3 July 2010

Strawberry Frozen Yogurt and a Happy 4th

Strawberry Frozen Yogurt

First of all, I'd also like to wish all of my American friends a safe and happy July 4th. We hope you have been enjoying your long weekend!!! One thing that is a given is that I have no doubt in my mind that your weekend has been filled with delicious food for your family and friends. In my own little world L'il Burnt Toast and The Boy were here from Vancouver on the weekend, so, I spent yesterday afternoon in good company with dinner at the future in-laws parents...does that make them grand in-laws? They are grand!!!



It doesn't take much to make me happy in the summer, especially when L'il Burnt Toast visits. Give me my Adirondack chair on the porch  and a bowl of freshly picked strawberries and my day is made. No... make that my summer is made! When the first of the local strawberries made their appearance (always worth the wait), I started to think ahead, remembering how quickly this season tends to fly by.  We are now celebrating the arrival of cherries so strawberries are now at the tail end of their season, but this would still work wonderfully with the smaller and more intensely flavoured end-of-the-season strawberries. They are not just for jam anymore!

For the first recipe of the season I usually make strawberry shortcake for my loved ones but I found an ingredient, previously unknown to K-town shoppers, that inspired me to go a different and deliciously refreshing route.

Whenever I go to Pike Place Market in Seattle I head straight for Mr. D's Greek Deli and purchase several containers of Greek yogurt. A few weeks ago I was shopping at our local Choices and was thrilled to find this:



Yes Greek yogurt right here in K-Town. I haven't been this excited since I spent 5 weeks in Greece!!! So the idea of making a frozen Greek yogurt was born!!!

This recipe comes from David Lebovitz the "King" of ice cream making. You will find recipes from his book "The Perfect Scoop" all over the blogosphere. David says, "You can use Greek-style yogurt, which is three times richer than whole milk yogurt. Slicing the berries and tossing them in sugar makes the strawberries bright red in color and can make ho-hum berries quite delicious."

Use a good-quality, whole milk or Greek-style yogurt for best results. Healthy,better for you, but still a creamy, rich treat by any standard. Go ahead and pamper yourself!
NOTE: I forgot to mention that the addition of vodka or kirsch prevents the frozen yogurt from freezing completely. This is a David Lebovitz little trick. If you have ever made homemade ice cream you will appreciate this fact. Plus it adds a little extra boost of flavour as you all mentioned as well. Thanks for commenting:D



** David's Frozen Strawberry Yogurt**

1 pound (450g) strawberries, rinsed and hulled
2/3 cup (130g) sugar
 2 teaspoons (10 mL) vodka or kirsch (optional but a good idea)
1 cup (240g) plain whole milk yogurt (Greek yogurt is a good choice)
1 teaspoon (5 mL) fresh lemon juice

Slice the strawberries into small pieces. Toss in a bowl with the sugar and vodka or kirsch (if using) until the sugar begins to dissolve. Cover with plastic wrap and let stand at room temperature for 2 hours, stirring every so often.

Transfer the strawberries and their juice to a blender or food processor. Add the yogurt and fresh lemon juice. Pulse the machine until the mixture is smooth. If you wish, press mixture through a mesh strainer to remove any seeds.

Chill for 1 hour, then freeze in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Makes about a quart.

You are reading this post on More Than Burnt Toast at http://morethanburnttoast.blogspot.com. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the author/owner of More Than Burnt Toast. All rights reserved by Valerie Harrison. Best Blogger Tips

18 comments:

  1. Happy 4th of July! That frozen yogurt must taste heavenly!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  2. Simple things on summer makes me happy too.
    I love frozen yogurt

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  3. Val...I'll follow your route to anywhere anytime! If it means getting this delicious healthy and refreshing treat...I'll pull up my adirondack chair next to yours right away;o)
    BTW...here in Quebec...our strawberries are still in their prime. Just this morning I was freezing some up for my sorbet mousse ;o)
    Great recipe and thanks for sharing...oh yes...Vodka will be a good idea indeed ;)

    Have a great weekend,
    Claudia

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  4. Val, I fell in love with Greek yogurt a while back and now use nothing else! I'll try this one!
    xoxo Pattie

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  5. I love the thickness of Greek yogurt (plus all of the protein packed goodness doesn't hurt either). It sounds like it would make the perfect base for a frozen yogurt! And what better flavoring than strawberries...delicious.

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  6. Back in around March, I discovered we could FINALLY get Greek yogurt in Toronto, after years and years of only being able to buy it across the border. I can't tell you how much I bought/ate in those first few weeks of "discovering" this wonderful product. Now I have a new use for it. This recipe sounds so cool and refreshing (and delicious!), thank you!

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  7. This recipe is most welcome--and with the vodka or kirsch added of course.

    Happy 4th!

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  8. Boozy fro-yo? Count me in! I'll be making this one!

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  9. My dear Vall this look absolutely delicious, I love this type of dessert, have a lovely day, huggs gloria

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  10. Now that does look delicious. The color alone will wake the taste buds. I hope you are having a great day. Blessings...Mary

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  11. It looks heavenly, Val! This fro yo recipe is one of my absolute favorites. It's so easy and soooo delicious! Enjoy!

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  12. I have never made frozen yogurt. I guess it is time.

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  13. This is my favorite "ice cream" book ever! I had it from the library last summer...but I think I need to buy it...I'm missing it now! Your long weekend sounds lovely =) And the froyo looks heavenly!

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  14. I'm totally with you when it comes to using Greek yoghurt in ice cream based recipes. And the vodka is quite a wicked touch...mmm!

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  15. This looks like a great summer dessert. I love the richness and thickness of Greek yogurt too, and adding liqueur makes it all the better!

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  16. Happy belated 4th of July Val! You have manged to capture summer in a beautiful little bowl!! Can't wait to give this one a try!!

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  17. as if i needed a reason to add booze... :)
    this looks marvelous, val!

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  18. Now how good is that? Oh my! Delicious, nutritious, beautiful and a perfect summer indulgence... you never cease to amaze me with your culinary prowess, Val. On such a regular basis you make the most gorgeous and mouthwatering food.
    :)
    Valerie

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Welcome to my home. Thank you for choosing to stay a while and for sharing our lives through food. I appreciate all your support, comments, suggestions, and daily encouragement.

Val

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