Monday, July 16, 2012

The Ultimate Dessert Salad--Mixed Balsamic Berries with Lemon Sorbet


A guest post by Finn the Cooking Assistant (aka the dog picker)

A salad is whatever you make it

The long story made short is I spent hours drooling over my post, with connections to this farm and this one and I even mentioned this great home delivery service that you simply have to try if you have a canine friend at home.   Then someone deleted the entire post.  I'm not saying who the guilty party is, but you might guess by Chloe's look of shock and the stink eye, I'm flashing at the photographer in this photo.  



I'll just nibble a few of these berries to soothe my frayed nerves.  



I'm working on a piece of art here, and Management doesn't seem to get it.  I am  a model!  Am I just barking to the wind???


And now we must move on to another project.  At least you get the recipe.  And the good news is, the recipe is delicious. I mean, really how could you possibly go wrong with berries?  Unless they're moldy.  Which brings me to a couple essential tips for selection and storage:

  • Use berries the day you buy them or freeze for future use.  Never buy berries in big buckets because they crush easily and once one is moldy it quickly spreads to the other berries, even if you don't see it, mold spores probably contaminated them.

  • Extend the life of strawberries by placing only good ones in a single layer in a Tupperware.  Put a paper towel over the top, then add another layer of berries.  Seal the Tupperware and they should last a few days.

  • Freeze most organic berries from farms you know in the containers they're packed in.  When frozen solid use a Food Saver to seal and extend their life in the freezer.  Make sure the berries are frozen before sealing or you will have berry juice.  For strawberries: remove stems and place in a single layer on a cookie sheet to freeze.


  We got mulberries from Grouse Mountain Farm, raspberries from Hayton Farms and the anise hyssop comes from Let Us Farm.  Oh how I'd love to live on a farm if only for one day.

The Ultimate Berry Salad 

3 to 4 cups fresh berries (use your favorites, but include a few soft berries such as strawberries or boysenberries)
1/4 cup good balsamic vinegar or berry dessert wine
A sprinkling of sugar or drizzle of honey
1 tablespoon anise hyssop or fresh basil finely chopped
A dusting of grated coconut
Lemon sorbet

Combine all ingredients except coconut.  Refrigerate for one hour.  Sprinkle coconut over the top and serve over lemon sorbet.


I'll return next week with more neighborhood tales.  In the meantime check out my new tatoo collar.  Have a great week!!


7 comments:

Unknown said...

What a lovely Blog, great recipes and photos. I love you berry salad, have always marinated Strawberries but will try a mix now

Ellen said...

This sounds great! Bookmarked it to try next week.

Thanks for visiting me at A Season for All Things. I'm your newest follower and look forward to reading more of your blog.

Carole said...

Lovely salad. It would be great if you linked it in to today's Food on Friday which is collecting salad recipes.

Carole said...

You are a star for linking up. Isn't there now a great collection of salad ideas. And more are still coming in. Cheers

Miz Helen said...

Hi Debra and Finn,
Finn you just help yourself to those berries, but please leave enough for me, they look delicious. I love your salad Debra, just perfect for summertime. Hope you are having a great summer week end and thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen

Debra Daniels-Zeller said...

Thanks so much for stopping by. Love summer berries; one reason I'd never move away from the Northwest.

Debbie @ Easy Natural Food said...

Wow, this looks fantastic! love your fresh and sophisticated take on fruit salad. Pinning it!