Description
Cardamom Plum Sorbet delivers a sophisticated dance of Persian-inspired flavors, blending ripe summer plums with aromatic cardamom. Cool spice and fruity notes create an elegant dessert that refreshes palates and transports diners to exotic culinary landscapes you’ll savor with each delicate spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (454 grams) plums, halved
- 5 cardamom pods, crushed
- 1 vanilla bean pod, split and seeds scraped
Sweeteners:
- 1¼ cups (250 grams) sugar
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1½ cups (355 milliliters) water
- Fresh plums for serving, pitted and sliced (optional)
Instructions
- Ignite the oven to 375°F (190°C), preparing for the plum transformation.
- Arrange plum halves in a roasting dish with their cut sides facing upward, generously sprinkle granulated sugar, drizzle fresh lemon juice, scatter whole cardamom pods, and nestle a fragrant vanilla bean alongside the fruit.
- Roast the plums for approximately 30 minutes until they become tender and release their luscious juices, then allow them to cool completely at room temperature.
- Carefully extract the plum pits, preserving all the delectable roasting liquids while discarding the solid remnants.
- Create a delicate cardamom-infused syrup by combining water and sugar in a saucepan, bringing the mixture to a rolling boil, then removing from heat to steep the cardamom pods for precisely 10 minutes.
- Strain the aromatic syrup, eliminating the spent cardamom pods and retaining the fragrant liquid.
- Purée the roasted plums with the reserved cooking juices and strained cardamom syrup using a high-powered blender until achieving a silky-smooth consistency.
- Press the puréed mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to ensure an impeccably smooth texture, removing any potential fibrous remnants.
- Refrigerate the plum mixture for approximately 2 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the temperature to drop.
- Transfer the chilled mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions until it reaches a soft-frozen state.
- Scoop the churned sorbet into a freezer-safe container, smoothing the surface for an even freeze.
- Allow the sorbet to solidify completely in the freezer for at least 6 hours or ideally overnight.
- When ready to serve, let the sorbet soften slightly at room temperature for 3-5 minutes, then garnish with fresh plum slices for an elegant presentation.
Notes
- Roasting plums intensifies their natural sweetness, creating a deeper, more complex flavor profile for the sorbet.
- Straining the puree ensures a silky-smooth texture, removing any unwanted bits of skin or seeds.
- Steeping cardamom pods in sugar syrup releases their aromatic oils, infusing the dessert with a warm, exotic essence.
- Chilling the mixture before churning helps achieve a creamier, more refined sorbet consistency.
- Freezing overnight allows flavors to meld and develop, resulting in a more harmonious and refined dessert experience.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 5 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: <1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg