First Sorbet of the Season: Fail

June 21, 2010

After a few days of rainy weather, the girls were getting peevish. They were tired of drawing, tired of board games and very tired of each other. On several occasions, I had to physically separate them. I think I even uttered the phrase, “I am NOT a referee,” which promptly made me cringe because it’s proof positive that I’m turning into my mother.

Thank God the sun finally came out. And when it did, it did so with a vengeance. It got so steamy that the girls kept coming inside to cool off, and mama didn’t want those girls inside.  So what does a desperate mother do? She bribes her children with sweets, of course.

I am expecting my Mother of the Year certificate in the mail any day now.

I’d seen this recipe for Pomegranate and Mint Sorbet a while ago on The Food Network, and was intrigued. I liked the fact that it used POM, which is loaded with antioxidants, and mint is a lovely little herb, and then if you add chocolate into the mix, how could you go wrong?

I shooed the girls outside with the promise of homemade sorbet within the hour. Starting in June, I keep the bowl of my ice cream maker in the freezer at all times; I like having it at the ready for bribes emergencies such as this.

I tossed the concoction in the machine, and 30 minutes later, I had an absolutely gorgeous-looking, ruby-red treat. Except there was just one leeeeetle problem.

It tasted funk. Really, really, bizarre. Tart, minty, citrusy and chocolatey all at once. Too much flavor disco going on in there.  Gotta say, I think Giada deLaurentis had been inhaling a little too much basil when she came up with this freakshow recipe.

I was kind of bitter about it, if you want to know the truth. Luckily, 15 minutes later, the Helluva Racket Ice Cream Man came tinkling down the street. Once again, he wins. At least it only cost me six bucks this time.

Pomegranate and Mint Sorbet
yields 1 quart
recipe courtesy of Giada DeLaurentis

1 cup Mint Simple Syrup, recipe follows
2 cups 100 percent pomegranate juice
1 cup orange juice
1/2 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips
Fresh mint, for garnish

In a glass pitcher, combine the Mint Simple Syrup, pomegranate juice, and orange juice. Pour the pomegranate mixture in an ice cream maker and freeze according to manufacturer’s directions. During the last 10 minutes of freezing time, add the mini chocolate chips.

Scoop the sorbet into dessert bowls and garnish with fresh mint.

Mint Simple Syrup:

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1 packed cup fresh mint leaves

In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, water and mint leaves over medium heat. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved. Remove the pan from the heat and allow the syrup to cool for 20 minutes. Strain before using.

{ 49 comments… read them below or add one }

Phoo-d June 21, 2010 at 5:18 am

Oh no! Sometimes I run into issues with pomegranate too. In the wrong recipe it can taste really medicinal.

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futureblackmail June 21, 2010 at 5:26 am

If you don’t mind sharing – what is your ice cream maker of choice? – besides the ice cream man, obviously. :)

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Wendi June 21, 2010 at 5:33 am

Sorry about the sorbet fail. But the beauty of sorbet is that you can always let it melt, fuss with it and then rechurn. Or, you can keep a couple of bucks in your pocket for when the ice cream man comes tearing down the street to your salvation (and salivation).

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Maureen@IslandRoar June 21, 2010 at 5:58 am

Oh, and it looks and sounds so good. I’m in awe of anyone who is smart enough to keep a bowl in the freezer all summer in anticiapation of making yummy cold treats. My freezer wouldn’t fit a damned bowl, it’s so crowded with crap. Like i ce cream from the store. I like your way much better.

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elizabeth June 21, 2010 at 6:12 am

First of all: love the new digs!

POM can be tricky–I tend to rely on the blends because they balance out the tartness that’s inherent in the juice–but to add chocolate chips in there? That does not seem like a flavor combination I’d like.

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Barbara June 21, 2010 at 6:27 am

Well, congrats on your move. Love your new layout! I get tired of blogspot too, but am too lazy to do anything about it. And I have a .com address, too. Boo on lazy me!

I think Giada gets a little carried away with mint. I don’t know if that was the main problem or not. It would be an issue with me, for sure. And she’d dump chocolate chips in her pasta dishes if she could get away with it. LOL.

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girlichef June 21, 2010 at 6:31 am

Ha!! That does sound pretty funky…I think chocolate and pomegranate are battling for the who is stronger…huh. Oh well, whatcha gonna do. Take the good with the bad…you know I know how to do that, LOL ;). We have at least, AT LEAST 4 different ice cream men that haunt us daily. ugh. Guess it’s good, though…1 quart only lasts so long in a house of 5.

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Gibby June 21, 2010 at 6:37 am

Ha, love it! Saved by the bell! (Or, saved by that horrible ice cream truck music…)

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WackyMummy June 21, 2010 at 7:13 am

Luckily I don’t like pom (and I think it doesn’t like me… ) so I’ll pass on this one. But I imagine it can be made with any kind of juice. Now just to get an ice cream maker…. ;)

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Chiara June 21, 2010 at 7:21 am

Hahaha, the first time I made sorbet it turned out crappy as well… and what really pissed me off is that I put a lot of energy into it!!! Luckily the following times it turned out much better…

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Erica@PinesLakeRedhead June 21, 2010 at 7:54 am

Sniff. I’m still mourning the loss of my ice cream maker.

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Tiffany June 21, 2010 at 8:49 am

It sounds good…but I’ll take your word for it!!!

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Stacia June 21, 2010 at 8:50 am

I just tried some pomegranate yogurt the other day and had the exact same thought: funk. Of course, there was no chocolate in my yogurt, which might have improved things, even though it didn’t help your bribe, um, I mean, sorbet.

PS: Love the new look!!

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Corinne June 21, 2010 at 9:17 am

It does sound like it would be good, but pomegranate is so hit or miss for me! Some things I loooooove, others… funk.
I’m still loving the new look! Seriously, the header alone is so summery it makes me smile.

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Lyndsey June 21, 2010 at 9:56 am

What a shame, all that wonderful POM going to waiste like that! Maybe it would okay with out the chocolate chips. It looks pretty!

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Cheryl June 21, 2010 at 10:58 am

I love that blog header! OMG! I want those berries. RIGHT NOW!

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Kristen @ Motherese June 21, 2010 at 12:17 pm

I love your new look! Fabulous. You and Sarah make a mighty team!

Sad news about the sorbet. Coincidentally, I had better luck this weekend with pomegranate sorbet. Mine was from the ice cream shoppe and was heavy on the cherry (and distinctly lacking in herbs). Quite tasty, actually!

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Bonnie June 21, 2010 at 12:28 pm

First regarding the Scotch Chocolate Cake. Just substitute a glass of scotch for the cup of water!!!!! = ) And don’t get behind the wheel after have a slice.

Secondly, I think Giada may have been “in her cups” when she tossed in the chocolate. Everything else sounds like it would work.

Thirdly, love the new look. I’m curious as to why you changed.

Best,
Bonnie

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Devon June 21, 2010 at 1:32 pm

Gotta say that these sounded yucky from the get go. That’s way too many divergent flavors in on ice cream maker.

Very nice new look!

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Rudri June 21, 2010 at 2:31 pm

The new look rocks. I love it.

Sorry about the sorbet. Not a big pomegranate fan myself, although my mom swears by it.

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Sherri June 21, 2010 at 3:58 pm

Maybe just the pomegranate and mint? We did lemonade with mint today. Now… I’m thinking we should freeze our concoction into a pop.

We are hot, sticky and steamy here too. Even being at the pool is too much. Hubby and my son played tennis the other day, and… I don’t know how they stood it. Humid.

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theUngourmet June 21, 2010 at 5:28 pm

LOVE your new place! It’s just gorgeous! That really stinks that the sorbet didn’t turn out as yummy as it looks. I wish it would hurry up and get warm here. We’ve been freezing and in more of a mood for soup than sorbet. ;(

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~Laura June 21, 2010 at 7:47 pm

That is a total bummer! Especially since you have to refreeze the bowl before you could try something else. Oh, I how I hate to benefit those ice cream men!! Let us know when you get a homemade sorbet that knocks it out of the park and I know you will!

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Christine @ Fresh Local and Best June 21, 2010 at 8:04 pm

I love the new header you have on your blog, it’s beautiful!
That’s to bad that this recipe did not turn out well. Each of the ingredients sounded good, but I can see why the combination wouldn’t work out.

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M @ Betty Crapper June 21, 2010 at 8:10 pm

Love the line “It tasted funk.”

Kristen @ Motherese mentioned a pomegranate cherry sorbet. My husband loves pomegranate cherry juice. Our supermarket carries it next to the 100% pomegranate juice. You should try and make a sorbet with that.

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Amber June 21, 2010 at 8:38 pm

You are one awesome momma. My kid gets a Popsicle and only if she’s really lucky. Just kidding.

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Linda at Bar Mitzvahzilla June 22, 2010 at 12:07 am

Well, at least you were saved by the ice cream truck! My evil gated neighborhood means no ice cream trucks ever. And those were some of my fondest memories of childhood (well, anything eating really was…).

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Shelley June 22, 2010 at 1:12 am

I often dilute my fruit juice with water, lemonade (more like 7-up what Brits call lemonade), or tonic. Most juices are just too full on for me. Also, I’m thinking 2 flavours at most – summer calls for keeping it simple. POM is the new ‘super food’ but I reckon cranberry is still super enough…

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Contemporary Troubadour June 22, 2010 at 12:55 pm

Flavor disco! Yep, I can see how that might arise from the recipe. I once had a pineapple-rhubarb-caramel-coconut bread pudding at a restaurant that shall remain nameless. The flavors just refused to gel …

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Biz June 22, 2010 at 1:56 pm

Sorry it didn’t taste good, but it looks delicious!

LOVE the new layout!! And thank goodness for the icecream truck! :D

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Christine LaRocque June 22, 2010 at 2:00 pm

Referee, oh how I get it. It’s just starting at my house, the battles between the 4 year old and the 16 month old, so for now they are entertaining, but I know that soon the entertainment will be over, and I will be irritated. It’s just around the corner. And ice cream, I LOVE IT. But I’m nowhere as noble as you. I just buy the carton :-)

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Belinda Munoz + The Halfway Point June 22, 2010 at 2:00 pm

Gorgeous new look! I may hit up Sarah for a spicer-upper for my site.

Sorry about the sucky sorbet. The photo looks good, though.

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Heather of the EO June 22, 2010 at 3:37 pm

Dude. I love the new digs. Seriously.

Is it ok that I call you “dude?”

It’s a term of endearment at my house. Just so you know.
And for some reason Perez Hilton’s blog popped up in the website line above, after I put my name in…weird.

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Liz June 22, 2010 at 5:38 pm

Wow…nice new digs. Everyone’s been fancyin’ it up around town…and I keep taking off out of town! Funky sorbet? Can’t say I’ve ever had that experience, but I do love me some ice cream man….

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Jane June 22, 2010 at 5:54 pm

Now if I could just get me an ice cream maker……:( I actually think this sounds good – without the chocolate.

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Aging Mommy June 22, 2010 at 6:10 pm

Love your new look! Simply fabulous!

I have never owned an ice cream maker, all my ice cream has been made by hand, but I admit I’ve not made any for a very long time but some summer sorbet sounds wonderful

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Emily June 23, 2010 at 7:26 am

What a funny story, and so well told. I especially liked “bribes” crossed out and replaced with “emergencies”. ;) I have yet to try sorbet for myself but have seen a few recipes on various blogs here and there that I am tempted to try. Not being much of a baker, the thought of making ice-creamy dessert kind of intimidates me. Maybe it’s one of the many things I need to try now that I am unemployed and have the time! =)

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TheKitchenWitch June 23, 2010 at 3:34 pm

FutureBlackmail: My ice cream machine is a Cuisinart and it rocks! I love it! It’s not horribly expensive, either, which I love.

Thanks for all of the nice feedback on the new digs…gotta tell you, that Sarah at Momalom is worth EVERY penny as a web designer.

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Kelly June 24, 2010 at 8:15 pm

I was thinking you were going to fail at a recipe. I should’ve known only the recipe could fail! I agree, it looks delish. Too bad.

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Foodie in Berlin June 25, 2010 at 12:32 am

I love your blog! I have a 16 month old and I have recently started my own blog to do some thing non-baby related. But I find it really funny to read other peoples trials and tribulations with kiddies. And of course my favorite subject which is food!

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faemom June 25, 2010 at 7:19 pm

I hate when I make something and it sucks.

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grace June 26, 2010 at 2:30 am

it doesn’t surprise me to hear that this concoction was less than extraordinary, taste-wise, at least. it’s pretty, but ALL those flavors together? perhaps giada was distracted by trying to find a more revealing top. :)

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