So I’m playing mommy to four kids for the next few days. This is one of the highlights of summer for me since I get to spend quality time with four of my nieces and nephews. There never seems to be enough time to do everything on the list but Christian (18), JC (15), Isabella (13) and Alana (8) are some of the most gracious kids I know. This has been an annual event since I moved back to the Bay Area 10 years ago and I dread the day when they decide it’s no longer cool to hang out with me. Until that time comes I’ll take advantage of “now” and by then, Alyson (4) and Carina (3) will be old enough to join the group.
I’m finding that my time management skills are seriously lacking when it comes to kids. We finished breakfast at 10:30, arrived at the Exploratorium at noon and didn’t have lunch until mid-afternoon. After an early evening swim, this is the first lull of the day and everyone’s still too full to have the dinner I prepared. How do you moms do it? Hats off to you!
I did have time to prep this sorbet before breakfast, though that’s not saying much. Puréeing the cantaloupe and heating it up with sugar was all I needed to do before letting the ice cream machine do the rest this afternoon. The result of my minimal efforts was a wonderfully refreshing sorbet. The sugar enhanced the natural sweetness of the cantaloupe, fresh-tasting and very fruity.
The recipe I used called this a sherbet but I think it’s really a sorbet. A quick check on the web explains that while sherbets and sorbets use the same base ingredients, sherbets usually contain dairy. Whatever you may choose to call this, it’s a winner.
Cantaloupe Sorbet
Adapted from Chez Panisse Desserts
- 3 pounds ripe sweet cantaloupes
- 7/8 cup sugar
Scoop out the seeds of the sliced melons, being careful not to cut too close to the rind. Purée in a blender and measure out four cups.
Put one cup of the purée in a saucepan with the sugar and heat until the sugar is dissolved. Stir constantly.
Pour this mixture into the remaining melon puree and chill. I let mine chill for a few hours and transferred to the freezer about 15 minutes before I was ready to finish in the ice cream maker. Freeze according to your ice cream maker instructions.
I love your presentation in the melon… very cute! Hope you have a blast with your nieces and nephews! I love spending time with mine too 🙂
WOW cantaloupe sorbet sounds (and looks) amazing! you’ve got me craving some now!
I love canteloupe and would be sure to love this sorbet. I like the idea of mixing sugar with some of the puree rather than adding simple syrup–results in a more intense flavor, I bet.
Complimenti!
Beautiful photos! I love the cantaloupe colors and the mint. It’s amazing how simple ingredients: cantaloupe plus sugar can be made into delicious sorbet. I’ve never made ice cream and sorbets before, I definitely have to try this out soon. Perfect for the summer!
Sounds like you’re doing a great job, Auntie! Bebe E and I sometimes don’t eat lunch until 2pm, depending on the day. 🙂 Your sorbet looks so refreshing!
Hi Jean, have fun this weekend, I laughed when I saw you made cantaloupe sorbet, I think we like the same things or maybe shop at the same market, anyway it looks delicious and your photos are fantastic, I love the sorbet inside the cantaloupe, take care, Patty
If I have learned nothing over the years of being a mom, it’s that Aunts are for having fun not structure. All rules and schedules go out the window when I send my kids to my sister-in-law’s house, but that’s the fun of it.
The cantaloupe sorbet sounds So refreshing. Very clever to save on dishes.
This looks so good! It sounds like the kids have a lot of fun with you so I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s not many years before they think it’s uncool to hang with you.
Great pics and presentation! I love Chez Panisse- don’t have the desserts book, but some day…
I have so been enjoying canteloupe these past two weeks. It is so ripe and sweet right now. This looks like a wonderful way to highlight the peak of its season. I love it…and your photos are stunning.
You are a great auntie and these memories you create with your nieces and nephews will be treasured, I’m sure, for all the years to come.
I luv cantaloupe and can only imagine how refreshing and tasty it must be in a sorbet or sherbert. Great presentation back in the cantaloupe and adorable dish!
This sorbet looks so light and refreshing, I am so tempted to male it; we have had a bounty of peaches here and I may replace the canteloupe with these peaches instead.
congrats on the top 9!!
Again, I covet the ice cream maker! This sounds great and I agree, the presentation in the melon is charming!
I love spending time with my niece and nephew, spoiling them, then sending them home where their parents then are left fielding questions like: why can’t we just go and do that…auntie Pam did or why don’t you cook like auntie Pam does? LOL This is payback for all the stuff my little brother put me through.
This sorbet sounds delicious. Just letting the fruit flavors come through all by themselves.
I don’t have kids yet but I too struggle with time management with the hubby. Hahaha! This looks so refreshing. I love cantaloupes, I ball them or shave them into strips and put them in a tall pitcher with cold water and simple syrup. Now I have another way to eat my cantaloupes, thanks to you. Beautiful shots by the way!
I almost made something like this for the 4th, but I didn’t… So glad you did bc it is an amazing idea, with the refreshing sorbet and serving it in the cantaloupe half! 🙂 Congrats on Top 9!
Your Sorbet looks wonderful and congrats on Top 9!
This looks so beautiful and refreshing!! My kids love cantaloupe and they love ice cream so this is a sure hit.
Don’t beat yourself up too badly on the poor time management. Many of us mom’s still haven’t got it completely figured out either!!
Happy Monday!
This cantaloupe sorbet was the best I’ve ever tasted! Have you even eaten so much that you feel like your stomach was going to explode, well, after the family BBQ, that’s exactly how I felt. On my way out the door, I remembered that I still didn’t get a taste of the sorbet , well, is the BEST I’ve ever tasted ; scrumptious , is an understatement . Having ice-cream during really hot days just makes me thirsty. This was light and refreshing, I even enjoyed it on a full stomach . It also, reminds me of a drink that my dad would make for us as kids, cantaloupe water ;that’s yummy too .I guess we just come from a family that likes to cook and most importantly LOVES TO EAT
I want this right now. This looks like summer in the sand!