a dessert that can be enjoyed guilt-free. With no eggs or cream present in the recipe, sorbet contains fewer calories and less fat compared to traditional ice cream.
Is sherbet or sorbet better for you? ›
On the flipside nutritionally, sherbet and sherbert will have more nutrients (even if more saturated fat) than sorbet. "Sherbet generally has some addition of dairy, though less than ice cream, and therefore, it will have more protein and minerals like calcium than sorbet," she says.
What is the best sugar for sorbet? ›
Sucrose is fairly sweet and doesn't add much body to a syrup. That's why pastry chefs look to liquid sugar like invert sugar, glucose, or dextrose, which all make sorbet creamier when used properly. The easiest alternative sugar—the one you can find in any American supermarket—is plain 'ol non-high-fructose corn syrup.
Why put egg white in sorbet? ›
The optional egg white helps to stabilize, emulsify, and preserve the texture of the sorbet if you are going to keep it in your freezer for a few days.
What is the most expensive sorbet? ›
Cellato, a premium Japanese gelato company, has churned up a unique ice cream flavor that retails for $6,696 per serving. The pricey frozen treat has been named Byakuya, which means "white knight," in Japanese, and it's made from rare and costly ingredients that give the gelato a pale hue.
Does orange go with lavender scent? ›
Top aroma note options that go well with lavender include Orange, Tangerine, Lemongrass, Lime, Mandarin, Bergamot, Eucalyptus, and Peppermint. Ideas: Lavender & Bergamot will create a light, bright blend.
What color compliments lavender? ›
Its complementary colors depend on which lavender you are using. Every variation looks crisp and bright with white. The brighter, purple versions looks great with lime green and orange. The grayer lavenders look great with beige, magenta and yellows (gold and warm browns).
Does lavender taste good with orange? ›
But the floral nature of the lavender with the sweet citrus of orange is a classic flavor that I think I might have to repeat in some rum and gin-based co*cktails.
