Limes, limes and more limes.....
I love citrus! My lime tree is about three years old and after our severe frost this past Spring I thought for sure my lime crop would be limited...NOT. The photo above is what I picked from just one branch.
So what to do with so many limes? I dug through my cookbooks and found a few recipes for sorbet. When it is 117 degrees outside what could be better than a nice frozen dessert! Most recipes called for white sugar and I wanted to try a version using agave syrup so I created my own recipe. I also added basil; unbelievably it is thriving in my garden right now. This is a super easy recipe that I hope you will enjoy as much as I do. I love my ice cream/sorbet maker, just be sure your freezer bowl is frozen solid.
Lime Basil Sorbet - makes four servings
1 and 2/3 cups water
3/4 cup agave syrup
1/2 cup fresh lime juice
5 to 6 fresh basil leaves
Zest of 3 limes
Pinch of freshly ground nutmeg (if desired)
Green food coloring (if desired)
In small saucepan combine the water and agave syrup over medium high heat. Bring to a boil and boil for 1 minute. Remove pan from heat and pour into a glass measuring cup. Place the measuring cup in the fridge to cool for about an hour.
When cool add the syrup/water mixture, lime juice, basil, nutmeg and green food coloring to the blender. Blend for 2-3 minutes. Add the lime zest and immediately pour mixture into frozen base of an ice cream/sorbet maker. Follow ice cream/sorbet maker instructions; mine takes approximately 25 minutes to turn to sorbet consistency. Serve immediately garnished with basil leaves and strawberries. If not enjoying immediately place in a storage container and freeze until firm.
Tribute to Mom......she has been gone 7 years this week
It's hard to believe it has been seven years this week since my Mom passed away. Years before she passed away she and my Dad created a Beneficiary Notebook - it included all their important documents as well as what they each wanted as their final wishes. My Mom was a humble woman and she didn't want a lot of fuss. Her wishes were simple. We included all her favorites in her memorial service; hummingbirds on memorial program, Willie Nelson songs as guests arrived, an Irish Blessing read during her service and at the end, a treat for everyone that came. We placed chocolate Hershey Kisses in baskets and two of her grandson's shared the basket of chocolate treats with all the guests as they left the service.
After her service one of their neighbors hosted a gathering in the back yard of their home. ALL the neighbors had pitched in and provided a lovely, simple luncheon to honor Mom. After all the guests left, we were sitting in the shaded backyard and a handful of hummingbirds fluttered around us. We took it as a sign that Mom was happy and was graciously thanking us for making her day be so special.
Among my Mom's important documents was a list of what she wanted each of her children to receive when she passed. I received a special ring I referred to as "the rock". A week before she passed away I went home for a visit. Mom had many therapists and nurses coming and going and I joked with her that in all the hustle and bustle of activity, she might misplace my "rock". She jokingly asked me to go retrieve the ring from her dresser and said we should hide it somewhere that only she, Dad and I would know where it was. We decided to hide the "rock" in the pocket of an orange shirt in my Dad's closet. The joke being, Dad never got rid of anything and there would be no chance that the shirt and the "rock" would be given away. Little did we know that six days later she would pass away. I now have the "rock" and think of her every time I wear it to special occasions.
When my Dad was finally at the place where he could start going through my Mom's things, I asked if he would save Mom's nightgowns for me. My thought, cut the nightgowns into squares and make a quilt! Well I still have the box of nightgowns and am still cutting the squares a little at a time. I have a long way to go! But then I got to thinking about my blog. I pulled out the nightgowns and a thought came to me - I could make an apron out of her nightgowns! So using four of her nightgowns I started cutting.
I used the top as a halter bodice and the bottom ruffles of each of the nightgowns to create the lower part of the apron. Here is a picture of my niece modeling the finished apron.
So Mom, just to let you know I'm still thinking of you! Now a part of you is in the kitchen with me when I am cooking! Something as simple as her nightgowns has brought me so much joy.
So what unique memento do you cherish from your lost loved one?
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